Literacy Specialist

Kearsley Community Schools is seeking highly qualified internal candidates to serve asa 6-12 Literacy Specialist.

The 6-12 Literacy Specialist will provide leadership and systems support to strengthen literacy instruction across grades 6-12 in alignment with Michigan’s K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, district priorities, and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. This role will support the development of coherent, vertically aligned literacy practices that improve Tier 1 instruction, increase student engagement and discourse, and ensure access to high-quality literacy learning experiences for all students.

Working in collaboration with district and ISD staff, the Literacy Specialist will lead the creation of secondary IRIPs in accordance with Michigan law requirements. The Literacy Specialist will collaborate closely with teachers, instructional leaders, intervention staff, and district teams to support continuous improvement efforts focused on adolescent literacy, differentiation, and evidence-based structured literacy instructional practices.

The 6-12 Literacy Specialist will serve as a teacher leader who facilitates collaboration, student intervention, professional learning for teachers, and continuous improvement within the secondary setting. Responsibilities include leading structured literacy-focused PLC work; supporting curriculum alignment and instructional resource implementation; facilitating professional development aligned to district initiatives; coaching and supporting teachers with structured literacy practices; serving on district and building leadership committees connected to MTSS, school improvement, and structured literacy implementation in alignment with the state of Michigan’s new K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law.

The Literacy Specialist will also support structured literacy onboarding and mentoring efforts for new secondary teachers while helping cultivate a culture of collaboration, reflection, and high expectations for all learners.

Under the direction of the Building Principal and the Executive Director of Curriculum, Assessment & Grants or designee, the6-12 Literacy Specialist
will have the following job requirements:

• Experience using the MTSS framework to provide appropriate and successful interventions for students.
• Knowledgeable in evidence based intervention approaches within each MTSS Academic Tier.
• LETRS certification, Orton-Gillingham + training, REWARDS training, and/or other structured literacy training.
• Experience with using diagnostic assessment tools.
• Experience with staff training or facilitating professional learning experiences.
• Student-centered. Fully committed to supporting at-risk students in Kearsley.
• Team player. Ability to communicate positively and effectively with supervisors and colleagues.
• Proactive. Demonstrated understanding of KCS MTSS framework.
• Leader. Willingness to lead and facilitate professional development for colleagues.
• Builder. Willingness to work with district teams to create sustainable systems in the school district.

The6-12 Literacy Specialist
will have the following job responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and systems support for grades 6-12 literacy instruction in alignment with Michigan’s K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, district priorities, and MTSS frameworks.
• Lead and collaborate with district and ISD staff to develop, create, implement, and monitor secondary Individual Reading Improvement Plans (IRIPs) in accordance with Michigan law requirements.
• Teach at least one hour of secondary intervention instructional programming daily.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based…