Reading/Literacy Coach

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Valid South Carolina teaching certificate with appropriate endorsement
• Meets Read to Succeed requirements for literacy coaches, including add-on literacy endorsement or advanced degree in reading/literacy (as required by SCDE)
• Minimum of 3�5 years of successful teaching experience, preferably in elementary literacy
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the Science of Reading and scientifically-based reading instruction
• Knowledge of South Carolina assessment systems and literacy initiatives

REPORTS TO:     Principal

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  190 Days

SALARY:             Based on teacher salary schedule

OVERVIEW:        The Reading/Literacy Coach is an instructional leader as defined by South Carolina's Read to Succeed (R2S) Act. The coach possesses expertise in classroom instruction, knowledge of the Science of Reading, evidence-based literacy instruction, and South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards. This position is designed to build teacher capacity through job-embedded, ongoing professional development that results in improved literacy instruction and increased student achievement in all subject areas.

DUTIES:             Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

• Model effective instructional strategies for teachers by working weekly with students in whole group, small group, and/or individual settings. The classroom teacher must remain present, actively engaged, and observe instruction to build capacity through job-embedded learning.

• Provide ongoing coaching through co-teaching, modeling, observation, and reflective feedback cycles aligned to R2S expectations.

• Facilitate study groups and professional learning communities focused on scientifically-based reading instruction and student outcomes.

• Train teachers to analyze and use multiple sources of assessment data (e.g., universal screeners, formative, benchmark, and summative assessments) to differentiate instruction and inform intervention decisions.

• Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues to support continuous professional growth in literacy instruction in all grade levels and subject areas. 

• Work with teachers to ensure that state-approved, research-based reading programs are implemented with fidelity.

• Collaborate with all teachers, including content area and elective teachers, to support schoolwide literacy development across disciplines.

• Prioritize coaching time and efforts on high-impact instructional practices that directly influence student achievement in literacy.

• Support teachers in designing and delivering systematic, explicit, and differentiated reading instruction aligned to the Science of Reading.

• Assist in the development and implementation of intervention plans for struggling readers in alignment with R2S requirements.

• Participate in and support schoolwide literacy planning and MTSS processes.

• Collaborate with administrators to align literacy instruction with the school's Read to Succeed plan and district goals.

• Provide access to current research, resources, and professional learning aligned with state literacy priorities.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel. 

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.  The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator or supervisor.  Saluda County Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time without prior notice.