KIPP Delta is part of the nation-wide KIPP non-profit network of 242 college-preparatory, public charter schools educating early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students. KIPP Delta currently serves nearly 1,200 students in Helena and Blytheville, AR.

he Literacy Director is a regional position reporting to the Chief Academic Officer and will serve as a critical member of the KIPP Delta academic team.  The Literacy Director will work closely with the region’s academic team, school leaders, and assistant principals. KIPP Delta Public Schools believes in an explicit phonics-based approach to literacy and a direct instruction approach to foundational skills. The literacy director will be charged with coaching teachers to improve their literacy instructional practices, supporting leaders in coaching and reviewing literacy data, supporting the implementation of literacy curriculum, leading professional development, driving literacy content team meetings, and developing with support the regional approach to literacy and reading intervention.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Vision and Strategy  

• Develop and/or refine KIPP Delta’s regional vision for excellent literacy instruction across the prekindergarten through twelfth grade continuum 

• Create a plan for each academic year to increase the number of students who read at- or above-grade-level, including special education students, students with dyslexia, and English language learners 

• Partner with the regional academic team to build and drive a regional academic strategy that ensures KIPP Delta students are college-ready by high school graduation 

• Communicate the vision and strategy across KIPP Delta’s schools in order to ensure that all instructional staff, students, families, and other stakeholders know and understand the vision for excellent literacy instruction and the regional academic strategy 

Curriculum and Assessment 

• In year 1, identify high quality, vertically aligned literacy curriculum for middle and high schools along with a plan for implementation  and support the implementation of new elementary school curriculum 

• Provide literacy curriculum training to ensure teachers can execute against our existing literacy curriculum successfully and leaders can coach teachers to effectively implement the curriculum  

• Ensure intervention staff is trained 

• Monitor progress and analyze literacy data in order to identify bright spots and areas for growth 

• Support quarterly curriculum and assessment evaluation meetings by providing data and analysis to help leaders make data-informed choices for reteaching or other interventions 

Teacher and Leader Support 

• Observe, coach, and debrief literacy lessons, including lessons delivered in intervention groups and special education classes, with teachers to improve the quality of instructional practices and lead to increased student growth using the walkthrough and literacy rubrics 

• Observe, coach, and debrief school leaders’ coaching of literacy instruction in order to improve leaders’ coaching ability within their schools 

• Analyzes and responds to region wide literacy teacher performance and achievement data to adjust approach and support struggling teachers and schools 

• Lead literacy content team meetings and develop teacher and school leaders to drive the work of content team meetings over time 

• Develop and facilitate professional development to support the improvement of literacy practices 

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preference for a Master’s Degree in reading or a closely related degree 

• Ability to evaluate and implement literacy instructional programs and a deep content knowledge 

• At least 4 years of demonstrable success in teaching reading or coaching reading in a Title I school that takes an explicit phonics-based approach to teaching foundational reading skills 

• Minimum 1 year of experience in a coaching role (dean of instructional, instructional coach, etc.) with demonstrated success in getting academic results through others 

• Experience analyzing student data and using data to inform instruction and drive results 

• Experience managing adults; goal-setting, providing meaningful feedback, and driving results through others 

• Experience leading engaging and effective professional development for adults 

• Strong communication skills and follow-through 

• Demonstrated initiative in prioritizing amidst complex needs and strategically planning to get results 

• Flexibility and ability to multi-task within an ambiguous, fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions 

• Working knowledge of Common Core Standards and the pedagogical shifts they demand 

• Demonstrated passion for the mission, vision and values of KIPP Delta Public Schools; comfort and willingness to actively participate in the school and neighborhood community 

KIPP Delta offers competitive salary and benefits packages commensurate with experience.

As an equal opportunity employer, KIPP Delta does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other basis made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations.