SR1 CPSA Academic Specialist

SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) Academic Specialist

Reports to: Principal

FLSA: Exempt

SR1 CPSA Academic Specialist Job Summary: Are you a dedicated and passionate educator who desires to see students grow and learn? Do you have the energy to serve as an innovative Academic Specialist for elementary students? If so, SR1 CPSA is the environment for you.  The SR1 CPSA Academic Specialist will use innovative educational and entertainment techniques with emphasis on hands-on learning to provide support to teachers and students to increase students’ deep learning of grade-level content.

The SR1 CPSA Academic Specialist will also assist teachers in providing a holistic student-centered approach focused on academic and social skills, while infusing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) across content areas to promote college access and success.

SR1 CPSA Overview

SR1 CPSA is located in northern Madison County and is the first free College Preparatory and STEM public charter school located in the state of Mississippi. SR1 CPSA is located within Canton Municipal School District, but students who are in surrounding school districts that are rated a “C” or below are also able to attend. The mission of the SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) is to ensure all elementary students have access to a positive and robust learning environment that infuses Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) across content areas. SR1 CPSA students will demonstrate growth and proficiency as they graduate prepared to excel in middle school with a solid academic foundation and intrinsic drive to succeed in college. Long term, our students will apply their college degrees to developing solutions to local, global, and environmental challenges as they break generational gaps and diversify the professional workforce. SR1 CPSA will implement best practices and serve as a model school for globally competitive public education.

Qualifications

• Possess proper certification and current licensure for position as required by the Mississippi Department of Education.

• Hold at least a valid Class “AA” License issued by the Mississippi State Department of Education and endorsed in the field of instruction to which he/she is assigned

• 3+ years of effective classroom experience, excellent communication (both oral and written) and presentation skills, and proficient knowledge

• Clear background check.

• Have met other qualifications and requirements as established by SR1 CPSA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to teachers and administrators, particularly in the areas of reading and mathematics

• Assist teachers with the implementation of the school curriculum, so competencies are adequately covered using best practice strategies

• Provide professional development based on individual school needs, including frameworks/benchmarks, balanced literacy, informal reading assessment procedures, running records and phonemic awareness, and school instructional goals

• Focus on in-class coaching and one-on-one assistance as much as possible

• Keep records of all contacts

• Provide professional development to teachers needing assistance with infusing STEM, reading, and mathematics

• Assist in the development and implementation of the school’s professional development plan

• Engage in personal professional development to remain informed of current research and practices

• Work with school personnel to update the school curriculum web page, including training opportunities, events, school procedures, school approved integrated units, etc.

• Develop intervention and tutoring programs that will benefit struggling students, assisting teachers with the intervention process

• Address grading policies and practices

• Apply for grants that would benefit students by improving the instructional program

• Assist schools with curriculum mapping efforts

• Assist with establishing extended year and summer school guidelines for instruction and record keeping

• Provide training for teachers and assist with program and material selection

• Coordinate the school assessment program, specifying the text to use, dates of administration for pre and post testing, ordering of materials, and training of teachers for diagnostic testing

• Assist administrators and teachers with analysis of patterns in testing data to ascertain areas of focus for strategic planning

• Conduct individual student testing as needed

• Provide professional development training for all assistant teachers on methods for assisting their assigned teacher and the teaching of reading

• Lead and attend staff meetings/trainings as applicable; serve on staff committees

• Assume responsibility for own professional growth and development, for keeping current with literature, new research findings, for attending appropriate professional meetings and conferences, and to maintain any credits and/or continued education for maintenance of licensure/qualifications required for the position

• Maintain and accept responsibility for any school owned fixed asset item assigned to employee and ensure appropriate use by following school policies for acceptable use

• Undergo periodic evaluations according to state and board policy procedures

• Maintain confidentiality

• Regular, dependable, in person, and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position

• Perform such other and not specifically enumerated duties as may be requested by the Board of Education, administrator, or established by school policy

• Read, understand, and abide by Employee Conduct Policy and all other school, state and federal policies, and procedures and protocols as established by SR1 CPSA and the Mississippi Educator Code of Conduct

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 35 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The work environment is a standard office setting and school/classroom. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate and occasionally high.

Please Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job.  The job description is not a contract or employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. SR1 CPSA may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

For consideration, complete employment application online at www.sr1cpsa.org/employment-application or email résumé and cover letter to: career@sr1cpsa.org Résumé and cover letters should be addressed to: Human Resources, SR1 CPSA, P.O. Box 2839, Ridgeland, Mississippi, 39158. No faxes will be accepted.

SR1 CPSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category.