Elementary Literacy Specialist

Title: Elementary Literacy Specialist

Salary Range: $33,000- $59,925 (depending on experience) 

Department/Division: Resource Support 

Position Status: Exempt, Part-time - 55% FTE

Reports to: Director of Resource Support

Benefits: Not eligible 

Objective:
As a member of our Elementary Faculty, your responsibility is to nourish each child’s joy of discovery and passion for learning, and provide for each child’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and moral growth — giving special attention to the mastery of those basic skills and concepts that are the foundation of all future learning.

We seek and strive to maintain a culturally and ethnically diverse community, and are committed to the principles that promote inclusive practices. We value the skills, knowledge, and experiences a diverse workforce brings to our school. 

Recognized for excellence, our early literacy program combines research-based instruction with a joyful love of language and books. We meet each child’s unique needs through engaging, individualized learning experiences, building strong skills in reading and writing, that set the stage for lifelong success. The Elementary Literacy Specialist is an integral part of our lower elementary program. This position is responsible for supporting students who are struggling with developing foundational literacy skills. Using PAF, a comprehensive structured language program for teaching reading, spelling, and handwriting, our team of faculty works with students at all levels to reach their goals, with the Literacy Specialist focusing on our students who need the highest level of structured support. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Know and implement the school’s mission and vision. 


• Create a safe and secure environment in which students grow in and appreciate both autonomy and interdependence with others.


• Build relationships with students in which each child feels understood, nurtured, respected, and supported in making their voices heard.


• Implement a curriculum that centers the school’s published values and engages students. 


• Assess learning in a variety of formative and summative ways, using the results to inform instructional choices and build children’s knowledge and skills.


• Differentiate instruction in a highly skilled manner, with particular focus on supporting learners who are struggling to meet literacy benchmarks. 


• Foster a professional partnership with parents that facilitates the exchange of information necessary to ensure each child’s progress.


• Seek and maintain the appropriate training and knowledge regarding the developmental characteristics and needs of the age group with which you are working. 


• Cooperate and collaborate with colleagues to ensure effective sequencing of instruction and delivery of outcomes, and with school leadership to plan for and carry out the continual improvement of our school.


• Active Instruction
  
  
  
  • Directly teach literacy knowledge and skills to students in small group format, utilizing formative assessment and feedback, as assigned and scheduled by the Director of Resource Support
  
  
  • Support literacy skills benchmark assessments and data analysis.
  
  
  • Ensure accurate and appropriate record keeping and reporting to teachers and the Director of Resource Support
  
  
  
  


• Resource Program
  
  
  
  • Collaborate with teachers and the Director of Resource Support on literacy-related student support services.
  
  
  
  


• Curriculum & Pedagogy
  
  
  
  • Review reading skill levels of students in grades K-3, in partnership with the Director of Resource Support 
  
  
  • Research best practices in literacy curriculum and instruction, and participate in Resource Office advocacy on curriculum development.
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor's Degree


• Training or certification in a research-based, multisensory, foundational reading program such as PAF, Orton-Gillingham, SIPPS, Heggerty


• At least 2 years of hands-on experience with Kindergarten through 3rd grade direct literacy instruction

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced Degree


• Knowledge of child development or Early Education Units


• Understanding of Independent School Education


• Experience in a progressive education environment

EEO Policy:

Gateway School is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and to providing employment, compensation, promotion, transfer, and unrestricted access to training at all occupational levels. The School prohibits discrimination and harassment due to an applicant’s or employee’s membership in a protected class.  Gateway School does not discriminate in violation of the law on the bases of the protected categories of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, or military/veteran status in its employment practices or hiring practices.