Global Ambassadors Language Academy
Literacy Coach
Organization Background
Global Ambassadors Language Academy (GALA) is a new, international, dual language immersion, K-8 school
in Cleveland, Ohio. As a nonprofit, public charter school, GALA is tuition-free and will enroll students from
within and around Cleveland. GALA’s innovative education model aligns with The Cleveland Plan and has the
support of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and the Cleveland Transformation Alliance.
GALA currently offers two target immersion languages: Mandarin and Spanish. As the only dual language
immersion school in Northeast Ohio and first Mandarin immersion school in Ohio, GALA is excited to finally
bring a nationally successful education model to the region.
As an international school, GALA will implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program
(PYP); seeking authorization in our second year of operation. IB is a Swiss-based education program
renowned for its international framework and inquiry based learning. As a dual language immersion school,
GALA will provide instruction of all core subjects (Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies) in two languages:
English and a Target Language (Mandarin or Spanish); leading to dual proficiency (reading, writing, listening,
speaking) by the third grade.
GALA’s Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) and Spanish Immersion Program (SIP) is enrolling Kindergarten
and First Grade students for the August 2016 school year – providing slots for 184 K-1 students. GALA will
grow each year to eventually serve approximately 700 PreK-8 students. In grades K-2, instruction is provided
in the Target Language for 70% of the school day and in English for 30% of the school day. In grades 3-5,
instruction is provided in the Target Language for 60% of the school day and in English for 40% of the school
day. In grades 6-8, instruction is provided in the Target Language for 50% of the school day and in English for
50% of the school day. This model will involve two teachers per grade (K-8): one to provide instruction
exclusively in the Target Language and the other to provide instruction exclusively in English.
Job Title: Literacy Coach
Location: Cleveland
Reports To: Principal
Status: Full-time, Salary, Exempt
Job Summary
The Literacy Coach will provide a range of services and support for all K-1 teachers in the development and
implementation of the school’s Reading Plan. The Literacy Coach will work directly with teachers in
classrooms by providing classroom-based literacy strategies and methods; co-creating highly effective,
research-based literacy lessons plans; engaging in one-on-one support; and facilitating teacher inquiry and
professional development. This position will strengthen students’ academic success and build students’
sense of engagement in taking responsibility for their learning. This position is year-round and requires
flexibility with work hours to meet the needs of the school including early morning, evenings, and weekends.
Responsible for delivering on the following goals:
 Create a solid instructional and assessment foundation in reading, writing and literacy development
 Provide essential delivery of research-based literacy development strategies and methods for teachers
 Development a high quality reading plan/program that aligns with Ohio’s New Learning Standards
(Common Core) and GALA’s academic program
 Create and facilitate-high level professional development curricula
 Develop a resource base of instructional materials for the two targeted languages (Mandarin & Spanish)
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Essential Job Functions:
 Develop, manage, and facilitate the delivery of a comprehensive literacy curricula;
 Create and maintain a literacy-based resource center of cutting-edge, empirical research, quality
instructional/methods books, technological resources, and professional development materials;
 Develop metrics and an evaluation tool; collect and analyze teachers’ and administrators’ data;
 In collaboration with the school instructional staff, ensure that the school library is equipped with
quality children's literature books (and eventually adolescent literature books);
 Generate literacy reports for key stakeholders (parents, teachers, administrators, etc.);
 Develop and create a real-time coaching model and protocol for supporting classroom teachers;
 Provide real-time coaching and support for teachers;
 Communicate and facilitate presentations regarding the fields of reading, writing, and language
literacy development to classroom teachers and administrators;
 Create literacy initiative programs for children and families;
 Attend national, state, and regional reading and literacy conferences;
 Act to upgrade own professional knowledge and skills through a growth mindset;
 As needed, attend GALA Board of Directors’ meetings.
Qualifications
 Bachelor’s degree preferred.
 Bilingual, Mandarin and English strongly preferred.
 Graduate Level K-12 Reading Endorsement from an accredited 4-year institution (required).
 3+ years elementary classroom experience.
 Strong background/knowledge of reading, writing, and literacy development.
 Excellent coaching, facilitating, and presentation skills.
 Familiarity with Cleveland public schools.
 Excellent writing, computer, communication, organizational, interpersonal and problem solving skills.
 Ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and
professionals of varying levels.
 Experience in an urban education setting required.
 Experience working cross-culturally and/or commitment to improving one’s own cultural competence.
 Special commitment to helping urban students to succeed required.
Apply
Qualified candidates may submit resume, cover letter, and two references and/or two letters of
recommendation to: [email protected]. In the subject line, please indicate your name and the position
you are applying for (e.g. John Smith - Literacy Coach). Only electronic submission will be accepted.
Hire date: March 2016
Start date: May/June 2016, FTE
*Preference for contract work beginning March 2016
GALA actively seeks and encourages candidates of traditionally underrepresented groups (race, color,
national origin, gender, age, disability) to apply.
Applications are accepted until the position is filled, but we strongly encourage candidates to apply as soon
as possible to be considered for the first set of interviews.
Learn more at: www.GALA-PreK8.org and www.facebook.com/GlobalAmbassadorsLanguageAcademy
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