6-12 Literacy Specialist

Michigan Association of School Boards; Michigan; On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kearsley Community Schools is seeking a 6-12 Literacy Specialist to lead literacy instruction and MTSS-aligned interventions for grades 6–12. This role focuses on improving Tier 1 instruction, engagement, and access to high-quality literacy learning experiences for all students.

The Specialist will collaborate with district and ISD staff to develop IRIPs, coach teachers in structured literacy, and lead professional development aligned to district priorities and Michigan’s literacy law.

Qualifications

• Experience applying MTSS to provide targeted interventions.
• Knowledge of evidence-based structured literacy approaches.
• LETRS, Orton-Gillingham, REWARDS or equivalent training.
• Experience with diagnostic assessment tools.
• Experience leading professional learning for staff.
• Student-centered and committed to supporting at-risk learners.
• Team player with strong communication and collaboration.
• Proactive and able to lead literacy initiatives and district teams.
• Willing to build sustainable literacy systems across grades 6–12.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and systems support for grades 6–12 literacy instruction under MTSS and state law.
• Lead development and monitoring of secondary IRIPs per Michigan requirements.
• Teach daily secondary intervention instruction (at least one hour).
• Support implementation of adolescent literacy practices across content areas.
• Collaborate with teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators to improve literacy outcomes.
• Develop and vertical-align literacy curriculum, resources, pacing, and assessments.
• Plan and deliver professional learning aligned to district literacy goals.
• Coach teachers in structured literacy, differentiation, and intervention supports.
• Collaborate with special education, ELL, and intervention teams for equitable access.
• Participate in leadership committees related to MTSS and literacy implementation.
• Analyze literacy data to inform instructional decisions and planning.
• Evaluate and pilot literacy materials aligned to standards and goals.
• Support onboarding and mentoring for new secondary teachers.
• Attend and share learnings from district and state professional opportunities.
• Foster collaboration, reflection, and high expectations for all learners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

MTSS framework

Structured literacy

LETRS training

Orton-Gillingham

REWARDS training

Diagnostic assessments

Staff training

Team player

Leadership

Communication

Job description

Deadline: November 26, 2026
District/Organization: Kearsley School District
Position/Type: Teacher, full time

6-12 Literacy Specialist

Kearsley Community Schools is seeking highly qualified internal candidates to serve asa 6-12 Literacy Specialist.

The 6-12 Literacy Specialist will provide leadership and systems support to strengthen literacy instruction across grades 6-12 in alignment with Michigan’s K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, district priorities, and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. This role will support the development of coherent, vertically aligned literacy practices that improve Tier 1 instruction, increase student engagement and discourse, and ensure access to high-quality literacy learning experiences for all students. Working in collaboration with district and ISD staff, the Literacy Specialist will lead the creation of secondary IRIPs in accordance with Michigan law requirements. The Literacy Specialist will collaborate closely with teachers, instructional leaders, intervention staff, and district teams to support continuous improvement efforts focused on adolescent literacy, differentiation, and evidence-based structured literacy instructional practices.

The 6-12 Literacy Specialist will serve as a teacher leader who facilitates collaboration, student intervention, professional learning for teachers, and continuous improvement within the secondary setting. Responsibilities include leading structured literacy-focused PLC work; supporting curriculum alignment and instructional resource implementation; facilitating professional development aligned to district initiatives; coaching and supporting teachers with structured literacy practices; serving on district and building leadership committees connected to MTSS, school improvement, and structured literacy implementation in alignment with the state of Michigan’s new K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law. The Literacy Specialist will also support structured literacy onboarding and mentoring efforts for new secondary teachers while helping cultivate a culture of collaboration, reflection, and high expectations for all learners.

The Position

Under the direction of the Building Principal and the Executive Director of Curriculum, Assessment & Grants or designee, the6-12 Literacy Specialistwill have the following job requirements:

• Experience using the MTSS framework to provide appropriate and successful interventions for students.
• Knowledgeable in evidence based intervention approaches within each MTSS Academic Tier.
• LETRS certification, Orton-Gillingham + training, REWARDS training, and/or other structured literacy training.
• Experience with using diagnostic assessment tools.
• Experience with staff training or facilitating professional learning experiences.
• Student-centered. Fully committed to supporting at-risk students in Kearsley.
• Team player. Ability to communicate positively and effectively with supervisors and colleagues.
• Proactive. Demonstrated understanding of KCS MTSS framework.
• Leader. Willingness to lead and facilitate professional development for colleagues.
• Builder. Willingness to work with district teams to create sustainable systems in the school district.

The6-12 Literacy Specialistwill have the following job responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and systems support for grades 6-12 literacy instruction in alignment with Michigan’s K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, district priorities, and MTSS frameworks.
• Lead and collaborate with district and ISD staff to develop, create, implement, and monitor secondary Individual Reading Improvement Plans (IRIPs) in accordance with Michigan law requirements.
• Teach at least one hour of secondary intervention instructional programming daily.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based adolescent literacy and structured literacy practices across content areas.
• Collaborate with teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, and administrators to improve literacy outcomes for all learners through data-informed instructional practices.
• Support the development, refinement, and vertical alignment of intervention-based literacy curriculum, instructional resources, pacing, and assessment practices across grades 6-12.
• Plan, facilitate, and support professional learning opportunities aligned to district literacy initiatives, school improvement goals, and evidence-based instructional practices.
• Coach and support secondary teachers in the implementation of structured literacy strategies, differentiation, intervention supports, and accessible instructional practices.
• Collaborate with special education, English Learner, and intervention teams to ensure equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction and supports for all students.
• At the request of the building principal, serve as an advisory member of district and building leadership committees connected to MTSS, literacy implementation, curriculum, and continuous school improvement initiatives.
• Support the administration, analysis, and use of literacy assessment data to inform instructional decision-making and intervention planning.
• Assist in the evaluation, selection, piloting, and implementation of intervention-focused literacy instructional materials and resources aligned to state standards and district goals.
• Support onboarding, mentoring, and ongoing professional growth for new secondary teachers related to literacy instruction and district instructional practices.
• Attend relevant district, GISD, and state professional learning opportunities and communicate key information and updates to staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with building principals and leadership teams to support literacy-related school improvement efforts and instructional coherence across grade levels and content areas.
• Maintain appropriate program documentation, materials, inventories, and records related to literacy initiatives and implementation.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, reflection, continuous improvement, and high expectations for all learners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.