The School District of Beloit is seeking an Early Literacy Coach to build educator capacity and strengthen explicit, systematic, science-based early literacy instruction in K-3 classrooms, without reliance on three-cueing practices. The coach works to improve instructional quality and ensure all students have access to effective literacy practices. The goal of the Early Literacy Coaching Program is to strengthen local systems to increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the reading portion of the 3rd grade Forward Exam. Early Literacy Coaches collaborate with educators and school teams to strengthen comprehensive early literacy systems and ensure alignment across instruction, assessment, and intervention to reduce achievement disparities. Coaches engage in continuous improvement cycles, using data and reflective practices to refine instruction and improve literacy outcomes for all students.
What You'll Do:
Provide professional learning or early literacy coaching related to screening, diagnostic, and personal reading plans.
Meet with building and district administrators bi-weekly to analyze data about progress towards the early literacy goal.
Align services with school improvement efforts including but not limited to: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA), Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), WiMLSS Project and/or Technical Assistance (TA) network.
Complete 5K - 3rd grade literacy audit of all data sources related to student literacy learning, adult use of specific literacy instructional practices, literacy assessment practices, use of school-selected instructional materials, and literacy professional learning practices.
Maintain confidentiality
Implementation of continuous improvement of local mult-level systems of support. This includes but is not limited to high quality instruction, strong universal, continuum of support, strategic use of data, collaboration, and systematic implementation.
Create and implement an early literacy coaching plan. The early literacy coaching plan will include engaging general and special educators responsible for early literacy instruction and support in a series of continuous improvement cycles that include identifying current practices; collaborating with schools and district leaders to identify evidence-based early literacy practices that accelerate student learning, especially those that address achievement disparities in reading; facilitating professional learning for all staff on how to effectively implement the selected practice; coaching educators one-on-one or in small groups to support and refine implementation; and visiting classrooms to collect data and determine next steps.
Facilitate small or large group professional learning using DPI approved materials and use Learning Forward Standards.
Coach educators about early literacy. Coaching may include modeling, observing, co-planning and discussing data (analyzing student data and adjusting instruction.)
Attend DPI framework training offered by Wisconsin's Equitable Multi-Level Systems of Support Project
Participation in monthly in-person and synchronous virtual professional learning facilitated through the DPI Office of Literacy.
Create and implement an individual learning plan.
Reporting on implementation of the Wisconsin Early Literacy Coaching Program and its local impact using DPI templates that includes but not limited to: coaching log tracking dates and topics of collaborative sessions, artifacts from professional learning sessions, feedback from educators, coaching log tracking numbers of teachers and grade-levels, and evaluation/feedback after professional learning sessions.
Promote the Wisconsin Early Literacy Coaching Program
Per DPI Grant, the coach cannot do the following:
Cannot serve as substitutes or be assigned non-instructional duties such as lunch, recess or other times.
Cannot provide direct instruction to students through universal instruction, intervention, or supervise field trips.
Cannot administer screening or diagnostic assessments or write personal reading plans.
What You'll Bring:
Bachelor''s degree and a minimum 5 years of successful classroom teaching experience in literacy; master''s degree preferred
Hold or eligible to hold a Wisconsin reading specialist license (17/5017)
Meet all requirements in the school or district's background check process
Knowledge and demonstrated use of explicit and systematic instruction and assessment practices in all the following areas of science-based early literacy in 5K - 3rd grade: phonological awareness; oral language development; phonics; background knowledge; vocabulary; writing; comprehension; and fluency
Knowledge and demonstrated use of techniques for explicit and systematic instruction for 5K - 3rd grade that do not use three-cueing
Knowledge and demonstrated use of instruction and assessment strategies to address reading achievement disparities in 5K - 3rd grade (including at least one or more of the following: students with IEPs, characteristics of dyslexia, who are culturally and/or linguistically diverse, who live in poverty and English or multi-lingual learners)
Successful experience delivering and/or supporting K-12 literacy instruction as an elementary teacher (e.g., classroom, special education, English- or multi-lingual learner, or reading teacher), a coach working in 5K - 3rd grade, building or district administrator, or district reading specialist
Knowledge of best practices in early literacy coaching
Knowledge of principles of adult learning (such as those included in Learning Forward's Standards for Professional Development)
Knowledge and demonstrated application of strategies to build relationships with adults, ability to communicate clearly (including in writing), and ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators in one-on-one, small or large groups, and in other settings to improve students' reading achievement
Understanding of Wisconsin Standards for ELA (2020), especially in 5K through 3rd grade
Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues, including the ability to create and nurture a professional community of adult learners
Demonstrated Teacher Leadership and Professionalism
Demonstrated expertise in oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Strong interpersonal skills
Models continual improvement, demonstrates lifelong learning, and applies new learning for both student and personal growth
Demonstrates evidence of professional growth, including leadership and participation in a wide range of significant professional development activities
ABOUT US: The School District of Beloit is committed to preparing students who are college and career ready, empowered with effective communication, critical thinking, and life skills, which enable them to be productive global citizens. We are located on the southern Wisconsin state line in Rock county approximately 50 miles from Madison, 70 miles from Milwaukee, and 90 miles from Chicago.
We invite you to explore the career opportunities at the School District of Beloit. We are a diverse and dynamic district serving over 4,000 students with six (6) elementary (4K-5) schools, two (2) middle schools (6 - 8), one (1) traditional high school (9-12) under the Ford NGL academy model, and one (1) alternative high school.
Our schools are staffed by highly qualified, talented employees and receive support from instructional content specialists and student services staff. We have programs for every child: advanced learning, virtual/online classes, early childhood, all-day 4K, dual-language immersion, an advanced technical training center, and a state-recognized intervention model.
Our mission, values, and goals support the academic success of our students. Our dedicated and talented teachers, administration, and staff reinforce and encourage high academic expectations, quality instructional practices, viable curriculum, student engagement, and an emphasis on 21st Century Learning that highlights critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
Beloit was forged in fire and heavy industrial manufacturing, but we survived the great recession with a renewed spirit. We celebrate a proud legacy of strength, beauty, and diversity. Located in southern Wisconsin and bordering northern Illinois, Beloit's best assets include a beautiful riverfront; charming downtown full of shops, hotels and restaurants; the internationally renowned Beloit College; the Beloit International Film Festival; miles of hiking and bike trails; interesting museums; and, of course, the School District of Beloit. This town of 37,000 is also the headquarters for several national and international companies including Hendricks Commercial Properties, ABC Supply, Kerry Americas, Rakuten, and PlayMonster.
We invite you to be a part of our thriving community!