Literacy Specialist, #1216: Ingenium Barack Obama Charter School, Compton, CA at Ingenium

                                      Literacy Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Literacy Specialist                             Schedule: 40 hrs/week min.

Job Type: Full-Time, At-Will                                FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Principal                                            Pay: $71,000 starting (DOE); Salary Scale

Special: Requires weekend work, nights 

and early mornings, as needed

ABOUT INGENIUM SCHOOLS

At Ingenium Schools, we create communities where everyone experiences joy and meaning in learning. We do this by preparing our students to be the best learners, leaders, and collaborators by empowering them with the capacity and tools to continually improve themselves and the world around them.

Since 2009, Ingenium Schools has helped students build confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning through the Ingenium Learning System, an easily replicable, standards-based educational model that promotes personal mastery. Ingenium Schools currently operates several charter schools, serving students throughout Los Angeles.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Literacy Specialist will provide identified students with ELA strategies, targeted to the student’s area(s) of need. The Literacy Specialist will use data-driven, research-validated and/or evidence-based practices to teach students the skills needed to learn English language arts as determined by teacher (professional learning communities) PLCs. The Literacy Specialist will monitor student progress and adjust strategies as needed and in collaboration with PLC teachers to ensure optimal student success and growth. The Literacy Specialist will use and seek technology to assist in student learning and instruction when appropriate. The Literacy Specialist will push into classrooms and will provide targeted small group support to students, as determined by the PLCs. The Literacy Specialist will provide targeted small group support for newcomer students. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & JOB DUTIES:

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

NETWORK CONTRIBUTIONS:

• Support the noble cause, mission, and core values of Ingenium Schools
• Strive to implement, by instruction and action, Ingenium Schools’ philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives in connection with Ingenium’s Signature Practices
• Continuously maintain and improve professional competence
• Attend mandatory trainings, professional meetings, and educational conferences, as required

LEARNING CULTURE

• Encourage students to set and maintain minimum standards of classroom behavior
• Create a safe, developmentally appropriate environment conducive to learning english language arts
• Implement and support school and organizational policies governing student life and conduct

ACADEMIC

• Instruct students individually and in groups using various teaching methods: direct instruction, discussion, demonstration, student-led instruction, etc. as determined by the PLC teacher group
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ differing needs and interests
• In harmony with curriculum goals and as directed by the PLC, establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students daily
• Prepare materials and work-space for activities

DATA DRIVEN

• Consistently and accurately observe and assess students’ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health, both formally and informally, through observation, authentic performance, and written evaluation
• Provide frequent and timely feedback to students and parents on student progress
• Recommend resources to parents for additional student growth
• Timely deliver accurate and complete written and oral progress reports
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by law and Ingenium Schools’ policies
• Maintain student confidentiality

COLLABORATION

• Confer with students and parents outside of the instructional day to resolve students’ behavioral and/or academic issues, as needed
• Maintain and improve professional competence and participate in professional development opportunities
• Actively participate in team meetings and serve on staff committees, school-wide events, parent workshops, and community partnership events, as needed and/or requested
• Assist with school/organizational events, general supervision, extra-curricular support, tutoring, etc., as needed
• Perform related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Highly effective pedagogy in literacy and english language arts
• California Common Core State Standards curriculum and instruction
• The Science of Reading
• Principles and methods of curriculum design and structured literacy 
• Effective measurements of learning/assessments, including diagnostic, formative and summative, performance tasks and project evaluation
• Child cognitive development and learning styles
• Learning strategies that extend all students towards high academic and personal achievement
• Teaching practices that result in intrinsically motivated students
• Computer application and Internet search skills

ABILITY TO:

• Establish a culture of high expectations based on the belief that all students can be successful
• Develop and implement lesson plans and classroom activities aligned with Common Core State Standards and Ingenium Learning System that increase student growth in english language arts
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative student data; create and track efficacy of data-driven action plans
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement student learning
• Effectively collaborate with colleagues, parents, and community including consistent participation in school and organization-wide Professional Learning Communities
• Manage student behavior to ensure every student is fully engaged, productive, and safe
• Maintain positive attitude
• Maintain regular attendance

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy, preferred
• Significant experience and training with structured literacy and targeted intervention, especially in a Title I school, preferred
• Experience supporting Multilingual learners

REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES: 

• Valid California teaching credential, required
• English Language Learner Authorization, required
• Literacy/Reading Certification, required
• CPR/First Aid (provided by Ingenium post-hire)

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT:

Majority of duties performed indoors in a classroom; some activities require outdoor supervision

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Ability to communicate and comprehend orally and in writing
• Near and far vision
• Selective attention: ability to concentrate on a task without being distracted
• Time sharing: ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information
• Memorization: ability to remember information such as words, numbers, and procedures
• Problem Sensitivity: ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong
• Deductive and inductive reasoning skills
• Ability to plan and deliver effective instruction to students
• Ability to walk and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Some kneeling, squatting, bending, required
• Dexterity of hands to demonstrate activities may be required
• Mathematical reasoning
• Ability to use a computer, mouse, and monitor
• Ability to use computer software and timely respond to emails