Literacy Specialist (Licensed Teacher) at Ricardo… · Denver

About the Role

The Literacy Specialist (Apprentice Teacher) delivers explicit, systematic reading instruction using the 95 Percent Group curriculum to small groups of students inside K–8 classrooms. This is a teaching role, not an aide role: you will run daily small-group lessons, co-teach alongside classroom teachers, and provide individual intervention for students who need the most intensive support.

No teaching license or prior classroom experience is required. We provide intensive on-the-job training, weekly coaching, and a clear pathway toward becoming a licensed classroom teacher. If you want to learn to teach reading well and you are willing to be coached, we will train you.

What You'll Do

Deliver 95% Group instruction

• Teach daily small-group lessons using the 95 Phonics Core Program, Phonics Lesson Library, and Blueprint for Intervention with fidelity to the routines and pacing.
• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention to students identified through screening data.
• Work with individual students when the data calls for one-on-one intensive support.
• Administer and score literacy screeners and diagnostics (DIBELS, PSI, i-Ready) and use the results to place students in the correct skill group.

Team teach inside classrooms

• Co-teach and push into classrooms alongside the classroom teacher, running your group while core instruction continues.
• Coordinate with the classroom teacher on scheduling, grouping, and how your small-group focus connects to what students are learning in Tier 1.
• Regroup students as skills are mastered so groups stay tightly matched to current need.

Track progress and adjust

• Progress-monitor your caseload on a set cycle and bring the data to weekly meetings.
• Reteach, repace, or regroup based on what the data shows — not on the calendar.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, lesson coverage, and mastery for each group.

Communicate

• Share student progress with classroom teachers, the learning services team, and school leadership.
• Participate in family meetings and conferences to share literacy progress in plain language.
• Contribute to grade-band and data meetings.

Support the school

• Serve as a substitute teacher in classrooms as needed.
• Actively participate in staff meetings, learning services meetings, and one-on-one coaching sessions.

Training and Support

This role is built around getting you good, fast:

• Full 95% Group certification training before you begin instruction, plus ongoing refreshers.
• Weekly one-on-one coaching cycles with an instructional coach — real-time observation, targeted feedback, and practice on one high-leverage skill at a time.
• Live modeling and co-teaching with experienced teachers during your first weeks.
• Weekly data meetings where we look at your groups' progress together and plan the next moves.
• A defined pathway to lead teacher for apprentices who are ready.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to be coached, observed, and given direct feedback weekly.
• Positive approach to a fast-paced, high-expectations environment.
• Ability to pass a background check and meet Colorado paraprofessional/substitute requirements.

Preferred

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience working with children in any setting — classroom, tutoring, camp, after-school, coaching, or community programs.
• Prior experience with structured literacy, phonics instruction, or the science of reading.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person — 5330 Meade St, Denver, CO

Pay: From $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person