Writing Specialist

Job Description

FULL-TIME WRITING SPECIALIST

In a world starving for Truth, Father Gabriel Richard High School (FGR) strives to deliver academic excellence in an authentically Catholic community. If you Love God, Love Others, Love Learning, Pursue Excellence, and want to use your gifts and talents to form intentional disciples of Jesus Christ, then we invite you to apply to join our team.

Job Description:

The Writing Specialist is a mission-driven, collaborative, and innovative educator whose goal is to strengthen writing instruction and student achievement across all grade levels and academic disciplines. The Writing Specialist will work closely with faculty and the Instructional Leadership Team to develop an integrated, schoolwide approach to writing that reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence, critical thinking, and the Catholic intellectual tradition.

The Writing Specialist will support students and teachers by developing writing standards, providing instructional coaching, offering writing support labs, and fostering a culture in which effective written communication is an essential component of every student's education.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Schoolwide Writing Leadership

Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive writing program that supports student growth in all grade levels and subject areas.

Establish and maintain consistent writing standards and expectations across departments.

Collaborate with teachers to integrate writing instruction into all academic disciplines, including literature, theology, science, mathematics, history, world languages, fine arts, and electives.

Assist departments in developing writing rubrics, assessment practices, and instructional strategies aligned with schoolwide standards.

Analyze student writing data and recommend instructional improvements to enhance student outcomes.

Instructional Leadership Team Collaboration

Meet monthly with the Instructional Leadership Team to evaluate writing initiatives, review student performance data, and establish schoolwide goals.

Serve as the school's lead resource on writing instruction, assessment, and best practices.

Provide recommendations for curriculum alignment and vertical articulation of writing skills from freshman through senior year.

Student Writing Support

Plan and facilitate Writing Labs before school, during designated academic support periods, and/or after school.

Provide individualized and small group writing support for students across all content areas.

Assist students with essay development, organization, research writing, grammar, revision strategies, and college-level writing preparation.

Support students preparing for standardized assessments, college admissions essays, scholarship applications, and advanced academic writing projects.

Faculty Development and Coaching

Provide professional development opportunities focused on writing instruction and assessment.

Collaborate with teachers to design assignments that strengthen critical thinking and written communication.

Offer classroom support, modeling, coaching, and consultation regarding effective writing pedagogy.

Share current research and best practices in writing instruction with faculty members.

Program Development and Assessment

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of writing initiatives through student performance measures and stakeholder feedback.

Develop annual goals and reports related to schoolwide writing achievement.

Maintain resources and materials that support student and faculty writing development.

Required Skills & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in English, Education, Writing, Literacy, or a related field.

Demonstrated expertise in writing instruction, composition, and literacy development.

Experience teaching secondary English Language Arts, Composition, or related subjects.

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative skills.

Commitment to the mission and values of Catholic education.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Master's degree in English, Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field.

Experience developing curriculum and assessment frameworks.

Experience coaching teachers or leading professional development initiatives.

Familiarity with writing-across-the-curriculum models and instructional leadership practices.

Physical and Work Requirements:

Ability to work with students and faculty in classroom and small-group settings.

Availability to provide writing support before, during, and/or after the regular school day as determined by student needs and school schedules.

Critical Qualities:

Intentional disciple of Jesus Christ who evidences values, integrity, and ethics consistent with the Catholic faith and Fr. Gabriel Richard High School;

Professional in demeanor.

Winsome personality, with a natural ability to connect with people and move them to action;

Exceptionally high level of honesty, integrity, and dependability;

Self-starter with tons of initiative and follow through;

Sustained positive attitude; and

Highly organized and detail oriented.

To Apply:

Please email your cover letter, resume, statement of faith* and application to: fgroffice@fgrhs.org

* The statement of faith should briefly explain your faith journey, your current place of worship, your spiritual disciplines, and any experience you have in spiritual leadership roles.

FGR Mission

Father Gabriel Richard High School, a Catholic school community, exists to build up the Body of

Christ through the intellectual and spiritual formation of its students. Rooted in the Catholic

intellectual tradition, FGR cultivates in each student a sense of awe in response to the beauty of

truth. Strengthened by the Sacraments, students are equipped to live at the service of others

through academic excellence, intentional discipleship, creativity and sportsmanship.

FGR Core Values

Love God.

". . . love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

- Mk 12:30

Love Others.

"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

- Mk 12:31

Love Learning.

". . . turning [our] ear to wisdom and applying [our] heart to understanding. . ."

- Prov 2:2

Pursue Excellence.

" . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

- Phil 4:8

About the Employer

FGRHS is a comprehensive, co-educational Catholic high school located in Ann Arbor, MI, in the Diocese of Lansing.