Reading Specialist

Beginning 2024-25, CEG will implement a new vision for all schools in the network: “to equip all students to read, write and communicate fluently and with comprehension.”

CEG has been partnering with Memphis Literacy Institute for 18 months to design the program to ensure that all teachers receive professional development around the science of reading and LETRS to deliver instruction that ensures all scholars read, write, and communicate fluently and with comprehension 30 months after enrolling in a CEG school.

This grand vision, based on national research on best literacy practices, includes paid professional development delivered by MLI and CEG certified coaches for all ELA and reading specialists, individual coaching during the school year and training on curriculum such as CKLA, Reading Horizons and Lexia. CEG believes this will dramatically improve reading outcomes for students and be a model for effective literacy instruction for Memphis.

Model:

Currently serving 1,400 students in prekindergarten-8th grade as part of Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (the Commission), CEG equips all students with the Wisdom and Knowledge necessary to succeed in college and to become leaders in their community. With more than a decade of charter school experience in Memphis, CEG provides a distinctive, quality public education to low-income families in Memphis’ Binghampton, Frayser, Parkway Village and surrounding communities. CEG’s structure, perspective, methods, and systems are based on successful urban schools around the country and includes:

• Intense focus on the core subjects: reading and math
• More time learning created by an extended school day
• Standards-based lesson plans, curriculum, and assessments
• Intentional character and leadership development
• Early dismissal on Fridays for planning and professional development
• Full behavior teams, counselors, a nurse and three academic coaches to support classroom teachers
• Opportunities for educators to have leadership roles in which they can lead and serve as grade chairs and master teachers

Results from TN Ready Assessments:

• Lester Prep earned a TVAAS 5, the highest score the state gives to a school, for a record 3 years in a row
• Cornerstone Prep Denver received a TVAAS 5 for three of the past four years
• Cornerstone Prep Denver earned the highest overall proficiency rate in the entire district, making it the highest performing school in the ASD and setting the ASD record for highest overall rate of proficiency in math ever recorded
• Lester Prep tied the ASD record for the highest middle school math score ever in the district
• CEG had the highest performing school in the district for the fourth consecutive year
• Since 2012, CEG has successfully launched two elementary schools and one middle school, launched a 4th school in the fall of 2022, has set ASD records for math achievement and 3 consecutive years of TVAAS 5 growth, has earned priority school exit status by turning around the lowest performing school in the state, and has scored in the 90th percentile in growth for 3 years in a row on a nationally recognized test.

Mission:

Capstone Education Group equips all students with the Wisdom and Knowledge necessary to succeed in college and to become leaders in their community.

Nature of the Work:

CEG believes research reveals every child can read at grade level when given the proper support and resources. CEG seeks Reading Specialists who can lead scholars to reading fluently and with comprehension in 3 years or less.

The reading specialist will work under the direction of the Literacy Lead, work with Memphis Literacy Institute (MLI) to receive training approximating reading specialist certification and will participate in CEG provided training in LETRS, Lexia, Reading Horizons and other Science of Reading best practices.

Job Expectations:

• Collect, organize, and interpret individual student reading data to group students, design lessons, and meet reading goals.
• Use diagnostic data and reading platforms to teach scholars currently unable to read at grade level to read fluently and with comprehension
• Group students based on beginning of year reading assessment
• Ensure accelerated reading growth by teaching a daily literacy class and delivering small groups within the class
• Provide pullout, small group instruction to students based on diagnostic reading needs
• Effectively manage curriculum, data platforms, and supplemental materials to ensure strategic planning for all students
• Be trained by CEG and curriculum trainers and develop proficiency in a variety of literacy interventions, LETRS, Reading Horizons, and other science of reading research-based best practices
• Work with Memphis Literacy Institute (MLI) to receive training approximating reading specialist certification during the normal school day and calendar
• Focus on reducing student reading gaps relative to grade level without constraints of ELA standards, TN Ready or RTI requirements
• Receive individual coaching by the Director of Literacy in the science of reading and application to work
• Under the supervision of the Director of Literacy, use reading data to identify needs of students
• Ensure that students reach their identified reading goal through proactive data cycle of progress monitoring, adjusting intervention resources, and delivering targeted interventions

Qualifications:

• Teaching license required
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Passion to deliver an outstanding education to students from urban backgrounds
• Willingness to “sweat the small stuff” and utilize every minute of every day to accomplish the mission
• An unwavering conviction that all students can achieve at high levels when provided an environment of high expectations
• Growth mindset displayed by openness to feedback and immediate application of that feedback
• Strong communicator who is organized, reliable and detailed and effectively uses data for purposeful planning
• Belief in the CEG mission and best practices as found in the CEG Blueprint
• Value common language, assessments, and systems in every CEG school

Capstone Education Group:

• Capstone Education Group leads four charter schools: Cornerstone Prep Denver Campus (prek-5), Cornerstone Prep Lester Campus (prek-5), Cornerstone Prep School in Parkway Village (k-2), and Lester Prep (6-8).
• Capstone Education Group’s Vision: CEG equips all students with the Wisdom and Knowledge necessary to succeed in college and to become leaders in their community.
• Visit www.cegmemphis.org for more information on Capstone Education Group and the schools.

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