Position Summary
Harlem Link's Literacy Coach is a full-time member of the administration at Harlem Link, reporting to the Director of Inclusive Learning and Supports.  The Literacy Coach ensures that the faculty builds capacity around the school's Balanced Literacy approach. The Literacy Coach coordinates and assists in the full implementation of the K-5 Reading and Writing curriculum, supports the full implementation of the K-2 Word Study curriculum, and monitors the school's Literacy program within the context of the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework and goals.  The Director of Literacy also coordinates the Response to Intervention (RTI) referral process and supervises four Academic Intervention Services (AIS) teachers. 
 
Outcomes and Responsibilities
 
Literacy Program Organization
Key Outcome : Assistant Principals and teachers have the resources they need, including a guaranteed and viable literacy curriculum and materials that are aligned with the school's vision. 
 

• Participate in many literacy pre-unit protocol planning sessions to ensure that units cover all standards throughout the year and that lessons include student centered engagement, thinking, and discussion;
• Research and prepare materials for units and lessons for AP's and faculty;
• Ensure that all materials are ready for units and lessons with faculty;
• Work with specialists and teachers to plan for HL's special populations so that all of our students have access to all literacy lessons through differentiated supports as needed;
• Ensure units of study and lesson plans are organized and accessible on Google Ed Drive; and
• Ensure lessons reflect a workshop model, allowing for ample guided and independent work time

 
Data Driven Literacy Instruction
Key Outcome : Teachers are able to adjust their teaching through ongoing interpretation and analysis of literacy data
 
Key Responsibilities

• Work with the data team and ILT to analyze and interpret Level 3 K-5 Literacy Performance Based Assessment data from Reading and Writing units;
• Work with the data team and ILT to analyze and interpret Level 4 MTSS K-5 F&P Assessment;
• Work with the data team and ILT to analyze and interpret TC Running Records for monthly progress monitoring of students' reading growth;
• Work with data team and ILT to analyze and interpret ELA state testing data from quiz cycles, practice tests & state tests;
• Collaborate on PowerPoints with data team and assistant principals of current data to present to teachers during post-unit protocol sessions; and
• Lead/Co-lead grade team literacy meetings to discuss data and in creating data action plans for Tier 1, 2 & 3 needs

 
Coaching
Key Outcome : Teachers are knowledgeable about and can execute Harlem Link's literacy program through ongoing professional learning and coaching
 
Key Responsibilities
 

• Ensure that coaching is aligned to Harlem Link's priorities and MTSS data;

• Regularly observe classrooms during Word Study, Reading Workshop, and Writing Workshop blocks;

 

• Provide support and assistance to all teachers in the full implementation of HL's literacy structures and units through staff development sessions and through coaching cycles (individual, co-teaching, or grade level);
• Conduct model literacy lessons as needed;
• Lead lesson studies with groups of teachers to improve instruction;
• Provide guidance to teachers around Specially Designed Instruction and general differentiation in word study, reading, and writing to improve achievement for all students in literacy;
• Co-plan with teachers through unit planning and lesson planning to ensure high quality units and lessons across the school;
• Lead workshops as needed, including during New Teacher Orientation, Summer Institute, and PL time;
• Utilize relationships and trust building into practice; and
• Incorporate adult learning practices in coaching  

 
RTI Coordination and Supervision 
Key Outcome: Teachers consistently use varying levels of assessment and intervention to ensure an inclusive environment where all students receive targeted supports to meet their academic needs and make academic growth.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with APs to ensure strong and consistent Tier I literacy instruction across Grades K-5;
• Support the implementation of F&P 3x a year as a Universal Screening tool for RTI;
• Organize and coordinate referral process for Tier II and Tier III academic intervention;
• Schedule and lead RTI checkpoint meetings for students in Tier II and Tier III every 6-8 weeks to review assessment data and make determinations about the level of support needed; 
• Manage and maintain data on RTI referrals and meetings;
• Support teachers in creating and implementing Tier II goals and intervention plans, including a progress monitoring component; 
• Organize Tier II goals, intervention plans, and assessments on the Google Ed Drive; and
• Supervise AIS teachers in their push-in work, Tier III goal-setting, instruction and assessment using the Leveled Literacy Instruction (LLI) program, and collaboration with teachers, APs, and other SST members

 
Leadership
Key Outcome: All stakeholders (staff, board and family members) understand and uphold Harlem Link's vision of inclusive learning.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Act as a member of the school's Instructional Leadership Team and the Student Support Team;
• Provide school-wide leadership reinforcement of positive behavior from adults and children;
• Provide Crisis Intervention in the event of the Dean of Students or Behavioral Specialist's and Principal's or Assistant Principal's absence;
• Participate in data discussions with administration colleagues, advocating for the needs of our Special Populations students (student with IEPs, Multi Language Learners);
• Collaborate regularly with members of the of the ILT and SST to meet the needs of students and faculty;
• Be a presence and assist as appropriate with breakfast, lunch, recess and dismissal;

 
Qualifications

• NYS Elementary Certification  
• LIteracy Specialist Degree a plus
• K-5 knowledge and expertise with literacy content
• Demonstrated results with Balanced Literacy and Workshop models
• Demonstrated results with data analysis and application  
• Understanding and utilization of adult learning and strategies in coaching
• Training and experience in Specially Designed Instruction
• Training and experience in Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Teaching experience in NYC charter or district schools
• Demonstrated effective leadership that can include teacher leadership or administration
• Demonstrated success with building relationships, trust and with maintaining confidentiality with a diverse set of stakeholders (teachers, children, parents, admin, staff, CSE, community)