Reading Specialist/locations Job Cullman area,Alabama USA,Education / Teaching

Position: Reading Specialist (possible vacancies/locations)

Job Title:

Reading Specialist

Supervisor:
Principal

Start Date:

8/4/2026 or TBD

Salary: CCBOE Salary Schedule

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Alabama Reading Initiative Local Reading Specialist & Memorandum Of Understanding/Allocation (MOU/MOA)

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. Support for local reading specialists will be provided by ARI regional literacy specialists according to specifications outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act .

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 administrators, 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.

Allocation:
Each Local Education Agency (LEA) is to ensure that each school with any configuration of kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or third grade has designated a local reading specialist. For example:
If system A has a kindergarten school and a first grade through third-grade school (two schools total), that system would receive two full allocations for two local reading specialists. Allocations for local reading specialists will be sent quarterly for schools that can verify a local reading specialist committed to the ARI LOCAL READING SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION. Schools without a verified local reading specialist will not receive their quarterly allocation.

Minimum Qualifications:

An ARI local reading specialist shall have all the following minimum qualifications:

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 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…

Reading Specialist​/locations

Reading Specialist/locations