Altavistaschool
Lower School Literacy Specialist
Altavistaschool, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Founded in San Francisco in 2010, Alta Vista School implements an inquiry-based STEAM program serving approximately 325 students across two campuses.
Alta Vista School encourages students to go beyond a strong academic foundation to pursue their passions with the help of our community. Faculty, administrators, and families believe experiences and hands-on activities are the best practice for meaningful learning. Alta Vista educators benefit from small class sizes and are intentional in their instruction. Teachers serve as guides for students as they explore, observe, predict, measure, and analyze for themselves in an inquiry-based journey of discovery and knowledge-making. Likewise, AVS teachers are serious about play. We love learning alongside our students, believing that children learn better in joyous, authentic settings. Most important to the AVS approach is a foundation rooted in the scientific method and a belief that science and technology, guided by the arts, can be leveraged to benefit all. At AVS, students learn to embrace technology and to apply principles of design-thinking as powerful tools for innovation. Technology is thoughtfully integrated into each classroom.
The Lower School employs a co-teaching model, where co-lead teachers support the classroom and students throughout the school day.
The Position
Full-time opportunity starting in August of 2025. Alta Vista Lower School is seeking a Literacy Specialist to provide leadership, intervention, collaboration, and innovation in reading and writing curriculum and instruction. This role requires an experienced, energetic, and learner-centric educator with a passion for developing and supporting the literacy program and providing differentiated and innovative learning experiences. Alta Vista Lower School is a JK-5 independent elementary school in San Francisco that offers inquiry-based, child-centered, and STEAM-based learning environment. Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential. Essential Functions:
Collaborate with the Head of the Lower School and Student Support Team to support and implement a comprehensive intervention model of push-in small group support, including foundational skills intervention and writing support. Administer literacy assessments and analyze data. Work with various teams (administrators, teachers, grade-level) to facilitate analysis of data provided by diagnostics, common assessments, and formative assessments, and design intervention plans accordingly. Hold an in-depth knowledge of literacy curricula, standards, assessment tools, and best teaching practices to support, implement, and evaluate the literacy program. Coach literacy classroom teachers in developing high-quality, innovative, and flexible curriculum that aligns with the mission of Alta Vista School and meets the students' individual needs. Lead educators in training and occasional school-wide presentations on topics related to literacy. Serve as a professional resource for other educators and parents. Possess a passion for literacy and can spark student motivation and a love of learning. Work cooperatively and collegially with the school’s administration, other faculty and staff, and the parents to create and maintain an exemplary school environment. Oversee the upkeep and organization of the school library. Cultivate collaboration, transparency, inclusion, curiosity, fun, innovation, and excellence in a dynamic learning community. Prepare for and actively participate in all school activities, faculty meetings, and conferences, including those with parents, during and after school hours as necessary. Willingness to examine and reflect on one's own skills to continuously improve one’s practice. Willingness to carry out responsibilities remotely as required. Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree, Masters preferred. Specifically, a Reading Specialist Credential or Reading Certificate is preferred. Minimum of three years of teaching experience at elementary or middle school. A deep understanding of theories of teaching literacy, including the diagnostic teaching of reading, reading intervention, adolescent literacy, the Science of Reading, and English Language Development. Experience with administering and interpreting results from various reading assessments, such as the Words Their Way Literacy Program and DIBELS, or others, as well as using the results to determine instructional implications. Proficiency with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and other digital tools to support organization, collaboration, and instructional resource creation. Skills/Abilities and Attributes
Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential. Team-oriented, with a strong ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment to multiple deadlines. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently. Excellent time management with an ability to balance multiple projects and timelines. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adapting to evolving priorities in a dynamic school environment. Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to express ideas clearly and actively listen to others. Positive attitude and strong work ethic. Physical Demands/Work Environment
Regularly lifting or carrying 1-20 lbs. Regular pushing, pulling, bending, stooping and kneeling. Regularly climbing stairs. Regularly sitting or standing 4-8 hours. Requires physical presence, work to be performed on campus. $76,000 - $112,000, based on experience. If interested, please send a resume and cover letter detailing your educational philosophy and why you believe you would be a good fit at Alta Vista to
lshiring.committee@altavistaschool.org . NOTICE: This position is not limited to those duties in the job description. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or deleted to meet the needs of Alta Vista School. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Alta Vista School values a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, AVS does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status legally protected by Federal, State, or Local law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Full-time opportunity starting in August of 2025. Alta Vista Lower School is seeking a Literacy Specialist to provide leadership, intervention, collaboration, and innovation in reading and writing curriculum and instruction. This role requires an experienced, energetic, and learner-centric educator with a passion for developing and supporting the literacy program and providing differentiated and innovative learning experiences. Alta Vista Lower School is a JK-5 independent elementary school in San Francisco that offers inquiry-based, child-centered, and STEAM-based learning environment. Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential. Essential Functions:
Collaborate with the Head of the Lower School and Student Support Team to support and implement a comprehensive intervention model of push-in small group support, including foundational skills intervention and writing support. Administer literacy assessments and analyze data. Work with various teams (administrators, teachers, grade-level) to facilitate analysis of data provided by diagnostics, common assessments, and formative assessments, and design intervention plans accordingly. Hold an in-depth knowledge of literacy curricula, standards, assessment tools, and best teaching practices to support, implement, and evaluate the literacy program. Coach literacy classroom teachers in developing high-quality, innovative, and flexible curriculum that aligns with the mission of Alta Vista School and meets the students' individual needs. Lead educators in training and occasional school-wide presentations on topics related to literacy. Serve as a professional resource for other educators and parents. Possess a passion for literacy and can spark student motivation and a love of learning. Work cooperatively and collegially with the school’s administration, other faculty and staff, and the parents to create and maintain an exemplary school environment. Oversee the upkeep and organization of the school library. Cultivate collaboration, transparency, inclusion, curiosity, fun, innovation, and excellence in a dynamic learning community. Prepare for and actively participate in all school activities, faculty meetings, and conferences, including those with parents, during and after school hours as necessary. Willingness to examine and reflect on one's own skills to continuously improve one’s practice. Willingness to carry out responsibilities remotely as required. Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree, Masters preferred. Specifically, a Reading Specialist Credential or Reading Certificate is preferred. Minimum of three years of teaching experience at elementary or middle school. A deep understanding of theories of teaching literacy, including the diagnostic teaching of reading, reading intervention, adolescent literacy, the Science of Reading, and English Language Development. Experience with administering and interpreting results from various reading assessments, such as the Words Their Way Literacy Program and DIBELS, or others, as well as using the results to determine instructional implications. Proficiency with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and other digital tools to support organization, collaboration, and instructional resource creation. Skills/Abilities and Attributes
Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential. Team-oriented, with a strong ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment to multiple deadlines. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently. Excellent time management with an ability to balance multiple projects and timelines. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adapting to evolving priorities in a dynamic school environment. Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to express ideas clearly and actively listen to others. Positive attitude and strong work ethic. Physical Demands/Work Environment
Regularly lifting or carrying 1-20 lbs. Regular pushing, pulling, bending, stooping and kneeling. Regularly climbing stairs. Regularly sitting or standing 4-8 hours. Requires physical presence, work to be performed on campus. $76,000 - $112,000, based on experience. If interested, please send a resume and cover letter detailing your educational philosophy and why you believe you would be a good fit at Alta Vista to
lshiring.committee@altavistaschool.org . NOTICE: This position is not limited to those duties in the job description. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or deleted to meet the needs of Alta Vista School. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Alta Vista School values a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, AVS does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status legally protected by Federal, State, or Local law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr