Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Language and Literacy & MLL
at Rocketship
🏢 About Rocketship
Rocketship Public Schools is a nonprofit network of public charter schools dedicated to eliminating the achievement gap in low-income communities by providing high-quality, personalized education. With a focus on innovation and equity, Rocketship operates schools that empower students to succeed academically and become lifelong learners. Working here means joining a mission-driven team committed to transforming education for underserved students.
About This Role
The Director of Language and Literacy & MLL is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and implementing Rocketship's literacy strategy and multilingual learner supports across the network. This position involves collaborating with school and network leaders to ensure equitable access to grade-level content and drive student achievement in literacy. The role is remote but requires up to 25% travel to support schools and teams directly.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve meeting with the Senior Director of Language and Literacy to align on priorities, reviewing literacy data from schools to identify trends, and collaborating with regional leaders on implementing a new MLL support strategy. You might also facilitate a virtual professional development session for teachers or travel to a school to observe instruction and provide feedback. The role balances strategic planning, cross-team collaboration, and hands-on support to ensure schools have the resources and guidance they need.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Rocketship Is Looking For
- Deep expertise in literacy instruction and language development, with experience designing and implementing literacy curriculum and interventions.
- Proven track record of supporting multilingual learners (MLLs) and English language development, including knowledge of best practices and compliance requirements.
- Strong project management and systems thinking skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence without direct authority.
- Experience working in or with charter schools or similar educational organizations, and comfort with data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
📝 Tips for Applying to Rocketship
Highlight specific experience with literacy curriculum design and MLL program implementation, using quantifiable outcomes (e.g., 'improved reading proficiency by X%').
Demonstrate familiarity with Rocketship's model and values by referencing their mission and approach in your application materials.
Show evidence of successful cross-team collaboration, especially with school leaders and teachers, as this role requires influencing across the network.
Address the travel requirement upfront, indicating willingness and ability to travel up to 25%.
Use keywords from the job description (e.g., 'equitable access to grade-level content', 'language development', 'continuous improvement') to align your resume and cover letter with the role.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your vision for integrating literacy and multilingual learner supports to drive student achievement, aligned with Rocketship's mission.", "Specific examples of how you've led literacy or MLL initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements in student outcomes.", 'Your approach to collaborating with school leaders and teachers to implement and sustain high-quality instructional practices.', 'How you manage complex projects and influence stakeholders across a network, including your experience with remote work and travel.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Rocketship's literacy framework and any publicly available information on their approach to multilingual learner education.
- → Recent news or reports about Rocketship's academic performance, especially in literacy and MLL outcomes, to understand their current context and challenges.
- → The structure of Rocketship's network support team and how it collaborates with individual schools, to tailor your answers on cross-team partnership.
- → State standards and policies related to literacy and MLL in the regions where Rocketship operates (e.g., California, Texas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Washington D.C.).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on general literacy experience without addressing the specific needs of multilingual learners, which is a core part of this role.
- Failing to demonstrate experience working in a remote capacity or with dispersed teams, as this role is remote and involves significant travel.
- Using generic examples of collaboration without showing how you've influenced stakeholders across different levels (e.g., network leaders, principals, teachers).
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!