Literacy Specialist

Full-time opportunity starting in August of 2023. Alta Vista Lower School is seeking a literacy specialist to provide leadership, intervention, collaboration, and innovation in reading and writing curriculum and instruction. This role requires an experienced, energetic, and learner-centric educator with a passion for developing and supporting the literacy program and providing differentiated and innovative learning experiences. Alta Vista Lower School is a JK-5 independent elementary school in San Francisco that offers inquiry-based, child-centered, and STEAM-based learning environment. Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential.

Core Alta Vista Responsibilities and Skills Include:

Collaborate with the Head of Lower School and Student Support Team to support and implement a comprehensive intervention model of push-in small group support, including book clubs and writing support.
Administer literacy assessments and analyze data. Work with various teams (administrators, teachers, grade-level) to facilitate analysis of data provided by diagnostics, common assessments, and formative assessments, and design intervention plans accordingly.
Hold an in-depth knowledge of literacy curricula, assessment tools, and best teaching practices to support, implement, and evaluate the literacy program.
Coach literacy classroom teachers in developing high-quality, innovative, and flexible curriculum that aligns with the mission of Alta Vista School and meets the individual needs of the students.
Lead educators in training and occasional school-wide presentations on literacy interventions.
Serve as a resource for other educators and parents.
Possess a passion for literacy and have the ability to spark student motivation and love of learning.
Work cooperatively and collegially with the school’s administration, other faculty and staff, and the parents to create and maintain an exemplary school environment.
Cultivate collaboration, transparency, inclusion, curiosity, fun, innovation, and excellence in a dynamic learning community.
Prepare for and actively participate in all school activities, faculty meetings, and conferences, including those with parents, during and after school hours as necessary.
Willingness to examine and reflect on one’s own skills in order to continuously improve one’s practice.
Willingness to carry out responsibilities remotely as required

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree, Masters preferred. Specifically, Reading Specialist Credential or Reading Certificate preferred.
Minimum of three years of teaching experience at elementary or middle school.
A deep understanding of theories of literacy, including the diagnostic teaching of reading, reading intervention, adolescent literacy, Guided Reading, and English Language Development.
Experience with administering and interpreting results from various reading assessments, such as the Words Their Way Literacy Program and the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark System and Literacy Continuum, or others, as well as using the results to determine instructional implications.

Salary:

$72,000 – $100,000, based on experience

If interested, please send a resume and cover letter, detailing your educational philosophy and why you believe you would be a good fit at Alta Vista, to lshiring.committee@altavistaschool.org.

Alta Vista is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all faculty, students, and families. The Alta Vista School does not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status or disability.