Literacy Coach

Description

The Literacy Coach provides leadership in advancing Children First's agency-wide literacy initiatives while coordinating enhanced literacy support to Head Start Alumni (K-3rd grade) at Emma E. Booker Elementary School, Sarasota, FL.

This position serves as the organization's literacy champion by supporting classroom teachers, families, volunteers, and school partners in implementing evidence-based literacy practices that strengthen reading readiness and early literacy outcomes from birth through third grade. This position plays a vital role in creating a seamless literacy continuum that begins in Children First classrooms, extends through elementary school, and engages families, educators, and volunteers in helping every child become a confident, successful reader.

The Literacy Coach ensures that Children First's literacy initiatives align with the organization's mission of preparing children for kindergarten success while extending literacy support for our Head Start alumni. 

Children First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

Requirements

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record – proof of auto insurance within agency limits, or access to transportation.
• Immediate/continued enrollment in the Criminal History Registry-Child Care Division.­
• Current Health Appraisal, updated every two (2) years.
• Certification in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification, required/desired.

Education/Equivalent Experience

• ­Bachelor's degree   in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Reading, Literacy, or a   related field (Master's degree preferred).
• ­Florida Teaching Certificate or Reading Endorsement preferred.
• ­Minimum of three years of teaching or literacy coaching experience.
• ­Experience working with volunteers and community partners.
• ­Experience in Head Start, elementary education, or nonprofit educational programming preferred.
• ­State mandated 45-hour coursework completion or ability to complete within (90) days of hire.

Knowledge of:

• ­Strong understanding of early childhood literacy   development.
• Knowledge of evidence-based reading instruction and the   science of reading.
• ­Ability to coach adults using supportive,   strengths-based practices.
• ­Experience training volunteers or adult learners.
• ­Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• ­Ability to analyze student literacy data and recommend   instructional improvements.
• ­Strong organizational and project management skills.
• ­Ability to build collaborative relationships with   teachers, families, volunteers, and school partners

Skill/Ability to:

• ­Speak, read and write English; bilingual in English/Spanish is helpful.
• ­Communicate, orally and in writing, with all levels of audiences.
• ­Teach and/or train staff, utilizing adult learning principles.
• ­Manage time, stress and constantly changing situations; prioritize a complex workload to meet deadlines.
• ­Utilize agency resources to appropriately answer questions and provide guidance to staff and parents.
• ­Provide compliance monitoring in a proactive and supportive manner.
• ­Solve problems and make decisions in a constantly changing regulatory environment.
• ­Translate theory and professional training into practical solutions.
• ­Deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• ­Collect, analyze and aggregate program data and make accurate reports and recommendations.
• ­Work cooperatively and collaboratively with parents, staff and community partners.
• ­Work independently without intense supervision.
• ­Set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• ­Use of computer– word processing, database, Internet and e-mail.

Physical/Mental Demands

• Lifts and/or moves up to 50 lbs.
• ­Kneels, stoops, bends, reaches and sits on floor to attend to children’s needs.
• ­Sitting, for working at keyboard and desk, (standing,) driving for home and site visits.
• ­Moves quickly to respond to children who are active and need redirection to protect their and others’ safety.
• ­Uses manual dexterity, reaches with hands and arms, stretches, and talks or hears.
• ­Responds both physically and mentally to emergency or crisis situations.

­Environmental Conditions

• Variability in temperature, environment and noise­. 
• Potential sensory response associated with toileting and/or children who are ill.
• Contact with children who are ill and/or possibly contagious.
• Contact with chemicals to clean and sanitize equipment and facility.

Please see the link below to the new care provider background screening clearinghouse education and awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025). As part of these requirements, “Every specified agency must include a clear and conspicuous link to the webpage on its website and provide the link in all job vacancy advertisements and posts by the qualified entity.”