Position Description:

The Hockaday School is seeking a full-time Lower School Literacy Specialist to join our community of educators. This role is designed to support literacy development for all students in Prekindergarten through Grade 4 while also serving as an instructional coach for teachers. The Literacy Specialist will provide guidance in best practices for literacy instruction, partner with faculty to strengthen reading and writing instruction, and offer targeted student interventions to address specific gaps in learning.

The Lower School Literacy Specialist will also be a part of PK-12 Learning Support Team. The function of the Learning Support Team is to promote excellence through best practices in inclusive teaching and learning for all Hockaday students. This position reports to the Head of Lower School and is a member of the Learning Support Team overseen by the Director of Learning Support.

Essential Functions:

Instructional Coaching and Collaboration

• Partner with Lower School teachers to model, co-teach, and provide feedback on research-based literacy practices.
• Collaborate with the Lower School Collaboration and Instruction Coordinator to ensure alignment, coherence, and developmental appropriateness of literacy programming and instruction across PK-Fourth grade levels.
• Support faculty in designing differentiated strategies that foster confidence, independence, and a love of reading and writing in our students.

Student Support and Intervention

• Provide targeted literacy intervention for students to address specific needs or gaps in reading development.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and support staff to monitor student progress and adjust strategies as needed.
• Assist in using assessment data to inform instruction and identify students who may benefit from additional support.
• Provide support for students with approved learning plans through collaborative meetings with parents and  teachers as appropriate
• Attend Guidance Team and other meetings as required.

Professional Learning and Leadership

• Stay current with literacy research and evidence-based instructional practices.
• Contribute to professional development opportunities for Lower School Faculty.
• Serve as a resource to families, helping them understand and support their child’s literacy development.
• Participate as a member of the Lower School Learning Support Team.
• Regularly meet as part of the Lower School Curriculum Team.

Qualifications/Experience:

• An advanced degree preferred with a focus on literacy development, learning differences, neurodevelopment, instruction and/or learning
• Teaching experience in literacy at the lower school level preferred
• Strong organizational skills and ability to mentor and provide instructional coaching
• Background and interest in guiding a program for students in which all students experience success in learning
• Experience with various assessment tools and knowledge of learning needs and related legalities
• Proficiency with various uses of technology
• Commitment to being a supportive, respectful, and energetic colleague and mentor
• Must have the ability to work in a school environment through satisfactory completion of all legally required and School-required background and screening checks and verifications, including criminal and sex offender background checks

Training:

• Participate in all requisite School trainings prior to the start of the school and throughout the School year
• Attend required staff development and training sessions throughout the year
• Attend periodic in-service meetings
• Acknowledge receipt of the current Employee Handbook and are responsible for reviewing the contents and abiding by rules, policies and procedures stated in the Handbook or otherwise by the School
• Abide by Hockaday’s Code of Ethics and Conduct
• Commit to the ideals expressed in Hockaday’s Tenets of Faculty Excellence

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate
• Regularly uses close and distance vision, including working at a computer screen for extended periods of time; ability to observe students from various distances
• Frequently required to move around the office/classroom; works at a desk for extended periods of time
• Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30lbs. across the campus/classroom/office
• Ability to periodically support before and after-school or weekend events
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with students, fellow staff and community members

About The Hockaday School:

The Hockaday School is an independent, college preparatory school for girls of strong potential and diverse backgrounds who may be expected to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in a rapidly changing world. With an enrollment of more than 1,100 students, The Hockaday School is the nation’s largest prekindergarten through grade 12 independent girls’ school. Ranked among the country’s finest college preparatory schools, it was founded over a century ago and continues today to build on its original Four Cornerstones: Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics.

Hockaday’s faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field and students in every grade benefit from outstanding faculty and access to unmatched resources.  Families who choose Hockaday care deeply about providing their daughters with a comprehensive and rigorous education, both inside and outside the classroom. Hockaday’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the School.

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.  This job description reflects administration’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts administration’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

The Hockaday School is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy not to discriminate, and to comply with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable protected classification.