Literacy Specialist (Consultant)

About Masa:

Masa partners with Mexican and Latin American children, youth, and families in the South Bronx to develop strong learners and leaders who fully contribute to the larger community. We envision a community that is civically engaged, empowered, and educated.

Masa’s community-led, integrated model engages the entire family, grounded in a deep commitment to strengthening literacy, leadership, and power for Mexican, Central American, and Indigenous People. Masa fosters a culturally responsive learning community in which families engage with direct service and advocacy programs to dismantle barriers to success.

Masa is seeking a highly qualified, dynamic, and experienced bilingual K–8 literacy expert to serve as a Literacy Specialist Consultant. This role involves conducting onsite literacy assessments and developing curriculum, as well as push-in support strategies to engage students enrolled in Masa’s summer and year-round academic support programs. The position is especially focused on supporting students who are reading below grade level. This is a contract position, requiring approximately 20 hours per week, with in-person availability from the hours of 2:30 pm-7:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays. The contract will run from 6/1/2026-12/31/2026 with the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities:

Literacy Assessment & Instructional Support

• Conduct literacy assessments for program participants to inform curriculum design and to measure student progress
• Develop engaging, culturally responsive literacy curriculum for the K–5 literacy programs, incorporating a range of engagement tools and strategies to meet literacy goals of program participantsDeliver onsite literacy coaching and instructional support to K–8 program participants
• Create individualized literacy support plans for students struggling with literacy
• Differentiate lesson plans and instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including English Language Learners
• Support the implementation of screening assessments, progress monitoring systems, and targeted interventions
• Provide direct supervision, training and oversight of implementation of literacy curriculum by program staff, interns, and volunteers as required

Training & Professional Development

• Facilitate professional learning sessions and literacy-focused trainings for staff and volunteers
• Train and mentor program staff, interns, and volunteers on effective curriculum implementation
• Promote classroom and behavior management practices grounded in growth mindset and positive discipline approaches
• Maintain clear documentation of coaching observations, feedback, and instructional recommendations
• Collaborate with program staff on curriculum implementation and continuous instructional improvement

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in education, reading, literacy, or a related subject, special Education, or related field
• Knowledge of state and national literacy efforts including knowledge of Science of Reading through evidence-based practice and proven experience implementing structured literacy programs
• Valid New York State teaching certification
• Experience as classroom teacher or literacy specialist for grades K-5
• Strong understanding of grade-level reading and writing expectations
• Excellent classroom management skills grounded in a positive discipline approach
• Experience with and passion for supporting English Language Learners
• Culturally responsive curriculum development experience
• Ability to mentor program staff, interns and volunteers to effectively implement the curriculum
• Must have excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of current educational trends in Literacy curriculum and experience successfully teaching and instructing children/youth
• Sensitive to social-emotional needs and characteristics of students in particular those of immigrant background

Preferred qualifications:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Knowledge of or prior experience working with Latin American immigrant communities in education

Compensation:

$32–$45 per hour commensurate with experience

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred, but not required.