Comprehensive Literacy State Development; CLSD Specialist

Position: Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Specialist
The Northeast Missouri Regional Professional Development Center mission is to build the capacity of educators and schools to maximize student performance through high-quality professional development. The Center is part of DESE's State-wide System of Support and is totally grant-funded. It is located on the campus of Truman State University.

This 12-month, full-time, professional position will provide educators at CLSD 2024 selected schools with support to assist districts in the development and implementation of effective instructional methods, assessments and/or activities related to improving academic performance and advancing literacy skills in kindergarten-5th grade, as well as improve practices of building literacy coaches and educators by implementing effective evidence-based instructional practices and strategies.

This position will require travel in the northeast region, as well as in-state travel to state meetings and conferences.

RESPONSIBILITIES

* Provide training to CLSD schools on

* best practice for effective literacy acquisition, instruction and intervention in support of science of reading teaching practices;

* high-quality instructional materials supported by DESE initiatives.

* Provide training

* and mentoring to building literacy/instructional coaches that supports the effectiveness of coaching classroom teachers on classroom implementation of the LETRS professional development course and/or instruction aligned with the science of reading;

* in the area of the five components of literacy instruction; phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension, as they relate to reading, writing, spelling, listening and speaking.

* All training activities must focus on support for administration, teachers, and school coaches participating in the grant program.

* Provide coaching

* to classroom teachers on classroom implementation of the LETRS professional development course and/or instruction aligned with the science of reading;

* on developing classroom and local assessment, as requested.

* Participate in all grant activities with CLSD schools.

* Serve as a mentor for CLSD school coaches.

* Assist

* all partner districts in improving academic achievement of students;

* educators in implementing effective, evidenced-based instructional practices and strategies;

* identified districts within the region to improve post-secondary outcomes for students;

* DESE with the collection of data for state-wide analysis.

* Attend and participate in collaborative planning meetings with other literacy coaches within and across regions, as well as literacy planning meetings with other literacy coaches and consultants.

* Attend and actively participate in state-wide monthly resource, support, and training meetings.

* Attend and participate in regional and national conferences as requested by DESE.

* Other duties and functions as assigned.

Truman offers an attractive benefits package including: paid sick and vacation time; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; and retirement plan. Paid parental leave and tuition discount are available for eligible employees after one year. For more information, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Required Qualifications

* Elementary or secondary content-specific teaching certificate.

* Three years of classroom experience.

* Completion or the willingness to complete Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Volume 1 and Volume 2 Training.

* Experience with the science of reading and associated instruction, intervention, and assessment practices.

Preferred Qualifications

* Ability to express complex ideas to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

* Ability to meet deadlines.

* Ability to manage diverse activities.

* Understanding of significant research in the field of literacy education and the ability to apply the findings to the improvement of instruction.

* Ability to analyze complex educational problems and develop feasible solutions.

* Growth mindset and interest in finding supports to motivate greater learning for students and teachers.