7-12 Literacy Specialist/English Language Arts Teacher

Description

Miriam is seeking a dynamic, student-centered Literacy Specialist/ELA Teacher to join our collaborative team. This role provides high-impact instruction to middle and high school students in the classroom setting (averaging 10 students per class) as well as targeted small-group and/or individual literacy support . The ideal candidate will administer the instructional program in compliance with school, state, and federal guidelines, providing necessary accommodations and differentiation in reading and writing to serve diverse learning profiles. 

Key Instructional Responsibilities

Employment Type

Full time, Exempt, Salary

Location: Middle/High School - Olivette, MO campus

Reports to

Principal, Miriam Middle/High School

Contract: 10-month contract 

Position Start Date: 2026-27 school year effective 8/1/2026

About Miriam High School

Since expanding our program in 2016, Miriam High School has been dedicated to serving high school students with complex learning challenges. In the coming school year, we are adding 7th and 8th grade classes to our High School campus. As a private, independent high school located in Olivette, we prepare students for college, vocational training, or the workforce through small group instruction, specialized curricula, and a highly caring faculty. 

Requirements

High School English Concepts: Lead two level-based classes for students working below anticipated grade level

Middle School ELA: Teach our 7th/8th-grade English Language Arts class

Intervention: Design and implement targeted reading and writing intervention strategies

Student Engagement: Fosters an inclusive classroom culture and utilizes effective management techniques to optimize learning. Inspires student passion for science, technology, and engineering while building critical thinking, analysis, and literacy skills.

Instructional Design: Collaborates with the administrators and other teachers to plan, evaluate, and revise course content and instruction methods tailored to diverse learning profiles

Technology Integration: Leverages technology to promote creativity, collaboration, and increased access to the curriculum

Experiential Learning: Assists in the planning and execution of our experiential learning programs as needed

Collaboration and Communication: Maintains consistent communication with parents and students to build strong collaborative relationships

Professional Participation: Actively participates in school-wide curriculum committees, faculty meetings, professional development, and community events (e.g., open houses and parent conferences)

Flexibility: Demonstrates a willingness to support extracurricular activities, chaperoning events, or coaching, as well as other projects at the school's discretion

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Secondary Education, or a related field.  

Valid Missouri Teaching Certificate in at least one of the following:

Cross-Categorical Special Education (K-12)

Middle School Education (5-9): With a content area concentration in Language Arts 

Demonstrated Expertise in Literacy: Proven experience delivering evidence-based reading and writing interventions for students with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities.

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred

A passion for working and learning with children and adolescents

Ability to work collaboratively on a team and integrate individual learning goals into daily lesson plans

Preferred Qualifications

Missouri Special Reading (K-12) Certification: Highly preferred for the reading intervention component of the role.

Master’s Degree in Special Education, Literacy, or Curriculum & Instruction.

Dual Certification: Candidates holding both Special Education and Middle/Secondary content area certifications will be prioritized.

Advanced Training in Literacy Interventions: Certification or significant experience in structured literacy programs such as Wilson Reading System, Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood Bell, or LETRS. 

Experience teaching students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other complex learning needs

Experience with co-teaching models and differentiated instruction

Ability to work on a team, incorporate individual learning goals into daily lessons

Working Conditions

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 AM- 4 PM with about twice a month after school meetings that run until 5 pm plus at least two weekend Admission Open House events

Physical Activity: The role is highly active, requiring talking, hearing, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and crawling throughout the day.

Lifting: Must frequently lift and/or move items weighing over 50 pounds.

Vision: Requires close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Additional Requirements

Satisfactory outcome of background check, reference checks and degree verification

Please note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor/manager. Miriam reserves the right to update, revise or change this description at any time.