Elementary Literacy Coordinator

Position Overview

The Elementary Literacy Coordinator, also referred to as the Reading Wizard / Literacy Luminary, is a district-level instructional leader focused on strengthening literacy and phonics instruction for elementary grades. Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer, this role supports curriculum alignment, teacher coaching, lesson development, assessment practices, and data use for grades K-4. The coordinator serves faculty, staff, and outside stakeholders as a key subject matter expert in literacy and phonics.

Qualifications

• A valid New York State Professional certification is required in one of the following areas: Early Childhood Education (Birth-2), Childhood Education (1-6), Literacy (Birth-2), Literacy (1-6), Mathematics (5-6 Extension), or School Building Leader.
• At least five years of successful experience in education is required.
• A valid New York State Professional School District Leader certification is required, or the candidate must currently be working toward Educational Leadership Certification.

Employment Terms

• This is an 11-month contract position.
• Starting salary is negotiable.
• Annual raise is negotiable.
• Benefits include STRS, comprehensive health coverage, and a 403(b) plan.

Evaluation

Performance will be reviewed each year by the Chief Academic Officer, Chief Talent Officer, and the Executive Director (CEO).

Role Summary

This position provides leadership for elementary literacy work, with a strong emphasis on instructional quality, phonics, curriculum planning, and student achievement. The coordinator helps ensure that instructional materials and practices reflect district priorities and New York State learning expectations. The role also includes mentoring teachers, supporting assessments, and using student data to guide decisions.

Primary Areas of Focus

• Instructional coaching
• Systems and program management
• Instructional leadership
• Lesson planning and curriculum development
• Assessment and data analysis
• Literacy and phonics curriculum oversight

Supervisory Scope

• Direct supervision of support teachers, interns, and teacher aides.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Management

• Oversee and track all district-wide web-based tools and software used for K-4 instruction.
• Serve as the primary lead for collecting and monitoring K-4 student data.
• Assist the CEO and CAO in reviewing K-4 performance trends from assessment information.
• Manage systems for collecting, analyzing, and reporting student and instructional data.
• Support the maintenance of software licenses for K-4 instructional resources.

Instructional Coaching

• Promote the district’s instructional goals, classroom expectations, and teaching standards through coaching and mentoring.
• Work with the CAO and principals to strengthen classroom management, student engagement, and instructional practice.
• Demonstrate effective teaching strategies for both new and experienced educators.
• Help teachers apply strong instructional methods that improve learning outcomes.

Instructional Leadership

• Support consistently strong teaching across elementary schools.
• Travel to Buffalo and Rochester schools when required.
• Participate in academic team meetings and contribute meaningfully to planning discussions.
• Assist with designing and delivering professional development.
• Provide onboarding support and ongoing guidance for curriculum and instruction.

Lesson Planning and Development

• Facilitate weekly planning sessions for grades K-4.
• Review lesson plans to ensure alignment with curriculum goals and instructional quality standards.
• Support teachers in understanding, internalizing, and developing lesson content.
• Contribute to other K-4 curriculum planning work as needed.

Assessments and Data

• Support district-wide diagnostic, benchmark, and performance testing.
• Help principals lead meetings centered on assessment data.
• Guide teachers in analyzing results and creating action plans.
• Work with teams on administering NYS Grades 3-4 Math and ELA assessments.

Literacy and Phonics Curriculum Management

• Support literacy, literacy center, and phonics instruction in K-4 classrooms.
• Assist the CAO in developing and updating literacy and phonics curriculum frameworks and scope and sequence documents.
• Help teachers plan phonics instruction, literacy center materials, and related learning activities.
• Maintain and revise district-wide literacy, phonics, and reading assessments.

Additional Duties

• Carry out other responsibilities assigned by the CEO or CAO.

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Planning and organizational ability
• Clear communication
• Conflict resolution
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ethical and professional conduct

Mission Alignment

• Improves the quality of literacy instruction and helps build teacher capacity.
• Keeps curriculum aligned with strategic goals and New York State learning guidelines.
• Supports student engagement and academic growth.

Additional Information

Job attachment available. Itinerant location: Rochester, NY. Start date: 08/17/2026. Contact person: Justin Braun, Chief Academic Officer. Phone: 7168542490. Email: braun@buffsci.org.