Literacy Coach on Special Assignments (COSA)

About the Team

ACCEL Schools is hiring a highly qualified Literacy Coach on Special Assignments (COSA) at Barber Preparatory Academy in Highland Park, MI. 

The Coach on Special Assignment (COSA) will support classroom teachers in developing and implementing research-based instructional practices in early literacy through on-going collaborative study and coaching in addition to providing regional literacy leadership facilitated through WRESA.

Be part of the difference at Barber Preparatory Academy! Barber Preparatory Academy is a public charter school providing PK-8th grade students with a well-rounded education including community service learning and competitive sports. Celebrating 10 years of service to the Highland Park community, the school is known for its welcoming staff and faculty. Barber Prep is part of ACCEL Schools, an established network of public charter schools serving K-12 students throughout the United States since 2014.  

About the Opportunity:

Responsibilities include to-

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with teaching staff by creating a professional and collaborative environment that includes mutual respect, teamwork, and accountability
• Attend statewide and countywide coach training and networking sessions
• Coach side-by-side with classroom teachers to support implementation of best practices in early literacy employing a core set of coaching activities, including:
  • Observing to provide low-inference feedback
  • Co-planning, goal-setting, and having reflective conversations
  • Co-teaching lessons with teachers
  • Modeling specific instructional moves
• Spend the majority of their time working directly with teachers, individually or in small groups, to align their beliefs with research-informed instructional practices and enhance their:
  • Classroom literacy environment
  • Use of research-informed literacy strategies
  • Implementation of new literacy programs and strategies
  • Use of practices aligned with state standards
• Provide job-embedded feedback for teachers as they reflect on, set goals for, practice and refine skills learned through the Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy
• Analyze formative assessment and diagnostic data to create instructional plans
• Plan and set coherent, aligned goals for teachers development based on data related to student learning
• Support teachers to collect and analyze data to inform instructional decisions
• Lead, organize, and/or facilitate professional learning communities for teachers
• Facilitate small and large group meetings to build capacity and extend literacy learning with K-3 classroom teachers
• Meet regularly with the district literacy leadership team and/or district coaching network and serve as an active member of the WRESA Coaching Network
• Engage in continuous professional learning on research-supported coaching and instructional practices to remain knowledgeable and to grow literacy instruction capacity throughout Wayne County
• Employ facilitation skills to create trust among colleagues, develop collective wisdom, and build ownership and action that supports student learning
• Engage in ongoing instruction-specific and reflective dialogue with colleagues based on observations of instruction, student work, and assessment data and make connections to research-based effective literacy practices designed to improve student learning
• Assist building administrators in identifying strengths and needs in support of an early literacy continuum
• Consistently record coaching activities using the provided COSA tools and templates to effectively communicate the positive outcomes of coaching
• Communicate progress with district-assigned COSA Coordinator and building leadership

About You:

• Master's Degree in literacy or Reading Specialist certification, Reading Recovery Training, or the equivalent amount of training focused on research-based practices in early literacy
• Possession of a valid Michigan teaching certificate.
• Bachelor's degree, advanced coursework in literacy, or related field
• Five or more years successful teaching experience
• Experience facilitating grade/team level professional learning
• Ability to work well with people and maintain productive and positive interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of current state literacy standards and MAISA GELN Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy
• In-depth knowledge of reading and writing processes and acquisition as evidenced in daily practice
• Knowledge and appropriate use of research-informed instructional practices to help all students develop literacy knowledge, skills, and abilities including concepts of print, phonemic awareness, letter-sound recognition, word reading, comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, writing, critical thinking, and motivation
• Recognition of a variety of assessment purposes and experience utilizing formative, screening, and diagnostic tools to inform instruction
• Ability to use observational data and formative assessment processes to guide professional learning and coaching
• Proficiency in technology-based instructional and organizational tools
• Willingness to invest in one’s own learning through professional reading, active participation in professional learning workshops, and attendance at local, state, and national professional conferences for the purpose of professional growth
• Ability to provide and receive feedback in order to adjust practice

About Us

“We believe that every child should be able to be anything they want in life, regardless of their birthplace and circumstances.” – Ron Packard, CEO & Founder

ACCEL Schools is a network of 80+ high-performing, public charter schools serving PK-12 students. We proudly advocate for school choice and work to address educational inequities throughout the United States. Our schools are inclusive and widely differ to reflect the unique values of the many urban, suburban, and rural communities we serve. Our brick-and-mortar, virtual, and hybrid schools specialize in closing educational gaps and offer innovative models such as career-technical education, sports training, bilingual programming, and more. We have been recognized and praised by legislators, authorizers, and researchers for providing exceptional education options to students in historically under-resourced communities.

We offer the following benefits:

Life benefits – time & peace of mind

• Paid time off
• Retirement contributions
• Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child)
• Discounted childcare at Early Learning Academies locations

Health benefits – stay well & thrive

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary short-term disability insurance
• Voluntary long-term disability insurance

Career benefits – keep growing

• Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is our policy to abide by all federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based solely on a person’s race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status, veteran status (including protected veterans), marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected status except where a reasonable, bona fide occupational qualification exists.