Literacy Coach (ELA)

Vernon Township School District; Vernon Township (SD); On-site; USD 57,330 - 107,184; Full time

Job summary

The Vernon Township School District is hiring a Literacy Coach responsible for enhancing literacy instruction through collaboration with teachers. This role focuses on improving student literacy across all backgrounds, including multilingual learners and those with disabilities.

The Literacy Coach will also engage families in literacy development and offer district-wide professional development in literacy. A New Jersey Instructional Teaching Certificate is required, and candidates should have proven leadership in educational settings.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of demonstrated effectiveness as a classroom teacher of literacy.
• Required criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident status.
• Ability to maintain a positive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside teachers to strengthen literacy instruction.
• Support small group instruction to meet all learners' needs.
• Design high-quality literacy instruction based on student data.

Skills

Leadership in reading programs

Data analysis

Communication and interpersonal skills

Understanding child development

Expertise in literacy instruction

Education

Valid New Jersey Instructional Teaching Certificate

Reading Specialist or Early Literacy Specialist Certification

Job description

Date Available: 09/01/2026

REPORTS TO: SUPERVISOR OF English Language Arts (ELA), English as a Second Language (ESL), and World Languages (WL)

Qualifications

• Valid New Jersey Instructional Teaching Certificate
• Reading Specialist or Early Literacy Specialist Certification strongly recommended
• Three to five years of demonstrated effectiveness as a classroom teacher of literacy
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in the development of reading programs, evaluation of curricula and evaluation of reading development
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnosis, and research related to learning.
• Ability to maintain a positive learning environment
• Expertise in assessment, data collection, and data analysis
• Required criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Exhibit a personality that demonstrates enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community

Position Overview

The Literacy Coach functions in a non-evaluative role. Information shared in the coaching relationship remains confidential and separate from the formal evaluation process.

The Literacy Coach is expected to spend approximately 75 to 80 percent of the workday in classrooms engaged in coaching activities.

Performance Responsibilities

• Works alongside classroom teachers in their classrooms to strengthen daily literacy instruction through co-planning, modeling, co-teaching and reflective feedback.
• Provides support for small group instruction in partnership with the classroom teacher to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and meet the needs of all learners.
• Models research-based literacy practices for teachers including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and writing.
• Co-plans lessons with teachers using grade-level standards, district curriculum and student data to design high-quality literacy instruction.
• Supports teachers in analyzing student work and assessment data to inform instruction and small group support.
• Monitors student progress toward grade-level literacy standards and partners with teachers to adjust instruction based on student need.
• Designs literacy supports that affirm and meet the needs of multilingual learners, students with disabilities and students from diverse backgrounds.
• Facilitates job-embedded professional learning through grade-level meetings, planning sessions, common planning time and coaching cycles.
• Collaborates with classroom teachers, special education staff, ESL teachers and interventionists to ensure aligned literacy support for every student.
• Works in close partnership with the Supervisor of English Language Arts, ESL, WL to strongly support district literacy initiatives and contribute to curriculum development and resource selection.
• Plans and provides district-wide professional development in literacy in collaboration with the Supervisor of English Language Arts, ESL, WL.
• Engages families as literacy partners through family literacy events, communication about student reading progress and resources that support reading at home.
• Participates in school-level planning, faculty meetings, committees and district literacy initiatives.
• Maintains professional competence and continuous growth through ongoing learning in literacy research and coaching practices.
• Demonstrates effectiveness through completed coaching cycles, evidence of strengthened Tier 1 instruction, teacher growth in literacy practice and student literacy progress.
• Upholds school rules, administrative regulations and board policy.
• Performs other duties within the scope of employment and certification as assigned.

Terms of Employment

Salary and work year to be determined as mutually agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Salary Range: $57,330 - $107,184 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications, and in accordance with VTEA contract salary guide.