Specialist - Literacy & Writing (7–12) - 2026-2027

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.   

Job Summary: 

The Disciplinary Literacy & Writing Specialist provides districtwide leadership for literacy and writing across grades 7–12. This position ensures all students build and apply strong interdisciplinary reading, writing, and communication skills. The specialist collaborates with directors, coordinators, and regional teams to promote solid instructional design, appropriately rigorous instruction, select and implement high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), and align professional learning, assessment, and curriculum to ensure all students graduate prepared for college, career, and community success.

Key Responsibilities: 

Curriculum & Instruction

• Provide leadership in designing, implementing, and monitoring evidence-based literacy instruction aligned to Arizona English Language Arts Standards and district frameworks.
• Lead the design, alignment, and continuous improvement of literacy and writing instruction across secondary grade levels.
• Support HQIM selection, implementation, and evaluation for English Language Arts and literacy-rich instruction in other content areas.
• Guide the integration of reading and writing strategies across disciplines, emphasizing argumentation, research, and communication.
• Collaborate with Specialized Student Services and Language Development & Multilingual Programs specialists to ensure accessibility and appropriate scaffolds for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
  

Assessment & Data

• Support the design, implementation, and refinement of literacy and writing benchmarks and formative assessment practices.
• Analyze literacy data to identify trends, gaps, and areas for instructional improvement.
• Provide analysis and recommendations to improve literacy and writing outcomes across content areas.
• Collaborate with instructional coaches and regional leads to use assessment data to drive decision-making, interventions, and enrichment.

Professional Learning

• Design and facilitate professional learning for regional leads, instructional coaches, and teachers focused on disciplinary literacy, writing instruction, and text-based analysis.
• Model effective instructional practices and collaborate with site-based coaches to strengthen teacher capacity.
• Develop and maintain district resources and exemplar materials supporting consistent literacy and writing practices.
  

Collaboration & Compliance

• Serve as district liaison to Arizona Department of Education and professional networks related to secondary literacy and writing.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of research and policy impacting literacy education.
• Support vertical articulation between elementary and secondary literacy programs.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure compliance with state standards and alignment with district goals.

General

• Perform other duties as assigned to support Mesa Public Schools’ academic goals and Portrait of a Graduate.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction, or a related field.
• Current Arizona teaching certificate with endorsement or certification in Secondary English Language Arts or Reading and SEI endorsement.
• Minimum of three years of successful classroom teaching experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in English, Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
• Reading Specialist or Literacy Coach certification or experience.
• Completion of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS).
• Experience leading HQIM adoptions or curriculum evaluations.
• Experience supporting special education and multilingual learners through differentiated literacy instruction.
• Experience supporting cross-disciplinary literacy initiatives.
• Experience designing and leading professional learning. 

Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of adolescent literacy, writing pedagogy, disciplinary literacy frameworks, and assessment practices.
• Demonstrated expertise in writing instruction, text-based analysis, and disciplinary literacy practices.
• Knowledge of writing integration across contents.
• Ability to design and implement assessment for learning, including performance assessments.
• Understanding of personalized learning practices and strategies to promote student agency.
• Skill in designing and facilitating professional learning that builds capacity among adults.
• Ability to use data to inform instruction and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting student data to inform instructional decisions.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills to build capacity across district teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Commitment to ensuring rigorous academic outcomes for all students.
• Models the essential attitudes and skills of Mesa Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate.
• Knowledge of instructional design, assessment, intervention frameworks, and progress monitoring tools.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to guide program improvement.
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills for working with educators and leaders across grade levels.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Technologically fluent with Microsoft, Google Workspace, Canvas, and related platforms to support data and communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptability and creativity in responding to the evolving needs of educators and students.
• Deep knowledge of applicable state laws, district policies, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to identify needs, determine interventions, and assess with progress monitoring tools.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Primarily office-based with frequent district site visits.
• Occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• Fast-paced, high-stakes environment requiring adaptability and responsiveness.
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands for typing and handling documents.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Visual acuity for reading and computer work.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:  

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.