Wissahickon Charter School is seeking a Literacy Specialist for our Fernhill campus for the 2026-27 school year. The Literacy Specialist is responsible for supporting students in 3rd-8th grades who are in need of additional literacy intervention. Literacy Specialists are also expected to communicate regularly with teachers and parents about those students' growth. The ideal candidate will have 4 or more years of experience teaching literacy in relevant grade(s), some experience coaching literacy and/or leading school-wide literacy initiatives, and knowledge of EL (WCS' current literacy curricula) or other current literacy instructional best practices. The Literacy Specialist must be committed to the belief that all students can learn and must be relentless in their efforts to address the wide range of learning styles, needs and interests of Wissahickon Charter School students.

Key Responsibilities

Direct student support (50-80%, based on needs)

• Use research-based best practices to provide small group and individualized literacy support to students in need of intervention
• Adjust small groups and individualized instruction based on progress monitoring data
• Communicate students' progress toward reading and writing goals with parents and establish and maintain relationships with families through updates and opportunities for involvement (as needed)
• Collaborate with supervisor and classroom teachers to determine which students will receive literacy support, and work to create a schedule aligned to students' needs & classroom schedules

Data monitoring (10%)

• Support the administration of literacy screeners
• Administer progress monitoring assessments to all students receiving literacy intervention
• Monitor student performance on internal assessments
• Maintain frequent communication with administrators and lead teachers regarding data on student growth in reading and writing

Staff professional development and teacher coaching (10-30%)

• Work with supervisor and teachers to support the implementation of WCS' literacy program
• Coach teachers in literacy
• Model literacy instruction for teachers in their classrooms
• Support the coordination of school-wide literacy-related activities, such as spontaneous celebrations, competitions, literacy nights and other initiatives that generate excitement about literacy in students & families

General expectations

• Consistently implement WCS' student management practices
• Exemplify WCS' CARES values in all interactions with students, families and colleagues
• Seek out and be receptive to feedback from the supervisor and peers
• Stay current on professional resources; disseminate resources to individuals and groups; help facilitate conversations re: resources.
• Participate in all professional development, team planning and data analysis meetings
• Assume other duties as assigned

How to Apply

To be considered, visit our website at http://wissahickoncharter.org/join-our-team and click on the Apply Now button.

Wissahickon Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment, or in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other programs. We are committed to hiring a diverse staff and encourage those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds to apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 4 or more years of experience teaching literacy (in the 3rd-8th grade range preferred)
• Prior experience coaching or mentoring teachers in literacy and/or leading grade band or school-wide literacy work
• Reading Specialist certification in Pennsylvania preferred
• Teaching experience in an urban setting; preference for individuals with experience teaching grades across a range of grade levels
• Knowledge of current literacy curricula and familiarity with the science of reading
• In-depth understanding of literacy teaching best practices
• Experience assessing student progress toward achievement of benchmarks
• Strong instructional and management skills, with a record of increasing student growth in literacy
• Receptiveness to feedback, positive attitude, and a desire to continuously improve
• Flexible and able to adjust instructional strategies in order to reach goals
• High level of personal organization, planning, and follow-through
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with students, families, supervisors and colleagues
• Collaborative work style
• Belief in Wissahickon Charter Schools' mission and environmental education model

About Wissahickon Charter School

Wissahickon Charter School's first campus, Fernhill, opened in 2002 and serves 480 K-8 students from across Philadelphia. Our second K-8 campus, Awbury, opened in the fall of 2014. The mission of Wissahickon Charter School (WCS) is to provide a community of learning that stimulates and builds the child's intellectual, social, and character development. Wissahickon Charter Schools are planned around three essential elements: an environmental focus that allows students to experience the curriculum, recognition of service learning projects as key to students’ success, and an emphasis on parents as partners in the learning experiences of their children.

Connections working at Wissahickon Charter School