Literacy Coach

Job Title: Literacy Coach Location: Madison Consolidated Schools

Reports To: School Principal and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Employment Type: Salary/ Exempt

Position Summary

The Literacy Coach plays a critical role in elevating literacy outcomes for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade. This position is dedicated to implementing evidence-based literacy practices aligned with the science of reading and is specifically for targeted training, intervention, support, and implementation related to the science of reading and an educator coaching model. The core focus is on supporting teachers through professional learning, coaching cycles, lesson modeling, and collaborative planning. The coach will also work closely with school leaders to use data to drive instructional decisions and ensure equitable literacy growth for all students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of the Literacy Coach encompasses comprehensive responsibilities, focusing on student outcomes, teacher support, data-driven leadership, and collaboration:

• Teacher Support and Professional Development:
• Collaborate with K–4th grade teachers to build knowledge of the science of reading and to plan and deliver high-quality literacy instruction.
• Conduct coaching cycles targeting student outcomes.
• Deliver in-school professional development aligned to district/state initiatives.
• Provide in-person and virtual professional development to teachers in the science of reading as requested by Madison Consolidated Schools.
• Engage in continuous professional learning in early literacy research and coaching pedagogy.
• Participate in ongoing professional development as required by Madison Consolidated Schools, including ILEARN & IREAD Professional Development and Science of Reading Professional Development offered by IDOE & The Wilson Education Center.
• Read educational texts and articles with the most up-to-date research on the science of reading.
• Model continuous learning.
• Attend and support K-4 grade-level meetings as needed.
• Data-Driven Instructional Leadership and Intervention:
• Work closely with school leaders to use data to drive instructional decisions and ensure equitable literacy growth for all students.
• Engage in data-driven instructional coaching and collaborate with district administrators, teachers, ISPs, and interventionists regarding identified needs and to ensure progress in grades K through 4th grade.
• Support school-wide data review and instructional alignment.
• Be an active participant in reviewing district ELA data.
• Be responsible for reading intervention programs for all of Madison Consolidated Schools, ensuring the best research-based practices are explicitly and systematically taught. This includes scheduling intervention meetings as needed, tracking Benchmark and progress monitoring intervention data, and being an active participant in MTSS meetings.
• Coaches are not primary assessment coordinators or administrators; they serve as a resource and may assist as needed for assessments such as IREAD-3 Grade Two/Three/Four, Universal Screeners (mCLASS), Diagnostic Screeners (CORE), and ILEARN.
• Collaboration and Communication:
• Build strong relationships with teachers, administrators, and Title ISPs.
• Collaborate with school leaders and stakeholders to promote a culture of continuous professional learning.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships and communication with students, educators, and administrators.
• Present to various stakeholder groups and present to the school board on literacy progress as needed.
• Serve as a thoughtful leader for student literacy in the district.
• Solve instructional challenges with evidence-based solutions.
• Collaborate with the post-secondary education department and the Madison Cadet student program.
• Operational and Documentation:
• Maintain organized documentation, including coaching calendars, session notes, anecdotal records, and student achievement and growth data.
• The instructional coach is required to be a fully dedicated instructional coach with no shared teaching or administrative responsibilities outside of these requirements. This includes not being pulled as substitute teachers or being expected to be an interventionist.
• Participate in assisting and/or teaching summer school.
• Send home required universal screening results.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education.
• Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree in reading and/or administration.
• Valid Indiana Teaching License.
• Early Literacy Endorsement.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience.
• Deep knowledge of literacy instruction, early reading development, and the science of reading, demonstrating expertise in reading.
• Potential for instructional leadership and coaching.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and data analysis skills.

Working Conditions and Additional Information

• Requires flexible scheduling to support school needs.
• Must travel to training sessions, school sites, or conferences as needed.
• Coaching assignments may vary by school or district priorities.
• Reports may be required for local and state use.