Literacy Specialist

Dubai Schools Al Barsha Dubai, UAE Posted 3 days ago Expires in 2 months Ref: JB1100012974

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. At Taaleem, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks including receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.

Job Purpose:

The Taaleem Literacy Across the Curriculum Coordinator embodies, radiates and transmits the unique Taaleem ethos of excellence, innovation, creativity and compassion. Through inspirational leadership and teaching, with a deep understanding of students' individual learning needs, the Taaleem Literacy Across the Curriculum Coordinator strives to ensure that our consistent approaches to literacy instruction, in both Arabic and English, lay firm foundations for academic and professional success, personal and spiritual fulfilment and a love of lifelong learning in each and every one of our students.

Key Relationships (Internal and External)

Students, teaching staff across phases/subjects, with a particular emphasis on working collaboratively with the HoD English and Arabic and ELL lead, parents and the school Principal, Heads of School, Assistant Principal for KG and Associate Principal (Curriculum), Taaleem Teaching School, The Knowledge Fund, KHDA and Emirates Literature Foundation. (ELF)

Key AccountabilitiesLeadership:

• Serves as a coordinator and facilitator of literacy across the curriculum instructional content, with high-level expertise and ability to adapt according to the school's needs.
• Demonstrates expertise, trains others, and oversees the effective development of beginning reading skills, phonics, and phonological awareness across the school to close attainment gaps.
• Drives consistency and effectiveness of core literacy instructional strategies across both Arabic and English medium subjects.
• Conducts needs assessments and analyzes student and school data at key points in the year, and over time, to determine literacy areas requiring emphasis and support.
• Provides consultative expertise to leaders and teachers, reflecting the full range of evidenced student needs.
• Works collaboratively with representatives from partner organizations to oversee and facilitate the implementation and management of literacy across the curriculum initiatives, including the Reading for Pleasure initiative.
• Works collaboratively with Literacy Across the Curriculum Coordinators across Dubai Schools to improve the quality and consistency of literacy instruction.
• Promotes a love of reading culture across the school through leadership of different initiatives.
• Assists the Principal, Elementary Principal and Middle/High School Principal, and Associate Principal (Curriculum) with literacy policy development and overall effectiveness of the program.
• Leads on the development of parent workshop opportunities which engage parents to be active partners in the development of core literacy skills in Arabic and English.
• Oversees the functioning of the library and supports the procurement of books and library resources.

Teaching:

• Uses allocated student contact time to model best practice in literacy instruction, support staff professional development and pilot new approaches and resources.
• Leads, coordinates and delivers targeted interventions which result in accelerated student progress and contribute to the closing of the attainment gap.
• Leads, coordinates and delivers enrichment activities for students who are above proficiency in Arabic and English Language in partnership with the Lead for Gifted & Talented/More Able.

Continuing Professional Development:

• Keeps under review colleagues' methods of literacy instruction and program of work.
• Leads on the development and delivery of professional development events and resources that reflect the latest research, standards, and policy in literacy instruction.
• Conducts and stays abreast of subject area research to remain current with the latest developments in literacy and works collaboratively in sharing these resources.
• Participates in arrangements for her/his further training and professional development as a teacher.
• Leads and manages literacy across the curriculum resource development.
• Embeds UAE heritage and culture within the literacy curriculum.
• Oversees the vertical alignment of the English and Arabic curricular approaches to ensure consistency of the student experience.

As a broad guideline, the time allocation to fulfil the varied responsibilities of the role will include:

• 50% monitoring, mentoring, and coaching staff across all subjects on literacy across the curriculum instructional strategies.
• 30% direct student contact time through teaching and the delivery of interventions, as outlined above.
• 10% focused on parental engagement and professional development.
• 10% partnership working and development.

Teachers make the education of their students their first concern and are accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct. Teachers act with honesty and integrity; have strong subject knowledge, keep their knowledge and skills as teachers up-to-date and are self-critical; forge positive professional relationships; and work with parents and other stakeholders in the best interests of their students.

Skills

Person Specification:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, English Language and Literature, Linguistics or similar relevant degree and a recognized Teaching Qualification/License.
• Additional qualifications in literacy foundational skills and effective interventions for older students will be advantageous.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years successful teaching experience working in recognized school / international school environments preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience and proven track record of delivering impact in a leadership or management role.
• Outstanding practitioner in the classroom.
• Previous successful teaching/lecturing experience.
• Experience of working with DSIB, OFSTED or similar school inspection authority.
• Experience of working in an international school setting preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of contemporary literacy educational research, especially in the science of reading, guided reading, and writing workshop approaches.
• Knowledge and understanding of current educational developments in the UAE preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, including high standards of professionalism in written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Organized, flexible, and able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to engage and motivate people to enable them to perform to a high standard.

Attributes:

• Knowledgeable, Reflective, Inquirer, Thinker.
• Empathizes with and believes in the values of the school.
• A student of learning and leading.
• Solutions-focused.
• Believes in the potential of all students.
• Committed to professional learning.
• A strategic thinker who can shape and deliver change.
• Caring and Open-minded.
• Passionate about international education and working with young people.
• Sees leadership as a service to others.
• Internationally minded and culturally sensitive.
• Sense of humor and humility.
• Motivated by challenge.
• Resourceful.
• Does what it takes to get things done.
• Communicator and Risk-taker.
• Composed under pressure.
• Innovative and creative.
• Principled and Balanced.
• Acts with integrity.
• Resilient when faced with setbacks.
• Flexible when conditions change.
• Comfortable with complexity, change and uncertainty.
• Always prioritizes the needs of the school.

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