Literacy Coach

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K-6 Literacy and Writing Coach - Charter School of Inquiry
10-Month Position
Charter School of Inquiry (CSI) Vision
Our children are empowered to value themselves, their heritage and others, while uplifting our community and cultivating curiosity.

Charter School of Inquiry (CSI) Mission
The Charter School of Inquiry promotes a safe and supportive community for children and families by infusing the heritage and culture of people of African descent, embracing the concept of Ubuntu and promoting academic growth through challenging student-led investigations.

About the Charter School of Inquiry (CSI)
The Charter School of Inquiry (CSI) is a vibrant school community that is responding to the academic and social needs of approximately 350 students in grades K-6, primarily from Buffalo's Eastside. CSI is a unique community-based school that has emerged as a trusted institution for families in its Eastside neighborhood.

CSI successfully implements its unique, ground-breaking key design elements. Most notably, the school-wide use of the Inquiry Learning Model, that fosters critical thinking and problem solving, and African and African-American infusion into all curricular areas, which allows all children to benefit from a better understanding of the history, culture, and contributions of African and African-American peoples.

Parents are overwhelmingly pleased with CSI, as evidenced by an 90% student retention rate, 100% of parents indicating that they are either highly satisfied or satisfied on an independent survey administered by Daemen College, an overall increase in enrollment of 31%, and waiting lists in most grades.

CSI recognizes the urgency of educating the whole child, and that the social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum if students are to achieve at high levels. CSI offers a wide-range of extra-curricular programs, values field trips and in-school presentations, and offers a free extended-day program. The school-wide implementation of the Responsive Classroom approach and Restorative Justice practices has significantly reduced student suspension in the last two years.

Required Qualifications

1. Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience in an elementary or secondary educational environment as a reading/literacy teacher.
2. Minimum of three years of experience with progress monitoring and reading interventions.
3. Master's degree in B-6 Literacy.
4. Valid NYS certification in literacy/reading.
5. Minimum of one year of instructional coaching experience in an educational setting.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills.
7. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
8. Three professional references.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in an urban educational setting.
2. Experience in a charter school setting.
3. Formal training as an instructional coach.
4. Knowledge of and passion for African and African American culture, heritage, and history.
5. Knowledge of and experience with the Inquiry Learning Model.
6. Experience with the Responsive Classroom Model and Restorative Justice practices.
7. Knowledge of and experience with remote instruction.
8. Experience using AIMSweb Plus and Fountas and Pinnell for the purpose of gathering data to support high-quality teaching and learning.
9. Experience using eDoctrina.
10. Knowledge of charter school law and oversight requirements

Performance Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and implements a literacy program based on best-practices.
• Assesses teachers' level of knowledge of literacy instruction and provides ongoing professional development and coaching to enhance each teacher's skills.
• Supports teachers in creating a literacy-rich learning environment.
• Assists teachers in developing meaningful assessments.
• Supports teachers in the use of data to support high levels of student achievement.
• Assists teachers in the effective use of the Open Court and StudySync reading programs.
• Works with teachers to identify issues with students or the curriculum, set goals, and solve problems.
• Collaborates with teachers and administrators to develop curriculum and lesson plans.
• Acquires resources for teachers as needed.
• Assists teachers in assessing and analyzing student work.
• Helps teachers interpret data after assessments have been administered.
• Models lessons to help educators learn.
• Observes lessons and provides ongoing feedback to teachers in a non-evaluative relationship.
• Assists teachers in developing learning goals for each student.
• Assists teachers in conducting diagnostic assessment of students to determine their current proficiency levels.
• Assists teachers in developing remote learning activities for students that are aligned to the curriculum and CCLS.
• Assists teachers in infusing African and African American history and culture into instruction.
• Works with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction to ensure that teachers have extensive resources on African and African American history, culture, and heritage.
• Assists teachers in developing student-led investigations each academic year, with at least one based on the African American experience.
• Assists teachers with planning, sequencing, and scaffolding of instruction.
• Participates in team reviews concerning the academic progress of at-risk students who are not responding to interventions.
• Attends scheduled meetings and parent conferences.
• Works with teachers individually and in collaborative teams to provide practical support on a full range of reading, writing, and communication strategies.
• Participates in all school activities, parent teacher conferences, open houses, and professional development, and events.

The Charter School of Inquiry promotes a collaborative model of leadership. The Literacy/Writing Coach reports to the Director of Curriculum and instruction and works in collaboration with directors, coordinators, and teacher-leaders in the school community.

Building/Location : 404 Edison St. Buffalo, NY 14215

Position Status : Full time

Certification Type : Literacy Birth - Grade 6 {7061}

Send Resume to : John Sheffield

Contact Person's Title : Head of School

Contact Person's Phone : 17168333250

Contact Person's Email : jsheffield@csicharter.org

Posting Link : www.csicharter.org