Literacy Coordinator

Literacy, or the ability to read and write, is a pretty important thing. It is something all students must possess because it makes learning so much easier. And that goes for all subjects, not just English. Your job as a Literacy Coordinator is a pretty important one too. You find ways to integrate the teaching of reading and writing into every subject that a student handles throughout their school day.

When you’re a Literacy Coordinator, you teach Teachers, so you need to begin your career as one in order to truly understand the profession from the ground up. Many Literacy Coordinators started as English Teachers, but this isn’t necessary. You just need a strong grasp of English. Your work with other Teachers centers on helping them find ways to bring more literacy into every subject, whether it’s history or chemistry. You’re an expert on the national standards of literacy, and learn as much as possible about the different literacy teaching techniques, which you pass on to Teachers. This might mean using schemes like a school-wide word of the day, or encouraging the use of one style of essay-writing throughout each class.

Whatever methods your school might use, you lead your fellow Teachers through trainings and lesson plan examples that will instruct them on new ways of teaching. Depending on the size and needs of your school, you might split your day between leading your own classes and working with Teachers to give their lesson plans new literacy components. Or you might do full-time research and concentrate on creating school-wide literacy plans and goals.