Literacy Specialist - Prep Fifth Ward Secondary

Overview

Description and

Job Description for the position of Literacy Specialist.
REPORTS TO: Director of Academics.
POSITION TYPE: 11-month.
START DATE: 26-27 School Year.
COMPENSATION: Starting at $65,264 annually. At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of a high-performing, team-oriented culture.

We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston’s city limits serving our increasing population.

• Setting clear expectations and standards for excellent literacy instruction in all content areas, along with the Principal and/or Director of Academics.
• Ensuring that students receive outstanding instruction in reading intervention classes by observing and coaching a cohort of reading intervention teachers.
• Ensuring that Emergent Bilingual students (EBs), non-fluent, and dyslexic students are receiving appropriate accommodations in all classrooms by observing and coaching content teachers and collaborating with instructional leadership.
• Tracking progress monitoring of reading intervention teachers and grades of EBs and dyslexic students and using this data to drive coaching.
• Working with district Instructional Coaches to provide targeted support to first- and second-year teachers.
• Working with Home Office leadership on system-wide instructional initiatives.
• Directing campus EB and dyslexia programs to ensure the academic success of these students and maintain compliance with state and federal law.
• Coordinating and directing testing for special populations, including MAP and R-CBM benchmarks, Language Assessment System (LAS) and TELPAS, and dyslexia screenings throughout the year.
• Overseeing the EB compliance work completed by a campus clerk, registrar, or office coordinator.
• Ensuring that EB and dyslexic students receive all appropriate accommodations on high-stakes testing, including STAAR and Common Assessments, and assist in applying for accommodations for dyslexic students taking College Board exams.
• Providing one-on-one or small group literacy instruction to dyslexic students needing Level-2 services (this service is in addition to a regularly scheduled reading intervention class).
• Providing one-on-one or small group interventions in spoken English (beginning EBs), writing or handwriting, or additional time in intervention.
• Assisting in the planning and delivery of professional learning opportunities to campus teachers and staff during beginning of year, as well as selecting professional development days throughout the school year.
• Providing leadership in identifying and acquiring appropriate teaching materials, textbooks, and equipment.
• Teaching a recommended number of two periods of reading intervention per day or serve as a Dean of Instruction for a recommended number of four Reading Intervention teachers.
• Additional duties as assigned.

We seek staff with a multitude of backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through for our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, resilience, and humility. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution
• A Valid Texas Teaching Certificate, with ESL or Bilingual certification
• 3 years of literacy teaching in the classroom
• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core value of YES Prep Public Schools
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once
• Demonstrated ability to work on a team
• A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional

• Teaching experience in the classroom related to Literacy (English,…