Literacy Instructor

Overview

Achieve Now, a literacy nonprofit dedicated to changing educational outcomes in Philadelphia, is looking to hire a Literacy Instructor for the 2024-25 school year, in a contract ending June 13, 2025.

We are a social justice organization that sees literacy as a mechanism to effect social change. Our mission is to provide all K-2 schoolchildren in Greater Philadelphia with high-quality, culturally competent literacy instruction. Our vision is to produce strong, confident, effective, and joyful readers who see reading as an integral part of their lives and are life-long learners. To realize these goals, we affirm student identities, using values-driven and asset-based language; approach students with high expectations; and celebrate the many and varied skills students possess.

Position Summary:

Literacy Instructor is a hybrid position. On M-W-F, LIs deliver Achieve Now’s curriculum in schools to small groups of kindergarten or first grade students; on T-Th, you would work from home, supporting volunteer coaches who deliver our curriculum to first or second grade students. Literacy Instruction Specialists report to the Director of Programs and work closely with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Responsibilities:

Program Implementation:

• Oversee session logistics, including but not limited to providing tech support to volunteers and students, reporting student and volunteer attendance, and assigning and adjusting student lesson sequences;
• Provide ongoing support to both volunteers and students; 
• Deliver literacy content with accuracy, fidelity, and consistency;
• Ensure students meet learning goals by evaluating growth through observation and assessment;
• Create and implement action plans, including introducing volunteers to new teaching methods; and
• Communicate and respond appropriately and in a timely manner with teachers, volunteers, parents, and Achieve Now staff to ensure smooth program operation. 

Data Collection & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records and submit required session data collection documents in a timely manner;
• Create reports detailing student progress for distribution to parents, volunteers and teachers;
• Attend team meetings to debrief on trends and discuss instructional best practices; and
• Contribute actively – through observation and discussion - to internal program evaluation.

Administrative Support:

• Assist in yearly program set-up and close out tasks;
• Assist leadership team, when necessary, with projects in the areas of communications, development, programming, and curriculum.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate possesses: a genuine passion for educational equity and is strongly aligned with Achieve Now's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and perceived the benefits of culturally competent teaching; the hallmarks of a growth mindset: adaptability, patience, and resilience; the ability to work with diverse groups and to build rapport and trust with a wide range of constituents; compassion for the struggles of learners; strong relationship management skills, with ability to handle problems, concerns, and emotional distress with sensitivity; interest and experience supporting adult volunteers; strong organizational and time management skills and demonstrated attention to detail; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Experience with educational or education-adjacent nonprofits a plus. Previous work with 5 to 8-year-olds, especially in K-2 classrooms, highly desirable, as is a history of early literacy instruction, especially phonics and phonemic awareness; remote learning; “warm strict” classroom management style; formative and summative assessment administration; communication with parents and guardians; trauma-informed best practices; and creating and implementing targeted intervention.

B.A. or equivalent experience required, as is familiarity with Microsoft Office suite, Google Workspace, and Zoom.

We particularly welcome candidates conversant with the science of reading and adult learning theory as well as those with an advanced degree in literacy or reading education or reading specialist certification.

All applicants must meet PA State background check requirements [PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint Check] at hire and every five years thereafter. You’ll also need to adhere to COVID safety guidelines as required by the Department of Human Services and/or our school partners.

Work Environment

Achieve Now currently maintains a hybrid work environment where staff work from home and at one of our school partner sites, as determined by the staff member's or team’s responsibilities. We support students in two program models: a virtual one-on-one model where we facilitate and support volunteers’ tutoring of first and second grade students; and an in-person small group model featuring direct instruction to small groups of kindergarten and first grade students at our partner schools.

Equal Opportunity/ EOE Statement

Achieve Now is deeply committed to equal employment opportunity. To that end, Achieve Now, the Board of Directors and the Executive Director will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Achieve Now will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.

This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline and termination.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

Achieve Now strives to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.