ARI Reading Specialist - Lakewood Elementary School

Montgomery-Public-Schools; Lakewood (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery Public Schools seeks an ARI Reading Specialist to coach teachers in curriculum use, assessment tools, and evidence-based reading practices to boost student achievement.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree with Alabama teaching certification, a Master’s preferred, and a minimum of three years’ success with K-3 reading; science of reading training is required. Nine-month calendar; salary as recommended by the Superintendent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with Alabama certification required.
• Master’s Degree preferred with certification.
• Minimum 3 years of proven success with K-3 reading.
• Valid state teaching certificate required.
• Reading/literacy credentials preferred.
• Science of reading training required.

Responsibilities

• Provides personalized support to teachers and principals to improve instructional program and meet students’ learning needs.
• Facilitates district professional development with targeted coaching cycles and effective teaching strategies.
• Assists administrators and teachers in using assessment tools and reports to support all students.
• Disaggregates and interprets student data to improve learning outcomes.
• Develops targeted methods for improving program effectiveness with teachers.

Skills

Coaching

Reading instruction

Data-informed instruction

Professional communication

Adult collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree with Alabama teaching certification

Master’s Degree with Alabama teaching certification (preferred)

Job description

Job Title: ARI Reading Specialist

Job Code: CI-141

Job Grade: Teacher’s Schedule

Job Goal: To provide coaching and support to the district’s educators at assigned schools in the effective use of curriculum materials and tools, instructional strategies, and teaching practices in order to increase student performance and achievement.

Reports To: Chief Academic Officer Designee

Supervises: None

Essential Duties and Responsibilities***

• Provides personalized support to teachers and principals at assigned schools by planning, collaborating, organizing, mentoring, and facilitating change for the purpose of improving the instructional program and meeting students’ varying learning styles and needs.
• Facilitates the district’s professional development model to provide specific coaching to teachers through coaching cycles and other means in areas related to effective teaching strategies and instructional practices.
• Assists administrators and teachers in utilizing assessment tools (universal screeners, diagnostic, formative, and summative) and reports in support of all students.
• Possess the ability to disaggregate, analyze, and interpret student data including miscues and reading behaviors to ensure student learning outcomes are on Works alongside teachers in developing targeted methods for improving program effectiveness.
• Provides literacy expertise by participating in meetings to collaboratively review student assessment data with teachers for the purpose of coaching, discussing feedback, aligning district and school goals, and promoting quality, research-based instructional best practices that meet teachers’ needs and support of effective school improvement planning.
• Works with principals and teachers during grade/department meetings to support cohesion of instruction throughout the school and contributes to the ongoing development and implementation of school improvement plans that affect vertical and horizontal alignment within the district.
• Presents demonstration lessons, curriculum updates, coaching sessions, and instructional workshops to teachers on an individual and/or group basis to clarify information, model effective teaching practices, promote teamwork, and improve learning outcomes.
• Assists with the development and monitoring of intervention programs within the school
• May participate in the evaluation and selection of various resources, textbooks, supplies, and materials to ensure the most up-to-date and current components are implemented into the school system’s day- to-day teaching practices.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of technology and other instructional tools and resources to enhance and extend instruction.
• Maintains research-based knowledge in state and national current trends and best practices within curriculum and instructional practices; reviews current developments, literature, and technical sources of information; and utilizes knowledge to ensure ongoing improvements are implemented.
• Participates in a variety of approved professional development programs, including peer observations, in-service activities, training workshops, inquiry sessions, etc., and serves on various teams when
• Communicates effectively with teachers, principals, Curriculum Coordinators, Curriculum Specialists, and other HCS staff to promote a comprehensive and collaborative approach to enhancing instructional
• Collects and maintains proper documentation (i.e., student files, various records, confidential data, ) for the purpose of recording activities, providing reliable information, and ensuring compliance with applicable guidelines and regulations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

*** The essential duties and responsibilities in this document are not all-inclusive. In conjunction with this job description, an in-depth explanation of the duties may be found within the Alabama Reading Initiative’s job description for ARI Reading Specialist. All other tasks must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer’s Designee.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college and/or university with an early childhood and/or elementary education degree certification from the Alabama Department of Education is required. A Master’s Degree from an accredited college and/or university with an early childhood and/or elementary education degree certification from the Alabama Department of Education is highly preferred. Applicants must have a minimum of three (3) years of proven success with K-3 struggling readers. Must possess and maintain a valid state teaching certificate. Applicants that possess or are pursuing reading/literacy credentials or certification are highly preferred. ARI Reading Specialist must also:

• Demonstrate depth of knowledge, skill, and experience in the critical areas of beginning/foundational reading (Phonological and Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Reading/Writing Connection).
• Display exceptional abilities to work with both adults and students.
• Exhibit strength in professionalism and in communication
• Demonstrate characteristics of an on-going learner.
• All applicants must be science of reading trained to be considered.

Physical Requirements

Requires light work exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. Job involves sitting most of the time.

Terms of Employment

Nine month year. Salary as recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.

This specification has been designed to represent the general nature and level of work found in this position. As such, it is not intended to contain all duties and qualifications of an employee in this position. Consequently, it is not intended to be perceived as an identification of essential job functions as required by ADA. Note: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to that position.