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Literacy Coordinator & Coach

PS1 Pluralistic School, Santa Monica, CA, United States


Literacy Coordinator and Coach (K–6)
Full‑Time Faculty Position

Position Overview
The Literacy Coordinator and Coach is a full-time member of the faculty who supports literacy teaching and learning across grades K–6. The Literacy Coordinator and Coach provides coaching to teachers, partnership to students, and collaboration with families, faculty, and school leadership.

This role supports PS1’s literacy program by strengthening instructional practice, supporting a wide range of learners, and helping to steward a coherent, developmentally responsive literacy program within a progressive, pluralistic educational framework.

Core Responsibilities – Teaching & Learning at PS1

Support the design and implementation of developmentally responsive, interdisciplinary literacy instruction rooted in joy, curiosity, and productive struggle

Collaborate with teachers to integrate reading, writing, and word study meaningfully into interdisciplinary learning

Support differentiated literacy instruction in multi‑age classrooms to meet a wide range of learners and foster student agency in reading, writing, and word study

Use observation, documentation, and progress‑monitoring tools to guide instructional coaching and program decisions

Support teachers in writing clear, thoughtful narrative reports that reflect students’ literacy and social‑emotional growth

Knowing Children Deeply & Student Wellbeing

Work directly with students to support the development of foundational reading and writing skills (e.g., phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and written expression)

Provide targeted small‑group or individual literacy instruction, both within classrooms and outside of core instructional time when appropriate

Design and implement literacy interventions that are responsive, explicit, and aligned with classroom instruction

Support literacy learning in ways that honor children’s lived experiences and evolving sense of self and design literacy interventions that are responsive, explicit, and aligned with classroom instruction

Collaborate with the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Director of Student & Community Life, and the learning support team to coordinate academic and social‑emotional supports

Serve as a trusted adult who supports students’ confidence, identity, and agency as readers and writers

Coaching, Collaboration & Professional Practice

Help teachers understand and respond to students’ thinking, developmental needs, and learning identities

Conduct formal and informal classroom observations and provide reflective, actionable feedback

Co‑plan, co‑teach, and model lessons in literacy in partnership with classroom teachers

Partner with teachers to assess students’ literacy strengths and needs; match instruction with appropriate strategies and materials

Participate actively in grade‑level meetings, professional learning communities, and faculty meetings

Design and facilitate professional development aligned with PS1’s instructional priorities

Engage in ongoing reflection and professional growth

Support faculty in applying and extending recent training in Orton‑Gillingham word study and morphology, while building shared, schoolwide literacy practices

Collaborate with administrators to evaluate literacy programming and recommend refinements

Family Partnership & Community Engagement

Communicate with families in timely, respectful, and transparent ways about literacy learning and student progress

Meet with families as needed to share observations, explain instructional approaches, and suggest at‑home supports

Participate in parent conferences, Curriculum Night, admissions events, and community gatherings

Contribute literacy‑related resources for admissions, newsletters, and the school website

Promote a schoolwide culture that values reading, writing, and word study

Support enrollment and retention by helping families understand the long‑term value of PS1’s literacy approach

School Citizenship & Community Life

Participate fully in faculty orientation, professional development weeks, and school events

Share responsibility for supervision, field trips, and community activities

Collaborate respectfully with colleagues and administrators

Uphold school policies and contribute to a culture of trust, accountability, and care

Serve on committees and contribute to school‑wide initiatives aligned with PS1’s strategic plan

About PS1
PS1 Pluralistic School is a progressive elementary school with multi‑age classrooms, guided by the mission to spark curious and critical thinkers who confidently contribute to their communities and the vision Many voices build a better world. We value joyful learning, discovering one’s full self, honoring lived experiences, and being part of something bigger than ourselves.

All PS1 faculty share a commitment to developmentally responsive teaching, deep knowledge of children, collaboration, family partnership, and responsible school citizenship.

PS1 has strengthened its literacy program to be more coherent, driven by the science of reading, and joyful. We are looking for a skilled educator who can help sustain this momentum by coaching teachers, deepening instructional practice, and ensuring every child experiences literacy as rigorous and accessible.

Why Join PS1
This role offers the opportunity to join a reflective, collaborative school community committed to continuous improvement and joyful learning. The Literacy Coach will help strengthen a coherent, inclusive literacy program while contributing meaningfully to PS1’s culture, relationships, and future.

Salary Range: $90,000‑110,000 DOE

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in literacy, education, or a related field preferred

Minimum of 5 years of experience working with elementary‑aged students

Specialized training or experience in literacy intervention (e.g., Orton‑Gillingham, structured literacy, morphology, phonics‑based instruction), or willingness to pursue further certification

Strong understanding of literacy development and evidence‑based intervention strategies

Demonstrated success collaborating with teachers, administrators, families, and students

Demonstrated success coaching and collaborating with adult learners

Commitment to progressive, pluralistic education and culturally responsive practice

Ability to nurture children’s identities and contribute to communities of belonging

Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills

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