Organizational Overview:
KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are around 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Atlanta currently operates 9 schools including four primary schools, five middle schools and one high school, as well as KIPP Forward which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life. We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars.
What We Value:
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Good Decision-Making: “I make thoughtful decisions in alignment with my school’s and organization’s values.”
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Peer Accountability: “I hold all Big KIPPsters accountable to our schools’ and organization’s values, standards, and expectations.”
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Excellence Always: “I do all aspects of my work with excellence - the big and the little things, the parts being monitored as well as those not monitored.”
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Communication is Key: “I communicate with both honesty and love. How I communicate nurtures courage, belonging, partnership, and progress toward our promise to KIPPsters and families.”
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Scholars Over Everything: “I put our scholars first, 100% of the time, without fail. I quickly resolve any and all adult-centered concerns and qualms to reserve my individual and our collective time and attention for our KIPPsters.”
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Walk Trumps Talk: “I chose this social justice career. And so, I behave in alignment with my choice. My behaviors match our promise to our scholars and families.”
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“Us” Only: “I belong to every member of our organization, and every member of our organization belongs to me. I choose unity always - in both the good times and hard times.”
Job Summary:
School-based literacy coaches will work in assigned schools to support Georgia's literacy legislation and provide appropriate services to schools so that there can be a cohesive, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused approach that is rigorous, engaging, and relevant for students. School-based literacy coaches will provide a non-threatening, open, professional, and collaborative work relationship with principals, other academic coaches, and teachers. They will be required to effectively identify the needs of assigned schools in order to prioritize, schedule, organize, and provide technical assistance so that students in assigned schools achieve grade-level reading.
Role Assurances:
Consistent with Georgia literacy legislation, the School-Based Literacy Coach shall not be:
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Authorized or required to perform administrative functions or duties, including, but not limited to, performing any rotating duty assignments or serving as an evaluator, substitute teacher, assessment coordinator, or school administrator;
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Invited, required, or permitted to attend placement committee meetings;
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Designated as a teacher of record.
Job Responsibilities:
Literacy Coaching, Classroom Support & Educator Development 40%
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Coach educators using non-evaluative, evidence-based practices, including modeling instruction, analyzing instructional practice and data, providing actionable feedback, and delivering side-by-side classroom support.
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Spend no less than 70 percent of the school day in classrooms working directly with students and teachers.
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Prioritize time for those teachers, activities, and roles that will have the greatest impact on student reading achievement, such as coaching and mentoring in classrooms.
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Demonstrate competency through approved, periodic, practice-based assessment that verifies the ability to apply the science of reading, learning science, and instructional science to deliver explicit, systematic, evidence-based literacy instruction directly with students.
Data Analysis, Literacy Achievement & Instructional Improvement 35%
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Analyze student data, including screening, diagnostic, and progress-monitoring data, to inform instruction, grouping, and intervention within a multi-tiered system of supports framework.
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Synthesize student performance data and educator practice data to establish coaching goals and design targeted, needs-based support for educators.
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Support the implementation and monitoring of evidence-based literacy curricula and instructional materials with fidelity, ensuring alignment to the science of reading.
Strategic Planning, Collaboration & Program Implementation 25%
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Collaborate with the school principal to create a strategic plan for literacy coaching.
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Support Georgia's literacy legislation and literacy initiatives through coordinated implementation efforts.
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Provide technical assistance that supports schools in achieving grade-level reading outcomes.
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Maintain a non-threatening, open, professional, and collaborative working relationship with principals, academic coaches, and teachers.
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Prioritize, schedule, organize, and provide support services that maximize literacy achievement and educator effectiveness.
Required Qualifications:
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Valid Georgia teaching or service certificate at level 4 or higher.
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A minimum of five years of documented successful classroom teaching or literacy intervention experience at assigned grade levels.
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Knowledge of scientifically based reading research.
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Special expertise in quality reading instruction and intervention.
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Knowledge of dyslexia-specific interventions.
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Knowledge of data analysis.
A thorough understanding of:
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Reading processes, acquisition, assessment, and instruction.
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Systematic, explicit instructional process.
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Instructional coaching approaches and strategies for teaching adult learners.
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Scientific reading research and its application to effective classroom instruction, structure, and practices, as well as intervention.
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Georgia's K–12 ELA Standards.
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Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
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Data analysis and application.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Georgia Reading Endorsement.
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LETRS or Science of Reading professional learning.
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Experience serving as a literacy coach, reading specialist, interventionist, or instructional coach.
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Experience facilitating professional learning for educators.
Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation is competitive and aligned with KIPP Atlanta Schools’ leadership salary bands. The salary range for this role is $55,000- $73,750 and is based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Most new hires are placed in the lower to mid-range of the salary range. Placement near the top of the range is uncommon at hire and reserved for individuals who exceed role qualifications through depth of expertise, leadership maturity, and proven results leading complex initiatives with sustained, organization-level impact. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health insurance, retirement options, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
KIPP Atlanta Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
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15 days of Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays
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Comprehensive health insurance (medical and dental), life insurance and optional short and long term disability
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Counseling and Telehealth Options
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Paid Parental Leave
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Participation in Georgia retirement plan and an optional 403(b) retirement plan.
Location & Work Conditions:
This position requires:
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This role requires schedule flexibility; work hours vary based on campus needs and may include evenings and occasional weekends.
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Regular presence on campus and in classrooms and in required meetings around the region; Must be based in Atlanta
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This position requires routine physical activity associated with normal office environments.
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This position may require the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
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Ability to engage in school-based activities requiring standing, walking, and mobility
KIPP Atlanta Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
