Instructional Specialist for Elementary School Humanities (ELA)

Instructional Specialist for Elementary School Humanities (ELA)
Bronx, New York 

Seton Education Partners seeks a mission-driven, results-oriented individual to be the Instructional Specialist for Elementary School Humanities (ELA) of the Brilla Schools Network. This position is based in the Bronx, NY and supports four elementary schools.

About Seton Education Partners

Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton Education Partners is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools which have historically been the greatest equalizing factor for economically underserved children, families and communities in America for decades. 

Specifically, Seton expands opportunities for parents in underserved communities to choose an academically excellent, character rich, and—for those who seek it—vibrantly Catholic education for their children. As a national non-profit, Seton partners with (arch)dioceses and others across the country to implement innovative and sustainable new models that bridge the best of Catholic education's rich tradition with new possibilities. Seton was born of the belief that a tremendous opportunity exists to revitalize urban Catholic schools in America and strengthen the education they provide. The challenges are significant, to be sure, but with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, much can and should be done, not only to preserve this national treasure but also to build on its foundation for the benefit of thousands of children in America’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Seton has pioneered multiple innovative and high-impact solutions to the shuttering of Catholic schools in underserved communities. Seton is working to take these remarkable achievements to scale by managing a network of schools and programs that ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically excellent, character-building, and, for those who choose it, faith-nurturing education. Seton provides a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve children and families with limited educational options. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About the Brilla Schools Network

Brilla Public Charter Schools is a network of K-8th grade schools that currently serves nearly 1,600 students from Mott Haven, University Heights and Highbridge in the Bronx. The network plans to grow from a current four elementary and two middle schools to four elementary and four middle schools educating some 4,000 students in the Bronx. Core to our mission is that our students become young men and women of good character and spirit and be prepared for excellence in high school, college, and beyond. Brilla combines a classical approach to education -- an emphasis on virtue formation, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, and direct instruction of a content-rich curriculum that has stood the test of time -- with co-teaching practices and individualized online learning.* We approach the formation of our students holistically and also set high academic expectations. Ours is a joyful community that honors the dignity of each student, family member and staff. 

About El Camino Network

El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, is an optional, privately-funded Catholic after-school faith formation program that is closely partnered with Brilla charter schools. El Camino helps children, their families and their catechists to know, love and serve Christ and His Church; develop the habits, dispositions and beliefs that are indispensable to human flourishing and happiness; and live as disciples in this world and saints in the next. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Since 2013, over 260 children have been baptized through our program. 

El Camino currently serves approximately 40% of Brilla’s students for 90 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday. Children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 30 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation. This video provides a snapshot of El Camino. El Camino will grow to serve children through 8th grade, growing a grade level at a time each year.

About the Position
Reporting to the Elementary School Superintendent, the Instructional Specialist: Elementary Humanities is a full-time member of the Seton Schools Team and is responsible for leading the vision, systems, and execution of ELA, writing, and social studies instruction across Brilla’s elementary schools (grades K–4). With deep expertise in the science of reading and content-rich instruction, the Specialist ensures students build foundational literacy, vocabulary, and background knowledge in service of early reading success.

Through targeted coaching, collaborative planning, and data analysis, the Specialist equips teachers and school leaders to implement a coherent, rigorous humanities curriculum that aligns with Brilla’s classical model and high academic expectations. This role requires excellent communication, a firm grasp of early literacy best practices, and the ability to lead across multiple campuses to ensure all students are on a path to reading proficiency by third grade and deep understanding by fourth.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement the vision and instructional strategy for K–4 ELA, writing, and social studies across Brilla elementary schools
• Support early literacy development by coaching on the science of reading, foundational skills, and vocabulary instruction
• Develop and deliver professional development for teachers and leaders on best practices in reading, writing, and content-rich instruction
• Conduct walkthroughs and observations to identify instructional trends, model best practices, and provide direct feedback
• Analyze student work and data to inform reteach plans and strengthen instruction
• Collaborate with curriculum, student services, and data teams to align supports for diverse learners
• Monitor school progress toward literacy and humanities goals and support necessary interventions
• Communicate with clarity and consistency across school teams to align vision, practice, and resources

• Support and coach, as needed, school-based leaders to improve the quality of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Collaborate with the Student Services Team to ensure differentiated instructional practices are used to improve the academic outcomes of students receiving targeted services
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• You have unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s mission and values
• You take personal responsibility
• You have a strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• Expertise in the science of reading and early literacy instruction, including phonics, fluency, and comprehension
• At least 3 years of successful experience as a K–4 literacy specialist or coach, with a strong record of student achievement
• Strong knowledge of content-rich humanities curriculum and vocabulary development
• Excellent communication, organizational, and coaching skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyze student data and drive instructional change
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, literacy, or instructional leadership preferred
• Willingness and ability to travel to campuses in the Bronx

The ideal candidate will bring experience, skills, and beliefs in the following areas:

• Strong knowledge and appreciation of the Liberal Arts and a classical approach to learning*
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and the humility to receive and implement feedback
• A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively across departments and school teams
• A relentless pursuit of excellence and an eagerness to grow personally and professionally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with keen attention to detail
• Ability to travel approximately 10-20% of the time, primarily within the US

Diversity & Inclusivity
We are building an organization in which talented educators from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing people who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

*At Brilla, education in the classical tradition is understood to require the education of the whole person - mind, body and spirit - in the service of human flourishing. Cognitive development and character formation are interdependent: People flourish by living out the virtues. A time proven way of learning how to live out the virtues is to learn about, contemplate and discuss how these virtues have been expressed in literature and history and represented in time-tested works. 

Secondarily, a classical education is pedagogically consistent with modern cognitive science. Many current pedagogies are not fully consistent with what we know today about brain development. In contrast, classical pedagogy  (referred to as the Trivium) perfectly corresponds to how the brain develops. It emphasizes patterns, routines, and facts that young brains crave (Grammar stage); it leverages the brain’s orientation to asking “why” in the middle years (Logic stage); and it focuses on communication and persuasion in the high school years (Rhetoric stage).

Seton Education Partners provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.

​The base pay range for this position is $115,000 to $135,000 per year in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Pay may vary within the stated range, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.