Career Center

Position: Lower School Literacy Specialist
Reports to: Lower School Division Head
FLSA: Exempt, full-time
Salary Range: $62,000 - $85,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience

Convent of the Sacred Heart seeks a Kindergarten - Grade 4 Literacy Specialist to begin in August 2023.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Literacy and/or Elementary Education
• Experience teaching reading and writing for five or more years to elementary school students with various learning profiles
• Solid understanding of child development, including cognitive, social, and emotional development
• Passion for working with elementary school students
• Knowledge of, appreciation for, and demonstrated commitment to anti-racist, anti-bias education, multicultural teaching, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Experience teaching guided reading, phonics, and word study
• Extensive knowledge of reading programs such as Wilson Fundations, Fountas & Pinnell, Orton-Gillingham, PAF, Whole Phonics, and Recipe for Reading
• Experience in teaching with technology, especially Literably, Google, Zoom, and Smartboard
• Ability to conduct grade-level team meetings to discuss research, programs, supports for students, and best practices, as well as to share information at LS Faculty & Staff meetings as needed
• Extremely detail-oriented
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances/be flexible

Responsibilities:

• Maintain congruence between the school and the mission as articulated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart schools
• Establish a warm, positive, and productive learning environment in which each student feels a sense of belonging
• Commit to addressing social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-racist, anti-bias education in the curriculum through lessons, actions, and discussions
• Provide educational literacy support for students in Grades K-4 in small reading groups and through one-to-one instruction
• Develop engaging reading and writing lessons that provide direct remediation
• Select and utilize texts, posters, resources, and language that represent a wide range of identities in daily lessons
• Support homeroom teachers in monitoring student progress, establishing individualized education plans for students, and conducting assessments to determine the effectiveness of interventions
• Determine when students need individual support and, at those times, schedule time to see students before, during, or after school
• Plan and lead monthly meetings with grade-level teams to provide training, support, and relevant research
• Collaborate with grade-level teams to implement changes to our reading and writing programs
• Meet weekly with the Support Services Team to provide ongoing support and strategies for students with learning differences based on in-house data as well as data from evaluations
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians, homeroom teachers, and outside support providers (tutors, therapists, etc.) through phone calls, emails, and meetings to provide ongoing support and propose strategies based on the individual needs of each student
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences and write progress reports twice each year
• Maintain accurate, detailed records of student progress, parent communication, and lessons
• Use technology as needed for both lessons and communication, especially Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slideshows, etc.)
• Follow the professional code and policies of the school, including maintaining confidentiality and being attentive to detail
• Perform assigned, ongoing scheduled responsibilities with care (roof duty, lunch duty, etc.)
• Attend and participate actively in division and whole school faculty meetings and events

It is the policy of Sacred Heart to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. This means that all employees and applicants will be treated on an equal basis without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, military status, Vietnam or other veteran status, sexual orientation, domestic partnership status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, unemployment status or any other status protected by law. In addition to the protected classifications included in our EEO policy, the School also prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on being a certified medical marijuana patient, arrest or conviction, or domestic violence victim status in accordance with state law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, training, faculty development, promotion, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, employee facilities, termination, and retirement. Any employee who engages in conduct that violates this policy is subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

About Convent of the Sacred Heart

The Convent of the Sacred Heart is New York City’s oldest independent school for girls, established in 1881 by the Society of the Sacred Heart. Part of a worldwide network of over 150 schools committed to the mission of Sacred Heart education, the school is housed in two landmark buildings on 91st Street and Fifth Avenue. Since its inception, Convent of the Sacred Heart has been governed by a strong commitment to the education of the whole child, addressing her intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional development. Convent of the Sacred Heart is an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer, Sacred Heart seeks to hire outstanding and diverse faculty who work together harmoniously toward the common mission of the school.

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