ARI Reading Specialist (10 Month)

Montgomery-Public-Schools; Bessemer (AL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Empower Community School in Alabama seeks an ARI Local Reading Specialist to drive targeted, data-informed reading instruction for elementary students. The role emphasizes modeling evidence-based practices, coaching teachers, and collaborating with the principal to implement a district literacy plan.

The specialist will monitor student progress three times per year, facilitate professional development, and align instruction with the science of reading as outlined in the school’s strategic plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field with relevant certification.
• Advanced coursework or professional development in science of reading is required.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the principal to develop a strategic coaching plan to improve reading instruction.
• Lead schoolwide professional development and monitor instruction impact.
• Model explicit, systematic science of reading instruction for teachers with detailed guidance.
• Coach and mentor teachers daily through planned coaching cycles and data-informed practice.
• Analyze data to differentiate instruction and adjust strategies based on student needs.

Skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related

Advanced coursework in science of reading

Job description

ARI Local Reading Specialist

Overview

Empower Community School influences change in our community by forging collaboration between a diverse group of scholars, educators, families, and partners to educate the next generation of community leaders and advocates. Our personalized approach to learning supports the academic, social, and emotional development of each scholar and prepares them to excel in every endeavor with the courage and ability to advocate for themselves and the community.

Empower unapologetically believes

• Every student can learn and grow in rigorous academic settings with the appropriate support.
• Schools are a place for equitable collaboration between educators, scholars, families, and the broader community.
• Empathy, interpersonal skills, and social-emotional development are the foundation of a positive culture.
• Technology can be an educational equalizer when used for personalized learning, content creation, and community connections.

We are seeking motivated, entrepreneurial individuals to join our founding team. Empower Community School Team members must be dedicated to the mission of the school, including our goal to support the academic, social, and emotional development of students. Ideal candidates will be self-motivated, innovative educators with a passion for student, adult, and community development.

Reports To: Principal

Supervises: N/A

EVALUATION AND SUPPORT

Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) local reading specialists will be evaluated according to quantitative and qualitative data measures. Summative and formative student assessment data, surveys, and site visit reports will be used in determining local reading specialists’ effectiveness and that of overall program and process effectiveness. Support for local reading specialists will be provided by ARI regional literacy specialists according to specifications outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act 2019-523.

ROLE OF THE LOCAL READING SPECIALIST

Per the Alabama Literacy Act, “An Alabama Reading Initiative local reading specialist shall be assigned to provide intensive, targeted professional development for elementary school teachers at one school. ARI Local reading specialists may not perform administrative functions such as serving as an evaluator, substitute teacher, assessment coordinator, or school administrator, full-time interventionist, or instructional coach above third grade. The state superintendent of education will certify that each local reading specialist has the qualifications to serve in this capacity based on verification by the local superintendent.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• a. Collaborating with the principal to create a strategic plan for coaching to support and measure the impact of reading instruction according to the science of reading, school baseline data, and data from approved early reading assessment systems.
• b. Facilitating schoolwide professional development and monitoring and measuring the impact of transfer to practice.
• c. Modeling effective science of reading instruction for teachers that is explicit, systematic, inclusive of detailed explanations and more extensive opportunities for guided practice, error correction, and feedback.
• d. Coaching and mentoring teachers daily via planned coaching cycles based on data and gradually releasing responsibility to teachers.
• e. Facilitating data analysis discussions and supporting teachers by using data to differentiate instruction according to the needs of students by adhering to the framework of tiered instruction.
• f. Fostering multiple areas of teacher professional learning, including exceptional student education and content area knowledge, and making adjustments based on data.
• g. Prioritizing time for those teachers, activities, and roles that will give the greatest impact on student reading achievement, such as coaching and mentoring in classrooms, as evidenced by coaching logs, student impact data, and site visit data.
• h. Monitoring the reading progress of all students a minimum of three times per year and making recommendations for the adjustment of instruction according to student-specific needs identified from multiple data points and aligned with the science of reading as specified in the strategic plan for coaching.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• a. The required Alabama Professional Educator Certificate.
• b. A bachelor’s degree and advanced coursework or professional development in the science of reading, such as multisensory language instruction, or comparable alternative training approved by the Alabama State Board of Education.
• c. A minimum of two years of experience as a successful elementary or literacy teacher.
• d. A knowledge of scientifically based reading research, special expertise in quality reading instruction and intervention, dyslexia- specific interventions, and data analysis.
• e. A strong knowledge base in the science of learning to read and the science of early childhood education.
• f. Excellent communication skills with outstanding presentation, interpersonal, and time management skills.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Empower Schools of Alabama considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital status, veteran or military status, the presence of a medical condition, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination and as required by law, Empower Schools of Alabama does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law, in providing education services, activities, and programs.