Literacy Director

About KIPP Memphis

• KIPP Memphis is part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network of free,
• open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools committed to preparing students in
• underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP Memphis serves students from
• kindergarten through twelfth grade across multiple campuses, with a mission to help every
• student develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to pursue the path they choose.

Position Overview

• The Literacy Director is a systems-level instructional leader responsible for driving literacy and
• English language arts achievement across KIPP Memphis campuses. This role sets the vision for
• rigorous, standards-aligned reading and writing instruction; builds the instructional capacity of
• teachers and school-based leaders; and ensures that curriculum, data, and intervention systems
• work together to accelerate student literacy outcomes — including readiness for ACT, PSAT,
• and state assessments. The Literacy Director works closely with school leadership teams,
• instructional coaches, and the broader academics team to ensure every student has access to
• excellent English instruction and the support needed to close literacy gaps.

Key Responsibilities

Real-Time Coaching & Instructional Modeling

• Provide real-time coaching and instructional modeling for teachers, including live observation and feedback, co-teaching, and demonstration lessons
• Build teachers' capacity to deliver rigorous, engaging literacy instruction across reading, writing, and language standards

Curriculum Planning & Lesson Internalization

• Support lesson internalization and curriculum planning, helping teachers deeply understand text complexity, standards alignment, and instructional purpose before they teach
• Partner with teachers to anticipate student misconceptions and plan responsive, standards-aligned instruction

Student Work & Data Analysis

• Analyze student work and writing outcomes to identify trends in student understanding and inform coaching priorities
• Build protocols and systems that help teachers use student work to adjust instruction in real time

Literacy Intervention

• Develop literacy intervention strategies for students reading below grade level or struggling with foundational literacy skills
• Partner with campus teams (including special education and RTI staff) to ensure tiered literacy supports are well-matched to student needs and progress is regularly monitored

Assessment Alignment

• Align instruction to ACT, PreACT, and state assessment expectations, ensuring students are building the reading, writing, and language skills needed for college and career readiness
• Monitor assessment data across grade levels to identify gaps and adjust instructional priorities accordingly

Collaboration with School Leaders

• Collaborate with school leaders to strengthen English instructional practices network-wide, aligning campus-level priorities with network literacy goals
• Serve as a thought partner to principals and instructional leaders on literacy vision, curriculum, and staffing decisions

Additional Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate professional learning on literacy instruction, including network-wide PD, campus-based training, and summer institute sessions
• Collaborate with school leaders and the academics team to set and track annual literacy achievement goals
• Represent KIPP Memphis literacy instruction in network-wide and community-facing settings as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the academic mission of KIPP Memphis

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience, with a strong track record of student achievement in literacy/English language arts
• Experience teaching high school English/literacy required, given this role's responsibility for aligning instruction to ACT, Pre-ACT, and state assessment expectations
• Prior experience coaching or leading adults (teachers, coaches, or instructional leaders)
• Deep knowledge of K–12 literacy content, standards-aligned instructional practices, and the reading/writing skills assessed on the ACT, PreACT, and state assessments
• Experience using student work and assessment data to drive instructional decisions
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills

Preferred

• Master's degree in education, literacy, curriculum & instruction, or a related field
• Experience in a charter school, high-performing urban school, or similar mission-driven environment
• Familiarity with Tennessee academic standards and state assessments
• Experience designing and facilitating adult professional learning

Competencies

• Instructional expertise in literacy and English language arts
• Real-time coaching and instructional modeling
• Data analysis and instructional planning
• Systems thinking across multiple school sites
• Commitment to equity and closing opportunity gaps
• Collaborative, relationship-driven leadership style

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, in line with KIPP Memphis's
• compensation scale for instructional leadership roles. KIPP Memphis offers a comprehensive
• benefits package, including health/dental/vision insurance, retirement plan options, and paid time
• off.

To Apply

• Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through the KIPP Memphis careers
• page.
• KIPP Memphis is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
• color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.