Director of Literacy

Austin Achieve Literacy Vision

Austin Achieve Public Schools is a school district that strongly believes that every scholar should possess the ability to read on grade level by the time they reach the 2nd grade so that they can eventually engage with complex texts. The school recognizes that having a strong foundation in literacy skills is crucial for scholars to be successful in analyzing and comprehending complex texts, as well as being able to construct essays that are backed up with substantial evidence throughout their academic and professional careers. Expressly, Austin Achieve is committed to ensuring that all of our scholars have the necessary literacy skills to thrive academically and beyond.

Director of Literacy

Austin Achieve is looking for an exceptional Director of Literacy to serve as our district content leader in literacy. The Director of Literacy is a district position reporting to the Chief Academic Officer and will serve as a critical member of the Austin Achieve Academic team. The Director of Literacy will work closely with the CAO, school leaders, and campus-based instructional leaders. Austin Achieve Public Schools believes in an explicit, systematic phonics-based approach to literacy and a direct instruction approach to foundational skills. The Director of Literacy 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:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Design and Development

• Foster a culture where every adult is motivated to ensure that all scholars reach grade-level reading proficiency by the end of 2nd grade and then have the ability to comprehend complex texts to derive meaning
• Work with the Academics Team and additional stakeholders (i.e. Principals, Assistant Principals of Instruction, Instruction Deans, and teachers) to actively strengthen & implement the network literacy vision and approach within and beyond ELA
• Codifies evidence-based reading instruction that is a cohesive and effective approach to literacy PK-12.
• Champion pedagogical shifts in curriculum design and delivery in conjunction with administrators.
• Collaborate with the members of school-based leadership teams and literacy educators to establish goals and prioritize literacy initiatives that push forward equitable scholar achievement in reading, analysis, verbal, and writing skills.
• Use data to develop network-level strategic goals and plans and work with schools to both build excitement and capacity for achieving these goals
• Lead the effort to codify daily curriculum, assessments, and supporting materials and engage in regular network-wide reviews to ensure curricular alignment, rigor, and cultural relevance
• Collaborate with District and site-level administration on the adoption and renewal of English Language Arts curricula, programs, interventions, and assessments.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders (Shared Services Team, school-based leaders, etc.) to lead a process for regular data analysis and action planning after assessments
• Develop frequent reports for internal and external accountability, including but not limited to the board, charter authorizers, and the Austin Achieve Senior Leadership Team

Leadership coaching, capacity building, and implementation leadership

• Oversee and direct all activities related to District literacy programs and strategies.
• Support and coach school-based leaders in the evaluation of their literacy program, staff, and scholar outcomes
• Conduct data-driven audits and generate support plans for schools with underperforming literacy outcomes
• Design and facilitate professional development and facilitate collaboration and the sharing of knowledge across the network of schools
• Give feedback on professional development developed by school-based literacy leaders and/or classroom teachers
• Organize and lead instructional rounds and walkthroughs across the K-12 network
• Research and distill lessons learned and make recommendations to school-based content teams
• Perform other duties as directed or as the need arises.

Preferred Experience:

• Educator with at least 3 years of English teaching experience with demonstrated outstanding scholar outcomes.
• Experience at multiple school levels preferred
• Instructional Leadership experience preferred

How to Apply

Please email your resume, a brief statement of interest, and your vision for the future of Literacy at AAPS to Mackee Mason (mmason@austinachieve.org). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status. People of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.