Company Summary

At Connections Academy, we help students maximize their potential and meet the highest performance standards through a uniquely individualized learning program. Founded in 2001, we deliver a high-quality, online educational experience to students in grades K-12. Our innovative and personalized e-learning, an award-winning curriculum and Education Management System (EMS), dedicated state-certified teachers, and a supportive school community are what we pride ourselves on. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Parents of enrolled students consistently share their satisfaction with Connections Academy: 92% “would recommend the schools to other families” and 95%say the curriculum is “high quality.” As of this year, Connections Academy-supported public schools serve students in 29 states, while our private online school, Pearson Online Academy, meets the online school needs of students worldwide. Recognized for its outstanding curriculum and leadership, Connections Academy is committed to expanding quality education through technology, and helping students achieve both academic and personal success. Connections Academy is part of the global learning company, Pearson, and its Online & Blended Learning group. For more information, visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010.

School Summary

Georgia Connections Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual school for students in grades K-12 throughout Georgia. The school is authorized by the Georgia State Charter School Commission and governed by an independent Board of Directors, with a mission to maximize academic achievement for students who are seeking other academic options. The school is operated by Georgia Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy of Georgia, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by Cognia, and GACA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges; Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Position Overview:

As a Literacy Coach specializing in the Science of Reading, you will be pivotal in supporting and enhancing literacy instruction at GACA. This position is ideal for an experienced Language Arts educator focused on helping teachers implement a structured literacy (SL) approach that emphasizes highly explicit and systematic teaching of all essential literacy components. These components include foundational skills (e.g., decoding, spelling) and higher-level literacy skills (e.g., reading comprehension, written expression). Literacy Coaches will collaborate with teachers, provide targeted professional development, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our virtual literacy curriculum.

Term of Project: Based on potential student enrollment changes, this position will work until the end of each semester of the 2024-2025 school year. At that time, the school and department leadership will evaluate the status of this position and could extend it for the following enrollment period or school year if they deem it necessary. Full time positions are eligible for most employee benefits, including medical, dental and vision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Master’s Degree or Completion of a Certified Instructional Coaching Program  Appropriate Georgia State Teaching Certification in Language Arts: K- 8Literacy Coach: READING ENDORSEMENT [FLD833], ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (P-5) [FLD808] and MIDDLE GRADES (4-8) - Language Arts [FLD853] At least 1 years of teaching experience in a virtual learning environment At least 5 years experience teaching, with a record of successfully impacting student achievement and working successfully with students who have the greatest needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

 Gifted, ESOL, or Special Education certified Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues, including creating and nurturing a professional community of adult learners.  Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills, including giving and receiving constructive feedback. Demonstrated ability to use and disaggregate data to guide instructional decisions. Strong ability to leverage technology to provide data visualization for learning teams.  Demonstrated Teacher Leadership.  Strong pedagogical knowledge  Demonstrated expertise in oral and written communication.  Strong interpersonal skills. Models continual improvement, demonstrates lifelong learning, and applies new knowledge to help all students achieve.  Demonstrates professional growth, including leadership and participation in a wide range of significant professional development activities.  I have a strong command and understanding of professional learning communities and the function of learning teams.  Has a strong command and understanding of the Instructional Coaching Cycle.  Reacts to change proactively and productively and handles other tasks as assigned.

Responsibilities:

Teacher Support and Collaboration: Develop and implement a tiered coaching cycle to improve teacher performance and increase student achievement in targeted areas identified by the district improvement plan. Collaborate with Language Arts teachers to enhance instructional strategies and pedagogy around the Science of Reading/ Structured Literacy. Provide ongoing support to teachers, offering insights, resources, and guidance to improve the effectiveness ELA instruction. Supports training on the roll-out and implementation of new reading technologies/ programs. Professional Development: Conducts professional development needs assessments and helps create a plan that meets the needs of individual teachers and learning teams. Develop and conduct virtual and in-person workshops and training sessions to empower teachers with the latest instructional methods and technologies. Stay informed about current trends, research, and best practices around the Science of Reading, and share this knowledge with the teaching staff. Curriculum Development: Collaborate with learning teams to create and refine curriculum materials. Align curriculum resources with state standards, ensuring a rigorous and engaging student learning experience. Data Analysis and Assessment: Analyze student performance data and assessment results to identify trends and areas for improvement. Work with teachers to develop strategies for addressing individual student needs and enhancing overall student achievement. Technology Integration: Support teachers in effectively integrating technology tools and platforms into their virtual Language Arts instruction. Supports the implementation and rollout of technology in the district. Stay abreast of emerging technologies that can enhance student learning. Other duties as assigned.