Literacy Specialist; part-time), St. Alphonsus, Seattle

St. Alphonsus Parish School is a vibrant learning community that prioritizes knowledge-rich curricula, teacher-led instruction, and virtue formation.

We are seeking a dedicated Literacy Specialist for grades K-3. This is a part-time position (0.6 FTE).

This position has two main components:
1) providing targeted intervention for both struggling and excelling spellers and readers,
2) coaching teachers in 1:1 and PLC settings to improve literacy instruction.

The Literacy Specialist must be willing and able to work within the school's curriculum, Literacy Essentials and Core Knowledge. The Literacy Specialist reports to the Learning Resource Specialist and Vice Principal.

• 8:30am-2pm (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
• No scheduled hours on Wednesday

Literacy Essentials:
The Journey From Spelling to Reading® teaches children to read by presenting a thorough, explicit, multisensory explanation of the sound-symbol relationship for the spelling patterns of English (phonetics), as well as the rules and consistencies governing their use in English words (orthography). There is an early emphasis on spelling, as research reveals that children who can spell a word can always read it, but the reverse is not true.

Learn more here:

Core Knowledge focuses on providing students with content-rich texts to build strong foundations for later learning and open doors to effective participation and mutual understanding in the wider society. Such knowledge is possessed by successful adults and taken for granted by literate writers and speakers. It's the broad and diverse knowledge that makes responsible citizenship possible. Learn more here: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

St. Alphonsus is a PS-8th grade Catholic school with 185 students and one class per grade level. Ideally, K-3 classes spend 90 minutes daily on literacy instruction, often chunked in multiple segments throughout the day. The school adopted Literacy Essentials and Core Knowledge in Fall 2022. Since that time, the school's MAP reading scores have been among the top in both private and public schools.

• Bachelor's degree in education, or related field
• Experience teaching an Orton-based literacy program in grades K-3
• Experience coaching teachers in literacy instruction (preferred)
• Practicing Catholic (preferred)

Must be trained or attend training in the Literacy Essentials program. The school will pay for associated costs. There is often a 5-day workshop over the summer that will require travel. Dates TBD.

• Do classroom push-ins and pull-outs for individual and small group intervention. May occasionally lead whole-group instruction to provide modeling to teachers.
• Communicate with parents, Learning Resource Specialist, and other tutors about student goals and progress.
• Support teachers in differentiating for both struggling and excelling students.
• Help teachers conduct student assessments and analyze student work.
• Work with K-3 teachers to create daily schedules that incorporate literacy instruction.
• Observe teachers during literacy instruction and provide coaching or modeling sessions.
• Provide training to new teachers in Literacy Essentials and provide periodic re-training to existing teachers.
• Ensure that the Literacy Essentials and Core Knowledge programs are implemented with fidelity.
• Guide K-3 teachers around curriculum and pedagogy conversations to support vertical alignment.

• Loves children and reading and desires that children fall in love with reading.
• Is immersed in the Catholic worldview and can curate beautiful, timeless texts for students and teachers because they communicate something good and true.
• Works relentlessly to see student growth and knows how to celebrate it.
• Is patient, firm, and has high expectations and belief in students.
• An excellent communicator with adults.
• Develops and supports professional relationships among staff.
• Is a team player, gives constructive feedback, and has high expectations and belief in colleagues.
• Regularly communicates with parents about the successes and growth of their children.
• Is willing and able to become a knowledge expert and enthusiastic proponent of the Literacy Essentials and Core Knowledge programs.

The range for this position is $34,084-$48,732. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, degrees, and certifications.

Since this is a part-time position, no health benefits are included. The school offers 50% tuition discount to children of staff members, free extended care and summer care to children of staff members, and 3 personal days/year.

Candidates in their first five years of teaching may qualify to live in subsidized teacher housing on campus. This renovated convent creates a supportive environment for young…