Academic Specialist, K-4

Spring Lake Park Schools is a vibrant community serving about 6,200 students from Blaine, Fridley, and Spring Lake Park in the northwest Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Our district purpose, "High expectations, high achievement for all. No excuses," guides us in meeting each student's unique needs. We are recognized for our commitment to personalized learning and fostering a culture of innovation through human-centered design thinking.

About Spring Lake Park Educators

Each teacher at Spring Lake Park Schools designs meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future. Our educators create engaging, relevant work grounded in students' interests, strengths, and needs, challenging them to think deeply and take an active role in their learning. Teachers cultivate inclusive, engaging learning environments where each student feels valued, supported, and has a true sense of belonging. The focus is on developing strong academic skills and essential career and life competencies such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and self-direction.

Our teachers are reflective, collaborative professionals committed to ongoing learning. They embrace a culture of reciprocal feedback, refining their practice and driving continuous improvement and innovation. Above all, they believe that each student deserves meaningful work worthy of their time, talents, and potential.

Our academic specialists identify student skill needs through diagnostic assessments and support growth through targeted, evidence-based interventions aligned to learning progressions. This includes scaffolding foundational skills below grade level to strengthen access to core learning. Students engage in motivating experiences that build on their interests, with assessment for learning practices used to monitor progress and clarify next steps. Progress is documented to ensure accelerated growth and achievement of intervention or IEP goals, while ongoing communication with families supports learning at home. Collaboration with home-base teachers, case managers, and related service providers ensures coordinated support through participation in IEP and evaluation meetings.

Responsibilities

• Design meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future.
• Create engaging, relevant work grounded in students' interests, strengths, and needs.
• Cultivate inclusive, engaging learning environments where each student feels valued and supported.
• Develop strong academic skills and essential career and life competencies such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and self-direction.
• Reflect on and refine teaching practices through reciprocal feedback.
• Implement targeted, evidence-based interventions to support student growth.
• Collaborate with colleagues, families, and service providers to ensure coordinated support for students.
• Participate in IEP and evaluation meetings as needed.

Requirements

• Earned a B.A. or B.S. degree.
• Holds or is eligible for a Minnesota State Licensure in Elementary Education.
• Commitment to the equitable education of all students.
• Creative planning and organizational skills.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to successfully implement the responsibilities outlined in the position overview.

Qualifications

We strongly prefer candidates who have exhibited excellence in collaboration with colleagues and an enthusiasm to work with students. Preferred qualifications include:

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning as evidenced by graduate-level work or an earned degree.
• Participation in professional organization conferences or seminars related to the content area.
• Experience working with diverse learners.

Pay

$53,228-$107,781 per school year (placement determined based on experience and qualifications). Salary is pro-rated based on start date.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Sick Leave
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)