Tiered Literacy Systems Coach and Coordinator for Early Literacy (PRISM), Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2026-2027]

Tiered Literacy Systems Coach and Coordinator for Early Literacy (PRISM), Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2026-2027]

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students in 10 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. We invite you to learn more about our strategic plan and core priorities on our website at https://salemk12.org/.

About the Position

The Tiered Literacy Systems Coach and Coordinator will be responsible for the districtwide design, oversight, implementation, and integration of early literacy screening and intervention systems. This role addresses a critical need to move from school-based silos to a coherent, equitable, and sustainable districtwide system. The Coach and Coordinator will ensure that all students, particularly those in K-2, have access to a unified diagnostic process and to evidence-based Tier 2 supports that are closely aligned with Tier 1 instruction.  Additionally, this role will provide targeted support and coaching to educators implementing Tier 2 to strengthen implementation at one of Salem’s elementary schools. 

Responsibilities:

• Unified Diagnostic Framework: Establish and codify districtwide definitions for tiered supports (Tier 1, 2, and 3) and create consistent intervention parameters, including group size, frequency, and duration. Develop a shared diagnostic process that connects universal screening (STAR) and other key data points to specific instructional actions.
  
  
• Progress Monitoring Protocol: Implement a shared district protocol for progress monitoring (using CBMs) that anchors data collection to specific student goals and instructional response.

• Coaching and Capacity Building: Collaborate with school leaders to design intervention services and provide embedded professional learning for staff, including reading specialists, on data interpretation and targeted instruction; provide targeted coaching for teachers to strengthen Tier 2 implementation.
  
  
• Data Integration: In partnership with the Instructional Technology and Student Support departments, lead the transition to a single, districtwide platform (e.g., Open Architects) for tracking intervention data, ensuring it is the "single source of truth and information" for all schools.
  
  
• MTSS Alignment: Refine and standardize the Student Support Team (SST) referral process for early literacy to ensure it is data-driven and consistently applied across all elementary buildings.  Collaborate with elementary City Connects Coordinators to review the SST process in each school for clarity and consistency of practice.

• Learn and Serve: Takes the initiative to proactively learn about unique contexts for this work including Dual Language, Multilingual Learner Education, and Early Childhood and intentionally and proactively adjusts and refines systems to meet those unique needs in partnership with Early Childhood and DL leaders

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. In this position, candidates will bring:

• Expertise in Literacy Systems: Deep knowledge of the DESE MTSS Blueprint, Mass Literacy guidance, WIDA Proficiency Scales, and the MA Dyslexia Guidelines.
  
  
• Diagnostic Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to use screening and diagnostic data (STAR, CBMs) to identify specific skill gaps and form instructional groups.
  
  
• Leadership & Coaching: Experience building staff capacity through embedded professional learning and facilitating data-informed instruction (DII) meetings.
  
  
• System Management: Ability to manage district-level data platforms and monitor implementation fidelity across multiple school sites

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level.  We expect our SPS employees to:

• Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work.  

• Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues – You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values and seeking opportunities to continuously improve.

• Embrace feedback – You are a reflective practitioner who learns from failure, using mistakes and challenges as opportunities for growth. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback.

Essential Attributes:

• Holds an unwavering belief that every student and teacher in Salem can grow and succeed.
• Skilled in providing equitable access to the curriculum, particularly in underserved populations.
• Able to work collaboratively and flexibly as part of a team.
• Has a strong work ethic, is self-directed, and has the ability to work independently.
• Has a demonstrated skill-set in leading adults and organizing projects.
• Has a demonstrated skill-set in building systems and leading change
• Self-reflects and accepts feedback with a growth mindset.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree (Required); Master’s Degree (Preferred)
• Required Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure (Reading Specialist licensure is preferred)
• Three or more years of successful literacy teaching at the elementary level
• Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement (Required within 1-year of start date)
• Experience with effectively using and monitoring evidence-based Tier 2 reading interventions (experience with Enhanced Core Reading Instruction - ECRI strongly preferred)
• Deep understanding of foundational skills reading instruction
• Experience working in a diverse, urban environment (preferred)
• Extensive knowledge of the MA ELA curriculum frameworks/standards 
• Bilingual candidates and candidates of color strongly encouraged to apply
• Current authorization to work in the United States

Work Year: Teachers in Salem Public Schools work a 192 day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days plus 7 additional days to be scheduled with supervisor). Please click here to view the 2026-27 district and/or school calendars. 

Salary: Teacher salaries in the Salem Public Schools are determined by the Salem Teachers Union collective bargaining agreement (2024-2027). Salary information can be found in Appendix A. Instructional Coaches receive an additional $3,500 stipend for the 7 additional days.

Benefits: The City of Salem offers Group Insurance Commission (GIC) benefits to all full-time employees. Click here for more information about our health benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, housing status, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Salary : $59,720 - $116,414