Librarian / School Media Specialist

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – LIBRARIAN / SCHOOL MEDIA SPECIALST

About New Beginnings Family Academy

Opened in September 2002 offering grades K-3, New Beginnings Family Academy (“NBFA”) offers active and engaging learning experiences from Pre-K through 6th grade. NBFA is a tuition-free, public charter school proudly distinguished by:

• Social, emotional and academic learning steeped in child development best practices
• An emotionally responsive model that weaves trauma-informed practice into every classroom
• Parental involvement, in and outside of the classroom

NBFA is located at 184 Garden Street, Bridgeport, CT. NBFA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workplace. NBFA respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes of all stakeholders: employees, students, families, and members of its’ Board of Directors.

Mission-Driven Culture:

NBFA employees thrive in a collaborative environment of thoughtful self-reflective professionals on a mission to change the life outcomes of Bridgeport youth by narrowing the nefarious achievement gap. Our mission is to provide students a meaningful, high-quality education through experience-based learning to develop essential social, emotional, and critical-thinking skills to give all children the foundation to achieve their potential.

Summary:

The NBFA Librarian/Media Specialist must be committed to and advocate for our mission to provide students a meaningful, high-quality education through experience-based learning. The Librarian/School Media Specialist collaborates with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to support high-quality teaching and learning by integrating information literacy, digital citizenship, research skills, and instructional technology into the PreK–6 curriculum. The Librarian/School Media Specialist develops and maintains an engaging, inclusive library media program that fosters a lifelong love of reading, promotes inquiry and critical thinking, and ensures equitable access to diverse, high-quality print, digital, and multimedia resources that support the academic, social, and emotional development of all students.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Implement engaging, standards-aligned instructional activities that foster active learning, critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, and academic achievement.
• Teach information literacy, digital citizenship, media literacy, research skills, and responsible technology use.
• Identify, select, and adapt instructional resources to meet the diverse academic, developmental, cultural, and learning needs of all students, including students with disabilities.
• Prepare and submit developmentally appropriate lesson plans and instructional materials in accordance with school expectations.
• Use student performance data to inform instructional decisions, monitor student progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of library instruction and programming.
• Contribute to the achievement of school-wide academic and organizational goals through effective planning, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers, special education teachers, interventionists, and other staff to support curriculum implementation, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and student achievement, including IEP goals when applicable.
• Participate actively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), grade-level teams, data teams, and other collaborative structures to improve instructional practice and student outcomes.
• Maintain an organized, welcoming, inclusive, and well-managed library learning environment, including accurate circulation, inventory, and library records.
• Develop, evaluate, and manage a diverse, high-quality library collection by selecting, purchasing, cataloging, and weeding materials aligned with curriculum needs, student interests, diversity, and age appropriateness.
• Foster a school-wide culture of literacy through reading promotion initiatives such as book talks, read-alouds, author studies, literacy events, and other engaging reading experiences.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and staff regarding student progress, library services, programs, and literacy opportunities.
• Establish and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with students, families, colleagues, and administrators in support of the school’s mission and improvement goals.
• Demonstrate professionalism by meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, maintaining confidentiality, attending required meetings, fulfilling assigned duties, and adhering to ethical standards.

Certification, Knowledge and Skills: The Teacher must:

• Maintain a State of Connecticut Certification 048 or 062
• Masters of Library Science or Educational Technology

Benefits:

• Friendly work environment
• Health coverage includes medical and dental benefits (generous portion of premium paid by NBFA)
• Life, AD & D, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• All certified personnel participate in the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (“CTRB”)
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Ten (10) paid holidays plus school closes year-end, for Spring Break and Summer Vacation
• Vacation / Sick Leave / Personal Time per Collective Bargaining Agreement

Classification:

Full-Time/Exempt/186 days

Compensation:

Per Collective Bargaining Agreement

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

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

License/Certification:

• CT Teaching Certification 048 or 062 (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Bridgeport, CT 06605 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Bridgeport, CT 06605: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person