Executive Director of Language & Literacy

Executive Director of Language & Literacy

Wage/Hour Status:
Exempt

Reports to:

Deputy Chief of Instructional Support & School Leadership

Pay Grade: 8 Administrative Education

Dept./School:
Academics and School Leadership Initiated Date:
April 2026

WHO WE ARE

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision - Educational Excellence:
The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five strategic plan priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

Excellence in Leadership

Empowered Graduates

Thriving Students

Community Trust, Unity and Partnership

Operational Excellence and Financial Stability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit school as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an executive leader who can create, nurture, and lead a system that ensures students achieve excellence in Language and Literacy across all grade levels. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of literacy instruction, biliteracy development, dual language and ESL programming, migrant education, and social studies instruction, along with a strong track record of accelerating student outcomes through curriculum alignment, professional learning, compliance oversight, and instructional support.

You will be responsible for aligning the district's literacy, social studies, bilingual, ESL, dual language, and migrant programs with high expectations, strong content knowledge, culturally responsive pedagogy, and engaging, rigorous instruction. This leader must ensure students learn to read, write, think critically, and communicate effectively in one or more languages while also ensuring emergent bilingual students receive the supports necessary to achieve at high levels.

You must possess the commitment, urgency, and system leadership skills needed to build and sustain high-quality teaching and learning in Language and Literacy, ensure compliance with all bilingual, ESL, and migrant program requirements, and lead adaptive change in a fast-paced, evolving educational environment.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to the highest-quality, research-based resources and instructional materials. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of where we need to grow and learn.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

• Master's degree required in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Bilingual Education, Literacy, or related field
• Valid or eligible to receive Texas teaching certificate required (bilingual preferred)
• Valid or eligible to receive Texas Principal or Mid-Management Certification preferred
• Currently or eligible to become T-TESS certified preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of three years teaching experience required
• Minimum of three years experience as a central office leader or Principal preferred
• Demonstrated experience improving literacy, biliteracy, social studies, bilingual, dual language, ESL, and/or migrant student outcomes
• Experience leading district wide instructional initiatives and supervising staff preferred

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Proven success in leading a school or district community toward continuous improvement in academic goals with a relentless pursuit of academic excellence for all students
• Demonstrated impact in teaching students in read
• Deep knowledge of curriculum and instruction, including evidence-based literacy practices, the science of reading, biliteracy, dual language, ESL, migrant education, and social studies
• Expert knowledge in the Science of Reading
• Strong…