Media Specialist (Grades: K-5)

About the role

Provide leadership under the direction of Library Media Services to ensure all students are effective users of ideas and information. Supervise and manage the school library/media center and programs, providing services and resources to develop skills in locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and using information to solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Use the TEK’s/SE’s as the basis for instruction and library curriculum products, including Library Scope and Sequence.
• Provide group instruction and individual guidance to students to help them locate resources and use research techniques and self-manage their learning.
• Prepare strategic plans to assure meeting School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas.
• Participate as an educational leader, an equal partner, and a change agent in the curriculum development process at both the campus and district levels.
• Model and promote collaborative planning, cooperative teaching, and direct instruction as determined by learners’ needs and state curriculum standards.
• Model and promote the highest standard of conduct, ethics, and integrity in the use of the Internet and other print and electronic resources.
• Instruct students in the ethical use of resources to locate, gather, select, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information.
• Provide and promote ongoing learning opportunities for students and staff that foster connections and engagement.
• Supervise Media Assistant(s), student aides, and work with multiple interruptions and multi-task under pressure.
• Provide instructional access to library resources and facilities through open, flexible scheduling of classes, small groups, and individuals.
• Create an environment in which students follow acceptable standards of behavior that are conducive to learning.
• Provide a balanced, carefully selected, and systemically organized collection of library resources, print and digitally, that meet student needs.
• Implement effective strategies and techniques to systematically perform library management operations.
• Encourage a high level of circulation, including inter-library loan, to facilitate information access beyond the campus.
• Support academic rigor by integrating the teaching of research and information processing skills to ensure students are college ready, workforce ready, and effective life-long users of information.
• Work cooperatively with the community-at-large and libraries to promote common goals that benefit all students.
• Carry out discipline in accordance with Board policies and administrative regulations.
• Support the students’ right to free selection of materials for enjoyment or information.
• Interact with students to promote positive attitudes toward the school library program and love of reading in a safe, secure environment.
• Stay abreast of the information culture of students and staff and incorporate this awareness into the library program.
• Exhibit effective communication through oral, written, electronic, and nonverbal expression.
• Comply with Federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and Board policy in the library/media services area.
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the library/media center program and make changes based on statistical reports and findings.
• Engage in continual self-evaluation and self-directed learning for professional growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a directly related field with valid Texas Library certification.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Two years minimally as a highly qualified teacher.
• Bilingual skills a plus.
• Working knowledge of library and information science.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct and manage students in a varied environment.
• Demonstrated strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility to cope with the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
• Demonstrated willingness to remain current with the latest developments in the profession.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in library science and education, with excellent communication and organizational skills.

Skills

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to instruct and manage students in a varied environment.
• Working knowledge of library and information science.
• Ability to work with multiple interruptions and multi-task under pressure.
• Effective communication through oral, written, electronic, and nonverbal expression.

Benefits

Salary will be based upon the Board approved RELATED INSTRUCTIONAL salary schedule.

Pay

Minimum Salary: $68,193.00, Median Salary: $81,831.00

Schedule

Full-time