BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Literacy Coach (Certified Teacher)
SUPERVISOR: Director of Academics
LOCATION: Central Administration
JOB SUMMARY: The Literacy Coach plays a key role in helping every student reach their full academic potential in reading and literacy. This role is designed to ensure students receive high-quality, data-driven instruction that meets their individual needs—especially through small group support and strategic interventions.
At the heart of the Literacy Instructional Coach’s work is a commitment to student success. The coach works directly with students in small groups, using proven literacy practices to help close gaps and accelerate growth. By analyzing school-wide instructional data, the coach identifies trends and works with staff to develop next steps that prioritize student learning.
To best support students, the Literacy Coach also collaborates closely with teachers and school leaders. This includes:
a) Observing classroom instruction and offering constructive feedback to improve teaching practices that impact students;
b) Supporting teachers in designing lessons and units that build a strong, year-long literacy foundation for students;
c) Analyzing student data to adjust curriculum and assessments so they are more responsive to student needs;
d) Partnering with academic staff to share effective strategies that benefit all learners.
The Literacy Coach takes a hands-on approach to enhancing literacy outcomes—modeling lessons, co-planning with teacher teams, and leading professional development—all with the goal of creating stronger, more effective instruction for students.
In addition, the coach helps ensure alignment with the Michigan 3rd Grade Reading Law and statewide reading initiatives, always keeping student reading achievement at the center of the work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor’s Degree
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Valid and Current Michigan Teaching Credential
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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Master’s in Education
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Reading Endorsement
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Reading Specialist Certificate
JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Works closely with the teachers, administrators to strategically create and implement a plan to increase student achievement in ELA.
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Plays an integral role in the efforts to horizontally and vertically align literacy curriculum and oversee ELA progress monitoring throughout the schools
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Works collaboratively with the school personnel to advise administrators and teachers on developing instructional strategies and intervention programs for struggling students.
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Collaborates with the district’s Instructional Facilitator Team to plan and deliver pre-service summer professional development for new and returning staff members aligned to high priority initiatives and outcomes in the area of literacy.
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Supports the development of high-quality/effective ELA instruction in the assigned school; observe and coach developing ELA teachers to improve instructional planning, teaching practice, and the use of data, assessment, and instructional technology.
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Works with various teams (administrators and teachers) to facilitate analysis of data provided by diagnostics, common assessments, and formative assessments.
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Works with Central Administration and school administrators to develop policies and school structures that facilitate the improvement of ELA instruction and the appropriate interventions and supports for students.
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Supports and delivers guidance on literacy using evidence-based techniques.
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Continuously monitors, tracks and analyzes student achievement data to identify needed supports and strategies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
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Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education
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Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
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Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
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Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
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Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
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Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
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Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This is a 190-day contract position
Salary based on education and experience pursuant to the Benton Harbor Area School Board policies and collective bargaining agreement for any position that falls under collective bargaining.
EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated by the Director of Academics
FUNDING SOURCE:
If this position is funded using Title dollars, federal regulations do not allow a promise of employment beyond the current year of allocated funds. If this position is funded using state program dollars, the district is not obligated to fund the position beyond the current year's allocation. This position, at any time, maybe dissolved based on funding availability and data collected from a comprehensive needs assessment.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts
Benton Harbor Area Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
