Location: Curriculum & Instruct
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Academic - Administration/Mgmt
   
Title:  K-12 Writing Coordinator
Terms: BASAS
Reports to: Director of Literacy
General Description and Goals:
The K-12 Writing Coordinator will be a leading voice for K-12 Writing Instruction in the Boston Public Schools. The K-12 Writing Coordinator will assist the Director of Literacy with the following tasks as they relate to K-12 Writing instruction: the implementation of the Citywide Learning Standards, program development, professional development, instructional materials selection and management, community collaboration, and grant development and management.
This position will exist within the Department of Literacy. The K-12 Writing Coordinator reports to the Director of Literacy. One of the key goals of the Boston Public Schools Literacy Plan is that all students will develop a deep understanding of reading, writing and thinking, language and discourse needed to meet the demands of rigorous state and local performance standards. In the interest of meeting this goal, the Boston Public Schools are engaged in a citywide effort to support and ensure the effective implementation of exemplary curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices in each elementary, middle and high school.

Responsibilities:
With supervision from the Director of Literacy and with support from other members from the Department of Literacy, the K-12 Writing Coordinator will support K-12 writing instruction in the following areas:

 Standards-based Instruction:

o participate in the review, revision and implementation of a district-wide approach for K-12 writing instruction.
o monitor and assess the implementation of consistent instructional strategies for writing in schools and provide feedback to the Director of Literacy,  the Academic Superintendents, and the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

 Professional and Program Development:
o assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of an effective, year-round, citywide and school-based professional development program in Writing for K-12 teachers.
o assist in the design and delivery of courses, institutes and other professional development opportunities, in collaboration with the Offices of Professional Development, Curriculum and Instruction, English Language Learners, Special Education and local universities which support K-12 writing instruction
o collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer, the Academic Superintendents, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and the Assistant Superintendent for Professional Development in the design and delivery of K-12 writing professional development for coaches, principals and teachers.

 Resource Development and Management:

o identify, secure and manage funds for local writing initiatives (K-12), in collaboration with local institutions and organizations
o prepare annual K-12 writing program plans and budgets for the utilization of all city and external funds.

 Assessment:

o As part of the ongoing monitoring and program evaluation process, collect and analyze school and student writing data and provide feedback and prescriptions to schools, the Director of Literacy , the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and the Academic Superintendents.
o lead and coordinate all aspects (development of exemplars, expansion into other content areas, professional development, data collection, calibration work, etc.) of the Common Writing Assignments with support from the content area Program Directors, the Assistant Superintendent for Research, Assessment and Evaluation, the Office of Instructional and Information Technology, and the Director of Literacy.

 Serve as a K-12 writing liaison to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
 Perform other related duties as requested by the Director of Literacy
 Participate fully in professional development, including peer observations, professional research and reading, and inquiry sessions.
 Act as a K-12 writing advisor to the Director of Literacy, Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and the Academic Superintendents.
 Collaborate with Special Education staff and the Office of English Language learners to coordinate all K-12 writing activities with the Department of Literacy.


Qualifications

Required:

 Masters Degree in Reading and/or Educational Administration
 Masters Degree
 Teacher License
 Knowledge of the reading process and writing process
 Current knowledge of best practice research with regards to writing instruction
 Knowledge of K-12 ELA learning standards
 A minimum of five years of teaching experience
 Understanding of and experience with a Readers' and Writers' Workshop instructional approach
 Experience teaching/coaching teachers in the area of literacy with a focus on the teaching of writing
 Outstanding presentation and facilitation skills
 Interpersonal skills to share proven instructional approaches and teachers and administrators and provide advice and coaching
 Strong organizational skills and efficiency in meeting deadlines
Preferred:
 Experience working as a Lead Coach, Literacy Coach, Literacy Specialist, Literacy Coordinator, or Literacy Teacher
 Experience as a writer and teacher of writing
 Evidence of study in the area of writing
 MFA in writing or publication record