EXCELLENCE TODAY. LEADERS TOMORROW.
Job Title – Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) Local Reading Specialist (LRS)
Supervisor: Principal
FLSA Status: Exempt
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, 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
An ARI local reading specialist shall have all the following minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- The required Alabama Professional Educator Certificate.
- 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.
- A minimum of two years of experience as a successful elementary or literacy teacher.
- A knowledge of scientifically based reading research, special expertise in quality reading instruction and intervention, dyslexia specific interventions, and data analysis.
- A strong knowledge base in the science of learning to read and the science of early childhood education.
- Excellent communication skills with outstanding presentation, interpersonal, and time management skills.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To ensure that all students are reading on or above grade level by the end of third grade, the job of the ARI-funded local reading specialist(s) outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act, will include the following, as evidenced by student reading achievement and growth:
- 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.
- Facilitating school-wide professional development and monitoring and measuring the impact of transfer to practice.
- Modeling effective science of reading instruction for teachers that is explicit, systematic, inclusive of detailed explanations, and provides more extensive opportunities for guided practice, error correction, and feedback.
- Coaching and mentoring teachers daily via planned coaching cycles based on data, and gradually releasing responsibility to teachers.
- 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.
- Fostering multiple areas of teacher professional learning, including exceptional student education and content area knowledge, and adjusting based on data.
- Prioritizing time for those teachers, activities, and roles that will have 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.
- 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.
- Collaborating with regional specialists and attending professional learning opportunities hosted by ARI, including all assigned Coaching Communities.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: A nine-month contract is required to fulfill these job responsibilities. It is also expected that local reading specialists support summer learning efforts, preferably in their coaching role, and it is recommended that any addition to a nine-month contract be supplemental and not an extended contract.
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 the overall program and process effectiveness. This includes results-based coaching cycles and weekly schedules of planning. Support for local reading specialists will be provided by ARI regional literacy specialists according to specifications outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act 2019-523.
The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are based on the 2025–2026 Alabama Reading Initiative Local Reading Specialist Job Description and Memorandum of Understanding/Allocation (MOU/MOA).
SALARY RANGE: According to Satsuma City Schools Salary Schedule at https://www.satsumaschools.com/salary-schedule . Actual salary will be determined by rank and experience. Current employees with questions regarding step placement on the salary schedule should contact the Personnel Department.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please contact the school principal for any additional details. District Website: https://www.satsumaschools.com
The State does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the District are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.
Alabama school boards are required by state law to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees by using the federal E-Verify program. New employees are required to provide a Social Security number, an unexpired identity document that contains a photograph, and other acceptable documents that establish employment eligibility. In addition to determining whether a new hire is authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify will confirm that the employee's name and Social Security number match.
