Contracted Educator Preparation Literacy Specialist

Job Description

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

Please note that pursuant to Massachusetts general law, contracted employees are not paid for the eleven scheduled holidays, do not receive any paid, vacation, personal leave benefits, or contribute to the state retirement system or social security. As a state contracted employee, you must participate in direct deposit and contribute towards the Commonwealth of Massachusetts state alternate retirement plan, ("OBRA Plan").

The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education's Center for Instructional Support is seeking a contracted or post retirement employee to support a 3-year initiative under Literacy Launch that accelerates the review and approval of literacy-specific teacher licensure programs. This is a one-year contract with two renewals (pending available funding) focused on implementing the Early Literacy Review process for 186 program reviews under Literacy Launch and ensuring that all literacy-related licensure programs are preparing teachers in culturally and linguistically sustaining, evidence-based literacy instruction as articulated in the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteriaa.

Description of Duties / Essential Functions

1. Facilitate a complex and multi-faceted review process for a caseload of educator preparation providers (EPPs) with literacy-specific licensure programs (see list of providers here), which results in high-stakes accountability recommendations. This involves:

o Providing assistance to EPPs readying for an evaluation;
o Gathering, analyzing, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative data related to review criteria to assessing program quality (including but not limited to focus group, survey, and other output data);
o Producing evidence-based evaluation reports that uphold DESE's rigorous expectations for EPPs.

2. As a part of the review process, conduct course observations to gather evidence related to the Commonwealth's Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria. This involves:

o Scheduling and facilitating pre- and, when required, post-observation meetings with instructors
o Attending the course session(s) in-person (or virtually, if that is the modality of the course itself)
o Synthesizing evidence from each observation

3. Support EPPs in meeting the Commonwealth's Early Literacy Program Approval expectations through relationship-building, program approval and progress monitoring, and coaching. This includes:

o Planning external stakeholder engagements, including but not limited to group meetings, small to mid-size meetings and convenings, and professional learning communities, including responsibility for both event logistics and content.
o Contributing expertise to development of resources and supports for higher education faculty, program supervisors, program supervisors, and teacher candidates
o Managing the development of online modules designed to support program supervisors' gain necessary content knowledge in evidence-based early literacy

4. Contribute expertise to various projects within the Center for Instructional Support and across the agency, in service of Massachusetts educators and students.

5. Contribute to other DESE programs and offerings through collaboration with other offices and teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of:
o The 2017 Massachusetts ELA Curriculum Framework
a. The Mass Literacy Initiative
o Evidence-based instructional practices, especially focused on anti-racist and culturally responsive and linguistically sustaining instructional strategies
o Language and literacy acquisition for multilingual learners, including the WIDA 2020 standards and linguistically sustaining practices
• Strong ability to comprehend, analyze, and communicate complex information.
• Track record of consistently delivering on commitments.
• Strong written communication skills, including ability to tailor communication to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent project management skills. A successful candidate will be able to manage multiple, shifting priorities with a focus on delivering high-quality work.
People who are successful working on our team demonstrate a mindset aligned with the following:

• Commitment to equity in education, and a desire to work with educator preparation faculty and leadership, and PK12 teachers and educational leaders to help all our children receive an excellent education.
• Unwavering belief in the ability of all children to learn at high levels.
• A demonstrated history of bringing anti-racist practices to your work.
• Collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• Proactive, initiative taker who identifies and takes action to improve one's individual and the team's collective work.
• Eagerness for feedback and commitment to continuous improvement.