Middle School Reading Teacher

Little Rock School District • Little Rock, AR

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Middle School Reading Teacher will provide supplemental literacy and dyslexia intervention instruction to help students master reading and writing skills appropriate to their age, grade level, and individual capacity. This is a 9.25-month contract position (190 days) with a benefits package. The role requires a commitment to student success, fostering social, emotional, physical, and academic growth within a positive, safe, and learner-centered environment. The teacher will collaborate with administration and staff, maintain accurate records, and assist in implementing school policies. Instruction should be student-centered, with a focus on individual needs and learning styles, utilizing a variety of techniques and media. The position involves implementing innovative, research-based strategies, serving as a model classroom, and creating a conducive learning environment. Responsibilities also include maintaining classroom inventory, monitoring student activities, providing technical support for school events, producing school news, and engaging with parents and the community. Collaboration with team members, attendance at staff meetings, and participation in professional development are expected. The teacher will structure the classroom for cooperative learning and integrate the LRSD Curriculum Guides, with a preference for individualized mastery-based learning and differentiated instruction. Assessment of student accomplishments and progress monitoring are key components, along with using diverse methods, including the arts, to foster literacy. Assisting in identifying and utilizing community resources and actively improving professional competence are also required. Applicants will undergo a rigorous application process.

Requirements

• Valid Arkansas teaching certificate in Elementary Education K-6 or Middle Childhood Education 4-8.
• Master’s degree in education, curriculum, instruction, or reading preferred.
• Experience in teaching reading/literacy instruction and/or intervention in middle grades preferred.
• Must hold or be willing to complete within two years: Arkansas Reading Specialist Certification or Master’s Degree (or higher) in Reading preferred.
• Must also satisfy RISE requirement and any other related job requirement(s) as determined by the Arkansas Department of Education.
• Dyslexia Therapy Certification is a plus.
• Preference will be given to candidates with recent, successful experience in similar roles.
• Ability and willingness to use current and upcoming technologies within instruction and support.
• Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in education, curriculum, instruction, or reading.
• Experience in teaching reading/literacy instruction and/or intervention in middle grades.
• Arkansas Reading Specialist Certification or Master’s Degree (or higher) in Reading.
• Dyslexia Therapy Certification.
• Recent, successful experience in similar roles.
• Preference given to an individualized mastery-based learning approach and implementing differentiated classroom instruction.

Responsibilities

• Provide supplemental literacy and dyslexia intervention instruction.
• Embrace school configuration and best practices with high expectations and promote student success.
• Adopt a student-centered focus that allows students to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically.
• Support the vision and mission by working collaboratively with the administration and ALL staff to create a positive, safe and learner-centered environment.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Assist the administration in implementing all policies and/or procedures governing student life, conduct, wellness, and academic mastery.
• Plan instruction designed to promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth and development of children.
• Formatively assess student progress and modify instructional techniques.
• Plan a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
• Refer children to support services within the school community as needed.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievements of curriculum goals by establishing and communicating clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects.
• Integrate skills into units and learning centers in the classroom.
• Prepare for instruction and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media to meet individual student needs and learning styles.
• Implement innovative, research-based instructional strategies, assessments, techniques, programs being considered by the building and/or District.
• Collect pertinent data and information related to the effectiveness of innovation.
• Work with the appropriate personnel to prepare formal narrative and statistical reports related to the effectiveness of the innovation.
• Serve as a model classroom for the building and District.
• Allow administrators, teachers, parents and others to observe in the classroom as requested.
• Provide technical assistance, share information and resources with other teachers and staff.
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and developmentally appropriate to the maturity and interest of the students.
• Encourage students to set, monitor and maintain high standards for classroom behavior.
• Develop reasonable rules and procedures in order to maintain a classroom climate which is equitable, fair, and conducive to learning.
• Maintain an inventory of all equipment, furniture, and large center items.
• Maintain a clean and orderly classroom.
• Monitor individual and/or group activities to prevent accidents and promote social skills.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, material and facilities.
• Provide reasonable technical support for school-related activities (i.e. student performances, assemblies, recognitions), to include reporting, filming, capturing and archiving.
• Produce regular school news to internal and external stakeholders in various formats, including social media, morning news cast, podcasts, newsletters, etc.
• Make provisions for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Work with parents to promote cooperation, understanding of development and participation in the program.
• Allow parents to observe their children in the classroom setting.
• Assume responsibility for encouraging and involving parents and community in decision making relative to the development and implementation of programs at the building level.
• Meet and instruct assigned class in the location and at the times designated.
• Work collaboratively with content and grade-level team members.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Make commitment to time necessary for participating in District/school sponsored staff development.
• Structure the classroom for cooperative learning activities.
• Structure the learning environment to enable students to study the integrated science program outlined by the LRSD Curriculum Guides, giving preference to interdisciplinary opportunities in collaboration with other content areas.
• Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students, with preference given to an individualized mastery-based learning approach and implementing differentiated classroom instruction.
• Prepare for classes assigned and show written evidence of preparation upon request of school administration.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
• Assess the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provide progress monitoring with regular feedback to students and reports as required.
• Initiate diverse methods of engaging students using the arts to foster and employ literacy acquisition, comprehension, and appreciation.
• Assist in identifying and utilizing community resources such as field trips and opportunities to engage learners in diverse communication opportunities and modalities as appropriate.
• Actively improve professional competence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Benefits package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level