Literacy Coach

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability.  At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success. 

Position Summary 

This is a key full-time, grant-funded position for Partners for Rural Impact and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Initiative. Reporting to the IAL Project Director, the Literacy Coach (LC) ensures students receive high quality literacy instruction and will collaborate with the schools’ library media specialists to identify and implement evidence-based and research-based literacy programs, activities, and services. The Literacy Coach will collaborate with school district teachers and leadership to identify evidence-based literacy best practices and connect teachers to impactful professional development. The LC serves as the literacy content expert and provides support on curriculum, high quality interactions, and the science of teaching reading. The LC will monitor student data related to literacy development and will ensure students not at proficiency are provided appropriate services. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.   

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Coordinate and implement high quality reading curriculum 

• Facilitate professional development for teachers 

• Observe teachers, provide feedback, and identify next steps to improve instruction in core ELA instruction for the purpose of support and not evaluation 

• Monitor interventions conducted by the classroom teacher 

• Model exemplar lessons 

• Support lesson preparation using high-quality curriculum 

• Model and support high-quality interactions with students 

• Develop and implement out-of-school literacy programming for students and families 

• Support teachers with effective parent communication and family involvement 

• Attend all required meetings and trainings 

• Analyze data, identify trends, and support teachers to adjust instruction based on data 

• Assist the Project Director in writing and producing required reports 

• Communicate with leadership team on schoolwide literacy progress 

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed 

Position Location & Schedule 

The Literacy Coach will be located primarily in the schools with local, state, and sometimes national travel required. Home office will be in Knott County. 

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours. 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education required to ensure success in this position: 

• Bachelor's degree required in Education, English Language Arts, Counseling or related field; Master’s degree preferred   

Experience required to ensure success in this position: 

• Minimum of three effective years of experience as a certified ELA teacher  

• Proven results when working with struggling readers  

• Strong knowledge of how children learn to read  

• Experience with digital learning  

• Knowledge and experience working with high quality reading curriculum 

Special skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Demonstrated knowledge and leadership in the areas of school reform, parent engagement or program evaluation  

• Experience working in rural schools or communities.  

• Understanding of first generation, low-income youth, and families.  

• A desire to develop innovative approaches to meet outcomes.  

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.  

• Capacity to manage multiple tasks and to meet deadlines and expectations.  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and presentation skills.  

• Experience working in high poverty schools providing services to students and families. 

License, certification, or registration necessary: 

• Valid driver’s license 

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check 

Physical requirements: 

• Ability to work in a high-energy office 

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants 

• Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer software programs 

• Ability to operate motor vehicle 

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane both locally and nationally 

Environmental conditions: 

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities 

• Periodic travel to meetings and events 

• Flexible schedule and ability to travel to meetings off-site 

Additional Company Information  

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family. 

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. 

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program. 

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan. 

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave. 

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees. 

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.