Middle School Literacy Specialist

Company Description

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a network of 23 high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools. We educate more than 9,800 students in grades pre-K through eighth in the greater Los Angeles area and San Diego. Additionally, we support approximately 5,100 alumni on their journey to and through high school and college.  

What We Believe

KIPP SoCal believes that the purpose of education is for liberation. This means that we see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all of our KIPPsters.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Middle School Literacy Specialist reports to the Associate Director of Literacy. They will lead the design and implementation of the KIPP SoCal middle school literacy approach, with a primary focus on literacy in grades 5-8. All efforts driven by the Middle School Literacy Specialist will be in service of an equitable, inclusive, rigorous, and diverse learning experience in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for all students. 

Primary Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the AD of Literacy and Director of Teaching & Learning, the middle school literacy specialist will create and document an inclusive, equitable, and culturally relevant vision for excellence in middle school literacy
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Literacy to create the enabling systems to realize the vision
• Research, recommend, and review curricular and assessment options 
• Lead any adaptation efforts to middle school literacy curricula to better meet the needs of students (e.g. adjusting lessons / units per the gradual release of responsibility instructional framework).
• Monitor and lead the creation and adjustment of regional scopes and sequences for middle school literacy
• Monitor and, when relevant, lead the creation of regional formative and summative middle school literacy assessments
• Conduct literacy observations and literacy walkthroughs in collaboration with the Associate Director of Literacy and school site-level instructional leaders.
• Lead the planning and execution of regional professional development in middle school literacy 
• Plan and lead professional development at schools in literacy on an ad hoc or on-going basis based on individual schools’ needs in literacy
• Coach and develop specific teachers across schools when needed
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Literacy to plan and lead middle school content team meetings for literacy
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Literacy to craft a personalized professional learning plan (e.g. text study, workshops, conferences, school visits, etc.) to build knowledge and capacity in early literacy content and teaching and learning instructional methods and practices

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (required)
• 4-5 years of teaching related experience, preferably charter schools
• Deep experience with and knowledge best practice research methods for early literacy and language acquisition
• Experience driving outcomes for students of all ability levels
• Critical thinking skills and creativity in building strong systems and structures that support literacy instruction
• Extensive experience designing and leading professional development and training sessions to a variety of teacher experience levels
• Excellent project management skills
• Experience leading teams to drive results
• A deep passion for social justice, anti-racism work, and equity for all children
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and build relationships across teams and schools
• Model the values of KIPP SoCal (lead with love, strength in the collective, equity and excellence, curiosity and integrity)

Additional Information

Joining KIPP SoCal Means the Following

• Working at an organization committed to the hard work necessary to ensure education is for liberation 
• Spending time with students and families in the best