Director, K-8 Literacy
9 days ago
Memphis
Job DescriptionDescription: Company Description KIPP Memphis Public Schools (KMPS) is part of the largest network of college-preparatory, public charter schools. Together with our families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare our students to pursue any path they choose! KIPP Memphis Public Schools is part of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), a national network of tuition-free, open-enrollment, public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond. There are currently 275 KIPP schools across the nation serving nearly 120,000 students. Founded in 2002, KIPP Memphis serves over 1,200 K-12 students in our three North Memphis schools and almost 900 alumni on their journeys to-and-through college with our KIPP Forward Program. As a leader in providing high quality education for students who need us most, the KIPP Memphis team and family serves as a model of excellence and collaborates with other community organizations to raise the overall quality of education in Memphis. The mission of KIPP Memphis is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our students thrive when surrounded by a community that shows up for them. From mentoring and event support to sharing your professional expertise, your time can make a lasting impact. Job Description KIPP Memphis is looking for an exceptional Director of Literacy to serve as our region’s content leader in literacy. The Director of Literacy is a regional position reporting to the Managing Director of Teaching and Learning and will serve as a critical member of the KIPP Memphis academic team. The Director of Literacy will work closely with the region’s academic team, school leaders, and assistant principals. KIPP Memphis Public Schools believes in an explicit, systematic phonics-based approach to literacy and a direct instruction approach to foundational skills. The Director of Literacy will be charged with coaching teachers to improve their literacy instructional practices, supporting leaders in coaching and reviewing literacy data, supporting the implementation of literacy curriculum, leading professional development, driving literacy content team meetings, and developing with support the regional approach to literacy and reading intervention. Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: Manage the Grades K - 4 Early Literacy Program • Lead regular Early Literacy Team meetings, focusing on reviewing and responding to foundational skills data and adjustments to coaching & strategy plans, • Ensure consistent, explicit, and systematic foundational skills instruction across all K to 4 classrooms through learning walks, observations, and leadership norming and coaching sessions, • Review and share feedback on all literacy-related content, e.g. literacy assessments, module launches, professional development content, etc., • Develop the literacy components of the annual Academic Strategy, including regional scheduling recommendations for Elementary school, • Lead regular Literacy Team meetings, focusing on reviewing and responding to literacy data and adjustments to coaching & strategy plans, • Identify and develop strong models for content articulation across grades (e.g. How should “theme” be taught in each grade level?), • Review and share feedback on all literacy-related content, e.g. literacy assessments, module launches, professional development content, etc., • Develop the literacy components of the annual Academic Strategy, including regional scheduling recommendations for Elementary school and Middle school, • Systematically measure and gather feedback on the quality of our literacy strategy and vision, and make adjustments and changes as needed Vision and Strategy • Develop and/or refine KIPP Memphis’s regional vision for excellent literacy instruction across the prekindergarten through eighth grade continuum, • Create a plan for each academic year to increase the number of students who read at- or above-grade-level, including special education students, students with dyslexia, and English language learners, • Partner with the regional academic team to build and drive a regional academic strategy that ensures KIPP Memphis students are college-ready by high school graduation, • In year 1, identify high quality, vertically aligned Tier 2 literacy curriculum for our middle school along and build and support a plan for implementation of Tier 2 intervention, • In year 1, support the selection of a high quality, vertically aligned pre-kindergarten core curriculum and design the literacy block, • Provide literacy curriculum training to ensure teachers can execute against our existing literacy curriculum successfully and leaders can coach teachers to effectively implement the curriculum, • Ensure intervention staff is trained, • Monitor progress and analyze literacy data in order to identify bright spots and areas for growth, • Support quarterly curriculum and assessment evaluation meetings by providing data and analysis to help leaders make data-informed choices for reteaching or other interventions, • Observe, coach, and debrief literacy lessons, including lessons delivered in intervention groups and special education classes, with teachers to improve the quality of instructional practices and lead to increased student growth using the walkthrough and literacy rubrics, • Observe, coach, and debrief school leaders’ coaching of literacy instruction in order to improve leaders’ coaching ability within their schools, • Analyze and respond to region wide literacy teacher performance and achievement data to adjust approach and support struggling teachers and schools, • Lead literacy content team meetings and develop teacher and school leaders to drive the work of content team meetings over time, • Develop and facilitate professional development to support the improvement of literacy practices, • All other duties as assigned Requirements: Qualifications Required: • Bachelor’s Degree required, preference for a Master’s Degree in reading or a closely related degree with a Reading Specialist certification/evidence of coursework reading/literacy training equivalent to 9+ hours of college credits, • Holds an active teaching license in elementary education, • Minimum 6 years of elementary education teaching experience, • Exceptional organizational, planning and project management skills, • Possesses a deep commitment to both racial and educational equity; supports the building of an organization that reflects the community KIPP serves; holds self and others on team accountable for centering equity, • Ability to evaluate and implement literacy instructional programs and a deep content knowledge of research-based literacy practices, • At least 4 years of demonstrable success in teaching reading or coaching reading in a Title I school that takes an explicit phonics-based approach to teaching foundational reading skills, • Minimum 1 year of experience in a coaching role (dean of instructional, instructional coach, etc.) with demonstrated success in getting academic results through others, • Experience analyzing student data and using data to inform instruction and drive results, • Experience managing adults; goal-setting, providing meaningful feedback, and driving results through others, • Experience leading engaging and effective professional development for adults, • Strong communication skills and follow-through, • Demonstrated initiative in prioritizing amidst complex needs and strategically planning to get results, • Flexibility and ability to multi-task within an ambiguous, fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions, • Working knowledge of Common Core Standards and the pedagogical shifts they demand, • Demonstrated passion for the mission, vision and values of KIPP Memphis; comfort and willingness to actively participate in the school and neighborhood community Satisfactory criminal records check, pre-hire and annually thereafter, if applicable. Must be eligible to work in the United States and provide work authorization. Occasional travel to KIPP Memphis campuses may be required. Additional information Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience, degree attainment, and credentials. A competitive benefits package will also be offered. ADA Requirements: • Prolonged periods standing and actively monitoring student behavior while teaching, • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times, • Must be able to traverse classroom and adjust height, by bending or leaning, in order to teach each child All application information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.