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Director of Literacy

New York, New York, United States

Reports to: Chief Schools Officer
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm + occasional additional responsibilities outlined by the CSO
Compensation: $106,000-$120,000 (We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other. We take into consideration qualifications, credentials, years of experience, and one's impact on behalf of the organization - internal and external equity is taken seriously. East Harlem Scholars Academies also offers a comprehensive benefits package.)
FLSA Status: Exempt 

 

Who We Are

Founded in 1958 as a children’s reading group, East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) has grown into a dynamic multi-site after-school program for students in traditional public schools and a network of public charter schools dedicated to dramatically increasing the college graduation rate in East Harlem. We believe that all young people deserve access to an excellent education without having to leave their community. East Harlem is a vibrant neighborhood that has long faced systemic educational inequities, and we work in close partnership with students and families to help them unlock their limitless potential. Our schools and programs provide rigorous, engaging academics combined with holistic support, ensuring that students develop the critical thinking skills, confidence, and knowledge necessary to excel in college and beyond.

At EHTP, we strive to be an agent of change in the fight for racial equity, recognizing that education is a powerful tool for transformation. Through a rigorous, student-centered curriculum, we prepare our scholars to challenge the status quo, think critically, and become leaders who shape a more just world. Our commitment to anti-racism is woven into every aspect of our work—from our instructional practices and professional development to our organizational policies and community engagement. As educators and staff, we continually examine our own biases and identities, ensuring that our classrooms and programs are spaces of inclusion, empowerment, and academic excellence. Read our racial equity statement here.

 

The Opportunity

The Director of 3-8 Literacy Achievement is an integral part of the Teaching & Learning Team at East Harlem Scholars Academies, working with principals, assistant principals, and teachers to craft and drive the vision behind an exemplary literacy program. This role ensures that educators develop the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to implement rigorous, research-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. Through professional development, curricular refinement, coaching, and data analysis, the Director strengthens literacy achievement and fosters a culture of literacy excellence for all East Harlem Scholars.

 

What You’ll Accomplish

Manage Program Vision, Implementation & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Act as a thought partner to network leadership to synthesize the vision for literacy instruction and contribute to programmatic recommendations for school leaders (e.g., instruction, assessment, intervention, tutoring, etc.).
  • Facilitate cross-school collaboration and best practice sharing among literacy educators and leaders.
  • Ensure alignment with New York State Next Generation Learning Standards (NYSNGLS) and Science of Reading research.
  • Support with building strong literacy practices across content including humanities and STEM classes.

Coordinate Core Literacy Program Systems

  • Work with school leaders and teachers to ensure consistency in literacy instruction, including assessment practices, data collection, and intervention strategies.
  • Oversee the implementation of a structured literacy approach and ensure fidelity in instructional execution.

Facilitate Professional Development

  • Design and lead professional development sessions focused on evidence-based literacy practices, curriculum implementation, and teacher growth.
  • Develop training modules that enhance teachers’ ability to deliver high-quality, structured literacy instruction.

Manage Curriculum Implementation

  • Guide the selection, adaptation, and implementation of literacy curricula across multiple contents.
  • Develop and refine instructional materials aligned to NYSNGLS and research-based practices, especially for foundational literacy skills, reading comprehension, and writing.
  • Work with network leadership and consultants to ensure quality unit plans, assessments, and lesson plans are high quality for teachers
  • Ensure the integration of culturally responsive teaching materials to reflect and affirm students' identities and experiences.
  • Build high quality weekly quizzes, interim assessments, and other assessments that support curriculum implementation

Coaching and Observations

  • Conduct weekly observations with leaders and of  to improve implementation of curriculum, gather information on best practices, and pilot new projects
  • Develop instructional eye of assistant principals and principals through focused co-observations and feedback

Teacher Coaching

  • Conduct consistent classroom observations and provide actionable feedback to improve literacy instruction and student outcomes.
  • Support teachers in differentiating literacy instruction for diverse learners, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

Analyze Data

  • Deeply analyze student achievement data (student work samples, weekly quizzes, interim assessments and state tests) to determine how to better develop materials and provide targeted, high quality teacher training.
  • Guide schools in using data to inform instruction, intervention, and enrichment opportunities.
  • Support school leaders in setting and monitoring literacy achievement goals.

Supporting Schools

  • As need, support schools to ensure continuity of instruction for STEM classes in K-8
  • Assist in the development and execution of intervention programs to close literacy gaps.

 

What Qualifies You

  • Education: A Master’s Degree in Education, Math, or Science
  • At least 5 years of teaching experience in a charter school or urban school setting.
  • At least 3 years of school leadership experience, including coaching teachers, leading instruction, and managing school operations.
  • Deep knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment best practices across K-12 grade levels.
  • Experience in data-driven instruction, using assessment and student performance data to inform decision-making.
  • Expertise in differentiation, co-teaching models, and ELL strategies to support diverse learners.
  • A strong believer in anti-racism education, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma-informed practices.
  • Experience implementing restorative justice and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives
  • Proven ability to develop and inspire teachers, providing coaching, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
  • A strategic thinker who can manage network-wide initiatives, schedules, and resources effectively.
  • Ability to navigate challenges with flexibility, resilience, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
  • Demonstrates timeliness, accountability, and ethical leadership in all responsibilities.
  • Maintains a growth mindset, embracing feedback and continuous improvement.

 

Who You Are & What You Do

We seek directors who:

  • Understand strategies for having students engage in strong reading, writing, language, listening skills.
  • Understands the science of reading and writing and how to support teachers in integrating it in their classrooms. 
  • Has a vision for how literacy lives in humanities and STEM classrooms.
  • Understand literacy assessment strategies to support students with on-demand tasks and process tasks.
  • Uses the Next Generation ELA Standards to push the rigor of instruction in the classroom
  • Create problems sets, assignments, and assessments aligned to the NYS NGES to ensure students are doing work at the appropriate rigor level
  • Work with network leadership to build the vision of a program for literacy for 3-8 that empowers students and provides clarity to leaders and teachers.
  • Willing to work closely with our early childhood director to support continuity in the program.

We seek directors that:

  • Are reflective and open to feedback and willing to learn from mistakes quickly.
  • Are emotionally aware and intelligent and do the work to grow their emotional awareness and intelligence. 
  • Have strong personal organization and project management skills to ensure that all stakeholders can meet their potential.
  • Are committed to anti-racism and seek outs and leans into feedback related to commitment to anti-racism and proactively build their mindsets.
  • Set high expectations for themselves and the people they work with.
  • Have strong results in their current or past role and are “on fire” about closing gaps between excellence and the current reality if things are off-track.
  • Can engage in conversations with stakeholders that creates clarity, builds consensus, and ultimately leads change.
  • Can build productive relationships with stakeholders around lines of difference.
  • Monitors performance of results, ensures that things are trending in the right direction and uses those results to align coaching and development.
  • Leads effective team meetings with a variety of stakeholders that lead to transformational change.
  • Have a “whatever it takes” attitude and is a strong team player.
  • Has the willingness to deal with the ambiguity of a founding role and willingness to take full responsibility and ownership


Thank you in advance for applying to East Harlem Tutorial Program.

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