Job Description
JOB Comprehensive Literacy State Development Early Literacy Specialist Regional Professional Development CenterEconomic and Workforce DevelopmentFull Time/TermThe Southeast Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) has been housed on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University since 1996. The Center serves approximately 84 school districts in the southeast region. RPDC personnel provide training programs for the teachers and administrators throughout the area on a continuous basis. Primary Responsibilities: Participate in all grant activities with Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) selected schools and programsParticipate in collaborative planning meetings with other early childhood specialists and literacy coaches within and across regionsAssist Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) CLSD team with the collection of data for statewide analysis and the creation of supporting resourcesAttend and actively participate in statewide monthly resource, support, and training meetings, as designated by the DESE master calendar and direction from DESE CLSD teamReport data and grant activities each month or more frequently as required by DESE CLSD teamSupport CLSD schools and programs with technical assistance and grant activitiesAssist and support CLSD early childhood selected schools and programs in improving literacy outcomes of studentsAssist early childhood schools and programs in implementing effective, evidenced-based instructional practices and strategiesEstablish consistent communication with designated CLSD early childhood selected school or programAttend regional and national conferences as requested by DESEProvide training activities that focus on support for Early Childhood schools and programs participating in the CLSD grantProvide job-embedded, continuous professional development to CLSD early childhood selected schools and programs through coaching cycles aligned with evidence based early literacy instructionSupport classroom teachers on classroom implementation of the Early Childhood Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (EC LETRS) professional development course and/or instruction aligned with the science of readingProvide professional development to CLSD selected schools and programs that align with CLSD Early Childhood programmingCollaborate with CLSD early childhood selected schools and programs to host family literacy learning events - provide learning opportunities and build reciprocal literacy partnerships with familiesCommunicate and support specific school-to-home early language and literacy learning connectionsCollaborate and support, as a liaison, to establish sustainable family and community literacy partnerships for student early language and literacy learning experiencesCollaborate with other initiatives and interagency work of the RPDCs and DESE to provide support to CLSD selected schools and programs meeting/conference activities Travel within the RPDC region as needed, and travel for attendance at DESE required meetings/conferences EXAMPLE OF DUTIES Bachelors’ degree in education or closely related field with concentration, specialization and/or emphasis in literacy; master’s degree is a plusThree (3) years of classroom experience in early childhood classroom or setting (Pre-Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten)Early Childhood teaching certificate (Birth/Pre-Kindergarten – Third Grade)Early Childhood Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (EC LETRS) TrainingUnderstanding of significant research in the field of early childhood and early literacy education (emergent literacy), including the relationship between family and community literacies, and the ability to apply the findings to the improvement of classroom instructionGrowth mindset and interest in finding supports to motivate greater learning and early literacy partnerships with students, teachers and familiesKnowledge of the science of reading and experience in evidence-based instruction with birth - 5-year-olds (phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, oral language development, gross and fine motor skill development)Understanding and appreciation of various needs through urban, rural and suburban settings of children and familiesAbility to express complex ideas to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely both orally and in writingAbility to manage diverse activities and meet established deadlinesAbility to establish and maintain rapport and effective working relationships with department staff, local school local education agency (LEA) personnel, families, and community programsAbility to analyze complex preschool and prekindergarten educational problems and develop feasible solutionsAbility and means to travel in the state of Missouri on a regular basis SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION About Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO): Founded in 1873 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Sout