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Job Title: Teacher, TOSA Literacy Specialist - Field Elementaryand Requisition ID number: 94526

Close Date: Open until filled

Organizational Unit: Field Elementary (10000028)

Site: Field (0119)

FTE: .9 FTE; 39 weeks; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union: Teachers(04)

Functional Area: Teaching

Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

SUMMARY
The Literacy Specialist/Instructional Specialist must have a strong understanding of pedagogy, academic standards, MTSS and differentiated literacy instruction (especially reading and writing) for all content areas in order to provide effective coaching, support and feedback to teachers. The Literacy Specialist must be committed to educational equity and understand how student strengths, identities and abilities are essential in providing culturally sustaining instruction using a tiered approach of differentiation for all students. The Literacy Specialist will increase teacher capacity and confidence by:

• Working directly with teachers to implement best practices through a mix of modeling, co-planning, instructional coaching and facilitating professional development
• Providing professional development, coaching, feedback and support for teachers with implementing differentiated instructional strategies that engage students individually, and collectively and foster increased higher levels of thinking
• Coaching teachers to create and administer appropriate assessments that measure growth for students in the classroom and build teacher capacity in analyzing student data to prioritize needs, allowing teachers to plan in response to the data
• Facilitating teams of teachers in using the Long Term and Short Term Planning Core Components to develop instructional plans responsive to student needs
• Facilitating teams of teachers in using the MTSS Data Dives & Diagnostics Core Component to develop instructional plans responsive to student needs
• Planning and/or facilitating PLCs/grade level team meetings and providing periodic progress updates to the ILT
• Supporting implementation of math and literacy district-approved core tier 1 and tier 2 curricula
• Applying and providing new learning from bi-weekly, district-provided professional development
• Following up on PLC/grade level team and individual teacher coaching meetings by providing support in classrooms including: modeling lessons, co-teaching, observing with feedback, coaching on instructional strategies or co-planning
• Support secondary teacher observations and on-going coaching at the site to provide licensed staff with feedback and coaching from a fellow licensed staff member who is trained in the Standards of Effective Instruction (SOEI) Conduct a minimum of four (4) secondary observations, with post conferences and data entry in SuccessFactors for at least two (2) other licensed staff members
  
  
  • This can be secondary observations for probationary teachers and/or the unscored SOEI observation of tenured teachers .
    
    
    • NOTE: Secondary Observers may serve as the peer for tenured teachers to complete the Peer Collaboration or Peer Observation activity for tenured teachersCertified observers are encouraged to support colleagues for the Collaboration and Peer observations
  • Provide follow up support as needed, after the observation, including post-observation conferences when applicable

• Participate in leadership development training sessions throughout the year to improve inter-rater reliability and post-conferencing skills at the site level (if available) or facilitated by district staff

• Supervise and support Americorps volunteers providing literacy interventions
• Actively participating in ILT and MTSS meetings

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Literacy Specialist/Instructional Specialist supports teacher efficacy in differentiated daily instruction in order to equitably increase academic growth and achievement forall learners.

Collaborate with classroom teachers and build teacher capacity by:

• Providing ongoing coaching, feedback and professional development
• Co-planning with teachers and collaborative teams
• Model teaching
• Co-teaching

Support teachers using the Levels of Service Model in MTSS and provide classroom teachers with strategies around:

• Scaffolding
• Accommodations
• Tiered activities
• Formative assessments

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Experience in and knowledge of equity principles and cultural competencies of academic standards and the district's mission, goals, programs, and curriculum to support teachers and sites (ie: Best practices PD by Indian Education or PD with OBSA)
• The Specialist will have a strong understanding of literacy development across all proficiency levels and will play a critical role in fostering a literacy rich environment, developing the literacy expertise and leadership of all members of the ILT, and continuously managing and facilitating change through effective adult relationships.
• Strong understanding and experience with Structures Literacy and the Science of Reading
• Proven track record of effective classroom instruction and experience differentiating instruction, specifically tiering lessons and activities.
• Knowledge of assessment strategies, resources and appropriately differentiated materials, curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on math and literacy instruction
• Ability to provide effective instruction and coaching to support teachers' abilities to further analyze, communicate, model, and assess elements of the teaching process while using academic standards grades 3-5
• Knowledge of best practices for specific student groups such as EL, SPED, and Advanced Learners, to ensure all students show adequate academic growth
• Ability to collaborate with all adults in the building regarding instructional strategies
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain trustful, confidential and supportive relationships with teachers in order to help develop them professionally
• Ability to foster collegiality and community among educators and staff
• Seeks multiple perspectives and resolves conflict in a professional manner
• Knowledge of adult learning needs and processes and how to use coaching cycles to maximize teacher growth

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A valid Minnesota Teaching License
• A minimum of 5 years of classroom experience
• Reading certificate preferred
• Complete Indian Ed's Best Practices PD, OBSA's Becoming An Unapologetic Advocate for Black Students, and We Are Latinos, Latinas, and Latinx course
• Hold an MPS certificate in Talent Development and Advanced Learner Education or be willing to obtain the certificate by December 1st, 2023.
• Certified SOEI observer through MPS or be willing to complete certification by September 2022.

Note:the Differentiation Specialist must attend bimonthly district professional development provided by the Teaching and Learning Department, in collaboration with other academic departments.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.