Literacy Coach

POSITION: Literacy Coach


LOCATION:  Radium Elementary School 


JOB SUMMARY:
The Dougherty County School System is seeking a Literacy Support Coach to join our roster of experienced, motivated, and effective teaching professionals. The Literacy Support Coach will play a vital role in implementing the Georgia Early Literacy Act. This coach will foster a cohesive, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused literacy approach within the school, ensuring rigorous, engaging, and relevant instruction. By building collaborative relationships with the school leaders, academic coaches, and K-3 teachers, the Literacy Support Coach will identify school needs and provide targeted support to help students achieve grade-level reading by the end of third grade.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field (Master's degree preferred);
2. Valid Georgia teaching certification in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education, Secondary English Language Arts, or Reading Specialist, Endorsement in Reading preferred;
3. Minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience, with a strong emphasis on literacy instruction;
4. Deep understanding of current research and best practices in literacy education, including the science of reading and balanced literacy approaches;
5. Demonstrated experience in analyzing student data and using it to inform instruction;
6. Familiarity with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for English Language Arts;
7. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and the Board may find appropriate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

1. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills;
2. Ability to understand reading processes, acquisition, assessment, and instruction, systematic, explicit instructional process;
3. Ability to provide instructional coaching approaches and strategies for teaching adult learners;
4. Ability to use scientific reading research and its application to provide effective classroom instruction, structure, and practices, as well as intervention;
5. Ability to provide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and  Data analysis and application;
6. Ability to train teachers in utilizing measures of reading achievement like Lexile scores and universal screeners to diagnose and remediate students;
7. Proficiency in using technology to support literacy instruction and professional learning;
8. Ability to perform routine physical activities that are required to fulfill job responsibilities.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Coaching and Support

1.  Collaborate with teachers to analyze student data (formative, summative, and diagnostic assessments) to identify strengths and areas for growth in literacy;
2. Model effective literacy instruction, including explicit teaching of foundational skills, comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, and writing processes, through co-teaching, demonstration lessons, and observation with feedback;
3. Provide individualized and small-group coaching to teachers, focusing on implementing research-based best practices in literacy instruction;
4. Support teachers in differentiating instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, including English Language Learners and students with learning differences;
5. Assist teachers in selecting and utilizing high-quality literacy resources and materials;
6. Facilitate teacher inquiry and reflection on their practice through coaching cycles and collaborative learning opportunities.

 

Professional Development and Capacity Building

1. Design and deliver engaging and relevant professional development workshops, in-service sessions, and study groups focused on current literacy research and effective instructional strategies;
2. Stay abreast of current research and best practices in literacy education, including the science of reading, and disseminate this knowledge to colleagues;
3. Support the implementation of district-wide literacy initiatives and curriculum frameworks, including the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for English Language Arts;
4. Facilitate the sharing of effective literacy practices among teachers within and across schools.

Collaboration and Leadership:

1. Work collaboratively with the school principal and district curriculum leaders to align literacy goals with school improvement plans and district strategic initiatives;
2. Serve as a literacy resource and point of contact for teachers, administrators, and parents;
3. Participate in school-based and district-level meetings focused on literacy instruction and student achievement;
4. Contribute to the development and implementation of the district's comprehensive literacy plan;
5. Foster a positive and collaborative school culture that values continuous learning and improvement in literacy.

Data Analysis and Progress Monitoring:

1. Assist teachers in using assessment data to monitor student progress in literacy and make informed instructional decisions;
2. Analyze school-wide and district-wide literacy data to identify trends and inform professional development and instructional support;
3. Collaborate with the district assessment team to ensure the effective use of literacy assessments.al, timely, and candid written and oral feedback to teachers about their instruction;
4. Networks with other literacy coaches and participates in ongoing professional development to enhance literacy and instructional skills.

Additional Duties

1. Performs other such duties needed or assigned by the Supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Occasional bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, repetitive fine motor activities, prolonged period of standing, walking and sitting is expected;
2. Vision, hearing and verbal communications are essential functions of this position;
3. Must meet deadlines with severe time constraints;
4. Occasionally the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours and meet multiple demands from several people;
5. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REPORTS TO:  Principal

SALARY RANGE:  Competitive salary and excellent benefits package, in accordance with the DCSS Compensation Guide

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Applications will be reviewed upon submission. To ensure consideration, please submit all required application materials by May 7, 2025.


   

 

 

About Us:
The Dougherty County School System is a leading catalyst and advocate for public education in Southwest Georgia. It's the largest school system in the second congressional district. The school district has 21 schools (13 elementary, 4 middle, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative middle/high school), 4 learning centers, and the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy. All schools are accredited by Cognia. The DCSS offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Dougherty County is recognized for its quail and duck hunting, fishing, the Flint River, and many cypress swamps. The County has a population of approximately 90,000. Our County has two institutions of higher education, Albany State University and Albany Technical College. Notable points of interest include the Albany Museum of Art, the Flint RiverQuarium, the Albany Civil Rights Institute, the Parks at Chehaw, Radium Springs Gardens, and Thronateeska Heritage Center, which includes the Museum of History, Wetherbee Planetarium, and the Science Discovery Center. Dougherty County is a short drive to Atlanta, the Georgia coast, as well as the Florida Gulf Coast beaches.

Important Note:
This document provides descriptive information about the above Dougherty County School System position. Work actually performed by incumbents in this position may vary. Although this document may be used for recruiting, staffing, or career planning, the information contained herein should only be used as a guideline or recommendation for the content of and qualifications for this position. The Dougherty County School System reserves the right to make changes to this document as deemed necessary without providing advance written notice.