Job Opening: SWC Consultant

Position:            SWC EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT: Literacy Coach

FTE:                         Full time

Please email Cover Letter, Resume and 3 letters of Recommendation to melissa@southwestcenter.org 

Application closing date:    October 25, 2024

PURPOSE

A SWC Educational Consultant who will provide educators 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.  The position will work with DESE to fulfill requirements of U.S. Department of Education Grant for Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD). The position will be employed by the SWC for Educational Excellence will report to both the SWC and DESE.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Improve academic achievement of students by implementing effective, evidenced-based instructional practices and strategies.

SPECIALIZED CERTIFICATION

The Literacy Coach will have the following certification:

• Elementary or secondary content-specific teaching certificate
• Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Volume I and II Training [this can be completed after hire date and provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) if necessary]
• Aspire Training (this can be completed after hire date and provided by DESE if necessary)
• Administrative degree or a current position that works with administrative and various staff within a district (Experience additional to a classroom instructor)

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

The Literacy Coach will have the following skills:

• Express complex ideas to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• Manage diverse activities and meet established deadlines
• Establish and maintain rapport and effective working relationships with DESE department staff and local school LEA Administration and staff
• Analyze complex educational problems and develop feasible solutions

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

The Literacy Coach will have the following knowledge and/or experience:

• 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
• Three (3) years of classroom experience
• Experience working with administration
• Organizational skills to maintain detailed records needed for reporting
• Ability to present to a wide audience variety

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

• Report data and coaching activities as required in a format and through a system designated by DESE.          

OVERALL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

The Literacy Coach will:

• 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 with the collection of data for statewide analysis
• Attend and actively participate in statewide monthly resource, support, and training meetings, as designated by the DESE master calendar and direction from DESE Technical Contact and/or DESE Literacy Coordinator
• Report data and consultant activities each month or more frequently as required by Literacy Director using a DESE-provided system
• Assist all partner LEAs in improving academic achievement of students
• Assist educators in implementing effective, evidenced-based instructional practices and strategies
• Assist identified LEAs within the region to improve post-secondary outcomes for students
• Serve as a mentor for new consultants
• Attend regional and national conferences as requested by DESE.

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

• All training activities must focus on support for teachers participating in the Read, Lead, Exceed LETRS training initiative. Any other training outside of this focus must be approved by DESE Technical Contact and/or DESE Literacy Coordinator and aligned with Missouri Read, Lead, Exceed Literacy Initiatives
• 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 at least one (1) training to LEAs 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 at least one (1) training to LEAs on best practice for effective literacy acquisition, instruction and intervention in support of science of reading teaching practices
• Provide at least one (1) training to LEAs 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 at least one (1) training to LEAs on high-quality instructional materials supported by DESE initiatives
• As requested, provide coaching on developing classroom and local assessment
• Provide LETRS training for statewide literacy initiatives as required by DESE

PLANNING/COMMUNICATION/COLLABORATION ACTIVITIES

• Collaborate with other initiatives and interagency work of the RPDCs, Service Centers and DESE to provide support to identified LEAs and schools

MEETING/CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

• Attend and participate in monthly, multi-day meetings, with other Literacy Coaches, Specialists, and Consultants at the direction of the DESE Technical Contact and/or DESE Curriculum Directors
• Attend and participate in any conference as requested by DESE Technical Contact

REQUIRED TRAVEL

• THIS JOB IS A TRAVEL INTENSIVE JOB
• Literacy Coaches are expected to travel within the region as needed, to serve the approved LEAs included in the DESE grant
• Attendance at DESE required monthly meetings/conferences, located in Columbia

Salary & Benefits

• This position does NOT pay into PSRS
• Salary and benefits are competitive
• This is a 5-year position based on continued funding from DESE
• Full time – 12-month position