Career

Regional Literacy Network Coach

Summary/Objective

A Regional Literacy Network Coach is an MDE-funded service cooperative employee who serves as a member of the Statewide Regional Literacy Network and provides support for regional implementation of the READ Act. The Regional Literacy Network coach will support \ READ Act implementation and continuous improvement process at the regional level through coaching and facilitation of professional learning.

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MDE, in partnership with the MSC, provides a unified, statewide support system through the Regional Literacy Network (RLN) that strengthens the ability and capacity of district leaders to guide, implement, and sustain effective literacy instruction to meet the READ Act goal that all students in every grade reach grade-level or above literacy proficiency.

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The person hired as a Regional Literacy Coach will be committed to addressing historical and persistent inequities in opportunities and outcomes for students of color and students with disabilities, will be responsible for strengthening educator capacity to deliver evidence-based literacy practices in Tier 1 (core) instruction through the Regional Literacy Network (RLN) Coaching Model to move all students toward literacy grade level proficiency, and will understand MnMTSS as an equity-focused framework through which these inequities can be addressed.

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Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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Core responsibilities of the RLN Coach include:

  • Collaborate with MDE and the RLN literacy lead to support standardized implementation
    at the regional level
  • Provide access to state-approved training through coordinated facilitation and coaching of approved professional development courses
  • Support districts in the development and review of their Local Literacy Plan
  • Support Universal and Dyslexia screening administration and data interpretation
  • Provide coaching and consultation to district literacy leadership, including the DLL, for planning, implementation, and evaluation of the READ Act.

Regional Literacy Network Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with MDE and the RLN Lead to coach and support regional implementation of statewide literacy initiatives, including the MN READ Act, ensuring consistent access, coherence, and alignment for districts and charter schools.
  • Support and maintain strong, collegial partnerships with MDE staff, Regional Literacy Network (RLN) members, and regional COMPASS teams to support a unified approach to literacy improvement.
  • In collaboration with the Regional Literacy Network Lead, support implementation of the READ Act legislation with a primary focus on building the capacity of districts to implement evidence-based, structured literacy practices.

    • Adhere to collective agreements for the designated professional learning approach, program resources, coaching tools, and language so that consistent approaches are disseminated to regional districts and charter schools.
    • Model and maintain effective communication and productive, positive, and professional interpersonal relationships.
  • Deliver high-quality professional learning (e.g., in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous sessions), inclusive of the READ Act Paraprofessional Structured Literacy Training (PSLT) for paraprofessionals, train-the-trainers, and volunteers providing literacy support.

Minnesota Service Cooperative (MSC) Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a Regional Literacy Network Coach on the regional COMPASS team.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to identify needs, share best practices, and ensure equitable access to literacy resources and support for all districts and charters in the region.
  • Collaborate with RLN Leads to collect and analyze regional knowledge and capacity data to identify the support and coaching needs to build capacity for implementing evidence-based structured literacy practices within the region.
  • With direction from the RLN Lead, work as a contributing member of a designated professional learning design team.
  • Follow Service Cooperative policies and procedures.

District and School Responsibilities:

  • Provide job-embedded professional learning and coaching to district literacy leads and/or coaches in evidence-based literacy practices.
  • Provide coaching and support to Local Certified Facilitators (LCF).
  • Enhance district capacity to implement evidence-based Structured Literacy practices in connection to the revised English Language Arts Standards in PK-12 settings.
  • Provide guidance on selecting and effectively using evidence-based literacy curricula, interventions, and instructional materials, ensuring alignment with the revised English Language Arts Standards.
  • Support literacy implementation coaching in PK-12 settings for implementation of evidence-based structured literacy practices in connection to the revised English Language Arts Standards.
  • Provide district-wide support in literacy data collection and analysis to ensure data is being used effectively to inform instruction to support student growth and achievement across all tiers.
  • Accurately assess the needs of assigned sites to prioritize, schedule, and provide support.
  • Support districts in the development of family engagement strategies, including communication for students not reading at grade level and home-based literacy supports.
  • Provide literacy support to districts and charter schools to implement the local literacy plan (LLP).
  • Other duties as assigned.

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Competencies

  • Understanding of pedagogy and best practices within education
  • Understanding of adult learning principles and group facilitation
  • Understanding of Minnesota’s K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts and B-5 Early Childhood Indicators of Progress
  • Knowledge of curriculum, Structured Literacy and evidence-based literacy practices, formative and summative assessments, and data-based decision-making
  • Understanding of how the MnMTSS Framework serves as the overarching infrastructure within which evidence-based literacy practices are operationalized to maximize student outcomes
  • Ability to function cooperatively and collaboratively with colleagues and educators
  • Ability to reflect on and continuously improve professional practices
  • Ability to adapt to and work with a variety of school contexts
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Creative, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively and efficiently across agencies and partnerships, individually and as a team member
  • Ability to show initiative in resolving problems
  • Ability to assume responsibility, be well organized, execute initiatives from directives and approved self-initiatives
  • Ability to build open, honest, and trustworthy relationships with people of various personality styles and behaviors – internally and externally
  • Ability to conduct oneself in a professional and customer service-based manner at all times
  • Proficient in the use of office applications and online learning platforms

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Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in education, school psychology, or a related field

  • At least 5-7 years of experience in PK-12 education; preference to those with a secondary (9-12 grades) experience
  • Successful completion (or near completion) of one of the MDE READ Act-approved
    trainings
  • Current teaching, administrative, or related field license
  • Minimum five years of teaching experience
  • Valid MN Driver’s License

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree in a related education field (school administration, curriculum and instruction, special education, etc.)
  • Certified Facilitator or Trainer in one of the MDE READ Act-approved trainings

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Environment & Physical Demands

This job operates in a hybrid office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some office organization and event set-up/tear-down are required. This would require the ability to move and lift 30 lbs., stand for extended periods, and carry items a short distance as necessary.

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Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is an 11-month position. Hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but occasional events outside the typical workday, travel to the Minnesota Department of Education, and travel within the region are expected.

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Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary (range $88,000-$92,000) and benefits, including TRA and a flexible work environment.

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Apply

Send resume, cover letter, and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Michelle Wang, Education Director, mwang@resourcecoop-mn.gov.