Comp Literacy State Development; CLSD Specialist

Overview

The purpose of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Specialist is to provide educators at CLSD selected schools with support to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in the development and implementation of effective instructional methods, assessments and/or activities related to improving academic performance and advancing literacy skills in kindergarten through fifth grade. Collaborate with other initiatives and interagency work of the RPDCs and DESE to provide support to identified districts and schools.

• The CLSD Specialist will:
  Participate in all grant activities with CLSD selected schools. Participate in collaborative planning meetings with other literacy coaches within and across regions. Must participate in at least one literacy planning meeting with other literacy coaches and consultants within the Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC). Assist DESE CLSD team with the collection of data for statewide analysis and the creation of supporting resources for LEAs.
  
  Attend and actively participate in statewide monthly resource, support, and training meetings, as designated by the DESE master calendar and direction from DESE CLSD team. Report data and consultant activities each month or more frequently as required by DESE CLSD team. Assist and support CLSD selected schools in improving academic achievement of students. Assist educators and school coaches in implementing effective, evidence-based instructional practices and strategies.
  
  Serve as a mentor for CLSD selected schools’ coaches. Attend regional and national conferences as requested by DESE.

• All training activities must focus on support for administration, teachers, and school coaches participating in the CLSD grant program. Any other training outside of this focus must be approved by DESE CLSD Team and aligned with Missouri Read, Lead, Exceed Literacy Initiatives. Provide job-embedded, continuous professional development to CLSD selected schools based on needs. Provide coaching series to classroom teachers on classroom implementation of the LETRS professional development course and/or instruction aligned with the science of reading.
  
  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. Provide training to LEAs on best practice for effective literacy acquisition, instruction, and intervention in support of science of reading teaching practices. Provide training to LEAs in the area of the five (5) components of literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension, as they relate to reading, writing, spelling, listening, and speaking.
  
  Provide training to LEAs on high-quality instructional materials supported by DESE initiatives. As requested, provide coaching on developing classroom and local assessment.

• Collaborate with other initiatives and interagency work of the RPDCs and DESE to provide support CLSD selected schools.
• Attend and participate in monthly, multi-day meetings, with other Literacy Coaches, Specialists, and Consultants at the direction of the DESE CLSD team. Attend and participate in any conference as requested by DESE CLSD team.
• Other duties and functions as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in the following field(s) of study: education, education administration or appropriate related field or evidence of equivalency.
• (Master’s degree preferred) Master’s degree in the following field(s) of study: educational leadership, technology, curriculum/assessment or related field.

• Ability to express complex ideas to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage diverse activities and meet established deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport and effective working relationships with department staff and local school LEA personnel.
• Ability to analyze complex educational problems and develop feasible solutions.
• Understanding of significant research in the field of literacy education and the ability to apply the findings to the improvement of instruction.
• Growth mindset and interest in finding supports to motivate greater learning for students and teachers.
• Experience with the science of reading and associated instruction, intervention, and assessment practices.
• Ten (10) years successful classroom teaching, school improvement planning, administration, or related experience in public education in Missouri.
• Experience with group facilitation and presentation.

• Lifting (weight) - 25 lbs.