As part of the LEARNS Act, Arkansas is expanding its cadre of literacy coaches to ensure teachers receive the training and support they need to ensure all students become skilled readers by the end of 3rd grade. Literacy coaches will provide targeted, intentional, and high-quality coaching to teachers in schools that have earned a letter designation of “D” or “F” across the state. This position will be the primary support for literacy for a region-specific assigned area, consisting of 1-3 schools. Literacy coaches will provide direct coaching, observation, information about student progress, and feedback to teachers in K-3 classrooms aligned to the Science of Reading and high-quality instructional materials. They will help teachers understand digestible data about student progress and the student experience and support teachers to adjust classroom instruction and support student growth. Literacy coaches will support school leaders around leading the implementation of the Science of Reading and the overall literacy strategy school wide. Literacy coaches will be required to effectively identify the needs of assigned schools in order to prioritize, schedule, organize, and provide technical assistance so that students in assigned schools achieve grade level reading by the end of 3rd grade. Literacy coaches support the Department of Education’s efforts to increase literacy outcomes for students.

The Office of Learning Services is seeking literacy coaches that will support teachers and promote evidence-based literacy instruction aligned to the Science of Reading in K-3 classrooms in public schools that have earned the letter designation of  “D or  F” across the state of Arkansas. The right candidate will have a sense of urgency for improving literacy achievement, a desire to use data to support student growth, and a passion for tailored professional learning and coaching to improve instructional practice. 

Application Information:

In order to complete your application, please adhere to the following guidelines, as incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply for this position, please fill out this form https://forms.office.com/r/0zE1j5Fpp4, submit a resume, letter of interest, proof of active teacher licensure, and three professional references addressed to Amy Counts, Director of Curriculum Projects, at the following email address: Amy.Counts@ade.arkansas.gov

Functions

Coaching: 

• Leverages knowledge of evidence-based instruction and practices aligned to the Science of Reading to support teachers in implementing high-quality instructional materials in grades K-3. 
• Facilitates instructional coaching cycles with teachers, including conducting observations, providing feedback on teachers’ evidence-based instruction and practices, and identifying next steps to improve instruction in the core literacy block. The coaching cycle requires instructional coaches to: observe and diagnose, set goals, practice/model for teachers, and actively coach. 

Professional Learning:

• Designs and facilitates professional learning opportunities for K-3 teachers, including modeling lessons and leading or co-leading professional learning communities to strengthen the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices aligned to the Science of Reading. 
• Provides teachers with support on interpreting data from literacy screeners and high-quality instructional materials-embedded assessments to inform whole class and individual instructional decisions to support student growth in literacy. 

School Partnership

• Partners with public school principals or designated leaders to connect schoolwide literacy goals with evidence-based instructional practices aligned to the Science of Reading.

Other:

• Supports the statewide literacy coach initiative, including duties assigned by the regional coordinator. 
• Participates in professional learning experiences to deepen their own knowledge and skills for coaching. 
• Knowledgeable about ways to support teachers through data-sharing and data-backed instructional plans.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements

Weekly in-state travel is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Expertise in both knowledge and pedagogy of the Science of Reading, including reading processes and instruction. Knowledge and an understanding of learning disabilities in reading. Knowledge of the Child Find mandate of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Ability to analyze and apply data to improving literacy instruction and interventions. 

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of experience teaching literacy. 
• Trained in the Science of Reading, as aligned to Arkansas’s Right to Read Act.  
• Ability to travel on a weekly basis. 

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in education.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience teaching literacy. 
• Successful experience facilitating adult learning and delivering professional learning specific to literacy instruction (e.g., literacy training, PLCs). 
• Experience working with grade K-3 classrooms and K-3 teachers. 
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and providing feedback on instruction to classroom teachers. 
• Experience with high-quality instructional materials implementation and usage in the classroom. 
• Experience analyzing and using student achievement data for instructional purposes. 

Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Human Resources.  OTHER JOB-RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

Active teacher licensure in Arkansas or active licensure in another state with eligible reciprocity.

Anticipated Starting Salary:  $70,000 - $74,000 

Posting End Date: May 31, 2023