Reports To:  Immediate Supervisor:  Building Principal

Position Purpose: Topeka Public School media/learning loss specialists  The library media specialist provides all students and staff with an enriched library environment containing a wide variety and range of resources that will invite intellectual growth. The media specialist aids students and staff in acquiring the skills needed to take full advantage of the library media center resources. In addition, the specialist will work with the Building Leadership Team, to schedule and deliver learning loss interventions, assist in assessment of student loss and progress monitor student response to learning loss intervention. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college/university preferred
• Current Kansas State Teaching Certificate with Library Media endorsement
• Two years teaching experience preferred
• ESOL endorsement preferred

Physical/Emotional Requirements: The incumbent may be required to use the following skills and abilities during any part of the working day.

• Speaking, hearing, visual, reading, writing, word processing, mobility, consistency of
• temperament, ability to work with a variety of problems at the same time, stamina for working long hours and in stress producing environments.

Performance Responsibilities:

Planning and Preparation

• Demonstrates knowledge of literature and current trends in library media practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of intervention resources and strategies
• Demonstrates knowledge of the state standards, the school’s program, the school improvement plan, and student information needs within that program
• Establishes goals for the library media program appropriate to the setting and the students served
• Plans the library media program integrated with the overall school program
• Demonstrates the use of information literacy and educational technology

Media/Learning Environment

• Creates an environment of respect and rapport with students and school staff
• Establishes a culture for investigation and love of literature
• Manages student behavior
• Organizes available physical space to enable efficient use within existing constraints

Delivery of Service and Instruction

• Collaborates with school staff in the design of learning loss intervention units and lessons
• Engages students in enjoying literature and in learning information literacy skills
• Assists students and school staff in the use of technology in the library media center.
• Teaches students and school staff ethical and effective strategies for locating and using ideas and information
• Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness
• Collects and analyzes learning loss data for the building and ensures the students who have experienced the most learning loss have access to learning loss interventions. Working with the Building Leadership Team, the specialist would schedule interventions, provide coaching to teachers and interventionists, provide intervention to students, assist in assessment of student loss and progress monitor student response to learning loss intervention .

Professional Responsibilities

• Reflects on library media program
• Communicates with the larger community
• Participates in a professional community
• Engages in professional development
• Advocates for the school library media program
• Shows professionalism

Library Media Program Management

• Demonstrates knowledge of resources, both within and beyond the school and district and access to such resources as interlibrary loan
• Develops a plan to evaluate the library media program
• Establishes and maintains library policies and procedures
• Maintains and extends the library collection in accordance with the school’s needs and within budget limitations
• Maintains the school audiovisual equipment and instructional technologies collection in accordance with the school’s needs, budget limitations, and duty assignments
• Prepares and submits budgets, records and reports
• Administers programs and events related to the library media center
• Other duties as might be assigned

Terms of Employment:

Salary and work year to be determined  in accordance with the Professional Agreement and approved by the Topeka Public Schools USD 501 Board of Education.  This position is grant-funded year-to-year.  A hiring incentive of up to $8,000.00 will also be offered for the 2022-23 school year.

Evaluation: 

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education policies for professional certified employees.

Significant Associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor.

Terms of Employment:

10.5 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board policy

on evaluation of certified employees.