Lower School Literacy Coach & Interventionist (rev.11052025) presso ENSWORTH SCHOOL

Position Description and Qualifications

Job Posting Summary: 

Ensworth’s Lower School seeks a dynamic, research-driven Lower School Literacy Coach and Interventionist who will accelerate literacy achievement and joyful, expert teaching across lower grades. This role blends high-impact coaching and targeted intervention: you will coach and mentor classroom teachers, lead universal screening and progress monitoring (we use evidence-based tool, Acadience Reading), design and deliver Tier II/III interventions, and partner with families and leadership to drive measurable growth. The ideal candidate is a collaborative instructional leader who brings warmth, high expectations, and a commitment to culturally responsive literacy practices.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Abides by Ensworth’s Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct
• Commits to the ideals expressed in Ensworth’s Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
• Adheres to the Essential Expectations of an Ensworth Faculty, Staff, or Administrator
• Instructional Coaching & Teacher Development (30%)
• Lead ongoing coaching cycles (observe, model, co-teach, debrief) with classroom teachers focused on foundational reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency), comprehension, and writing across the day.
• Design and deliver job-embedded professional learning and grade-level PLC support tied to school goals and standards.
• Assessment & Data Systems (20%)
• Manage universal screeners and diagnostic tools (e.g., Acadience Reading ; progress monitoring). Train staff in administration and interpretation; maintain data dashboards.
• Use data to identify students for Tier II/III support and to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Intervention Delivery & Case Management (50%)
• Provide evidence-based, small-group and one-to-one interventions (Tier II/III). Design intervention plans, keep progress monitoring records, and adjust instruction based on frequent data.
• Lead family communication for students receiving intervention; collaborate with Student Support / Learning Differences services as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of Lower School

Qualifications/Experience:

• Master’s degree in Literacy/Reading and/or Literacy Specialist credential, Orton-Gillingham trained and at least 3+ years of experience in the classroom.
• Proficient understanding of the reading components (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) and writing components (spelling, handwriting, written composition), and the ability to use data from all types of assessment to design, adjust, and deliver evidence-based instruction and interventions that support all learners.
• Demonstrated experience with screening & progress monitoring (Acadience, etc.) and with delivering small-group interventions.
• Experience coaching adults and implementing coaching cycles; ability to build teacher capacity.
• Well-developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with all constituents in a school environment, including students, co-workers, and parents.
• Teamwork, dependability, flexibility, willingness to listen and learn, problem-solving skills, and congeniality are essential
• Advanced understanding and ability to use computers and technology including google docs, spreadsheets, and online databases
• Must successfully complete background screening and verification
• Continued Education Programs (as required by Grade Level and/or position) – Periodically participate in different training sessions identified by you, the employee and/or Divisional Leadership/Supervisor with the goal of keeping our teachers and staff up to date with current teaching methods, practices and any new knowledge in their respective field. Dependent on the program, such training may need to take place outside of normal working hours and/or in the summer months.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate
• Regularly uses close and distance vision, works at a computer screen for extended periods of time, ability to observe students from various distances
• Works at a desk for extended periods of time, frequently moves around campus
• Ability to occasionally move items 30 lbs. across the campus
• Sometimes works in an occasionally stressful environment, effectively dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts
• Stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
• Ability to regularly work flexible hours to support before and after-school or weekend events
• Ensworth requires employees to be physically present on campus, with limited exceptions that are at the sole discretion of the School. Under extraordinary circumstances, some or all of the workforce may be required to move to a remote working environment. Additionally, certain individuals may also be approved for limited remote work, based on the nature of the job description, specific circumstances, and only with written prior approval by a direct supervisor.

Application Requirements:

Qualified candidates should complete an online application for employment and attach a cover letter and résumé. Contact Kerry Ann Masoner at [email protected] with any questions.

About Ensworth School:

Ensworth is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, coeducational independent school. The School promotes academic excellence and inspires students to be intellectually curious, to use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.

Located on two campuses in Nashville, Tennessee, Ensworth enrolls approximately 1,250 students and serves families in more than 50 zip codes. Ensworth is recognized among the leading independent schools in the nation. The school’s challenging academic program is embedded in a culture of support and encouragement and reflects a commitment to the core skills of observation, collaboration, communication, analysis, questioning, evaluation, and most importantly, the application of knowledge. Graduates have the adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness necessary for success in the 21^st century and are not only prepared to meet the demands of the future but are also imbued with a sense of purpose and service to others.

Ensworth School is an extraordinary place to work and seeks employees who are passionate about learning and motivated by the opportunity to awaken that passion in students.

It is Ensworth's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law. It is the intent and resolve of Ensworth to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. This equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, evaluation, promotion, disciplinary action, termination, compensation and training. Employment decisions at Ensworth will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.