Milwaukee Literacy Coach

POSITION SUMMARY: The Literacy Lab is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable full-time Literacy Coach to support its early childhood literacy program and operations. The Literacy Coach will provide instructional support and professional development to the Leading Men Fellows, driving literacy in early childhood classrooms. This role includes real-time coaching, modeling evidence-based interventions (SEEDS of Learning), delivering training, facilitating practice sessions, providing expertise, observing interventions, analyzing student data, and addressing program implementation challenges. This position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a committed and collaborative team focused on closing the literacy opportunity gap and promoting educational equity in marginalized communities nationwide.

ABOUT THE LITERACY LAB: The Literacy Lab is a fast-paced, national non-profit organization with a mission to provide students in communities experiencing racial and/or economic inequities with evidence-based, culturally responsive literacy instruction as preparation for academic, professional, and personal success. We partner with school districts and communities to add capacity to help close the literacy opportunity gap for children before third grade. The Literacy Lab’s flagship program, the Leading Men Fellowship, provides young men of color who are between the ages of 18 and 24 with an opportunity to launch their careers and be at the center of change by serving as early literacy tutors for a school year through a residency-style program. This is a special time in the evolution of The Literacy Lab as it clarifies and expands its role in the educational equity landscape. 

THE LITERACY LAB’S COMMUNITY IMPACT: The education system in the United States continues to be deeply impacted by a long history of unjust policies that socio-economically disinvest in communities of color. The Literacy Lab’s mission is to address inequities by providing students of color with individualized reading instruction to improve their literacy skills. We believe that when young people of all races and from different economic brackets have equitable access to robust educational and professional development opportunities, they will be more successful as adults, and their communities will be more resilient and prosperous. Since 2009, The Literacy Lab has provided evidence-based literacy interventions to more than 30,000 children from marginalized communities to develop early literacy skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The Literacy Coach reports to the Program Manager and is responsible for the following:

• Participate in and support the facilitation of all cohort training, including Ascend (summer training), assessment training (PELI), and ongoing training.
• Complete necessary preparation work for training, conduct assigned training, and participate in coaching and feedback sessions with the Program Manager.
• Support classroom Lead Teachers in their progression through required trainings.
• Plan and facilitate supplemental training and workshops to promote ongoing Fellow learning and professional development.
• Communicate with school staff, program staff, and Fellows about benchmark assessment preparations (fall, winter, and spring).
• Perform assessment fidelity checks and ensure that data is recorded and entered promptly for each student.
• Observe Fellows on caseload at least twice monthly; provide in-person coaching and re-training as necessary; ensure observation checklists are completed and fidelity data is tracked appropriately.
• Ensure Fellows implement SEEDS of Early Literacy Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions with fidelity.
• Supervise and monitor the collection of benchmark data and progress monitoring assessment data; ensure regular recording of data in an online database.
• Facilitate ongoing communication with lead teachers about the alignment of Literacy Lab tutoring with the core literacy curriculum and individual student reading needs.
• Support teaching teams with model-related issues or questions (intervention implementation, student engagement, etc.).
• Participate in tri-annual Response to Intervention (RtI) data decision-making meetings to review data and plan interventions.
• Provide consultation support for the identification and prioritization of students for targeted supplemental interventions.
• Collaborate with program team members to build a comprehensive support system for assigned program sites.
• Meet with program staff weekly to review Fellows’ progress and plan for the upcoming month; participate in other Literacy Lab meetings and events as needed.
• Monitor the completeness and accuracy of student data in the online data management system.
• Participate in site visits with external stakeholders and internal stakeholders, including the Stewardship Team, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors as needed.
• Participate in periodic observation and coaching sessions to ensure coaching fidelity and best practices.
• Attend monthly meetings facilitated by the Director of Literacy Development to collaborate with other Literacy Coaches.
• Stay current on literacy, education, and adult learning research and practices.
• Attend monthly staff meetings with all Literacy Lab staff.
• Participate in ongoing staff development such as training and DEI initiatives.
• Collaborate on regional projects and regularly attend regional standing meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: We are seeking candidates who possess the following qualities:

• A proven commitment to closing the equity gap. 
• Evidence of passion for learning and incorporating an antiracist approach in all aspects of work and through equitable approaches.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Solutions-oriented mindset and the skills to be an effective ambassador for The Literacy Lab. 
• Ability to work well and problem-solve independently.
• Experience as a trainer or facilitator. 
• Growth mindset and dedication to continuous development and improvement. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with individuals, teams, and administrators and a demonstrated people-first approach to relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Pre-K-12 Education, Early Literacy and Reading Development, Learning and Development, Adult Learning, or Bachelor’s Degree in one of these or a related field.
• An established connection to the community where we serve.
• Experience working with young men of color between the ages of 18 and 24.
• Fluency with Trauma-Informed Care and/or Healing Centered Practices
• Bi-lingual in Spanish

POSITION DETAILS 

Position Type: Full-time

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: The salary for this position is $58,150.00. Benefits include a flexible work environment, 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and 50% for dependents, employer-paid short and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance, a 403b retirement plan, and paid vacation, sick and wellness leave, and holidays. 

WORK LOCATION: Approximately 35% of the Literacy Coach’s work may be conducted remotely, but there may still be meetings/events for which the Coach is expected to report to school or to the office in person. Schools may require monthly visits that are one or more hours away. Literacy Coaches will spend school-site work hours building relationships with school partners, observing tutoring interventions, coaching tutors, and holding data meetings.

TRAVEL: This position requires regular travel within the region and may require out-of-town travel (1+ hours away) of approximately 5-10 days/nights per year with notice.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to jobs@theliteracylab.org  (with the subject ATTN: Milwaukee Literacy Coach). 

The Literacy Lab is an equal opportunity employer that values equity and recruits a diverse, inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage women, people of color, those who live with disabilities, and folks who identify as LGBTQ+ to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.