Reading Specialist

Job Title

The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's:
Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities. The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District's vision and mission.

C.O.R.E.: C
- Children First:
The well being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions. O
- One Chester Upland:
With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland. R
- Reimagining:
Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all. E
- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence:
We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach targeted literacy intervention to small groups of students' daily using research-based intervention curriculum and resources.
• Review student achievement and assist with placing students in appropriate reading and writing intervention and support services.
• Maintain daily log with work related reports and artifacts as directed
• Provide leadership, coordination, collaboration, data analysis and innovation in reading curriculum and instruction, so that each student may drive maximum benefit from the K-8 reading curriculum.
• Plans and develops special reading projects as approved or provided by Assistant Superintendent.
• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of the K-8 reading program.
• Ensures that reading is a component of the K-8 Language Arts.
• Responsible for maintaining the literature collection.
• Assists in the selection of appropriate materials utilized by the classroom teacher for corrective measures.
• Provides demonstrations of new methods and materials.
• Assist students using software and materials related to the literacy program.
• Meet periodically with the classroom teacher to plan literacy instruction that correlates with the individual student's needs or as requested by the classroom teacher.
• Assist with development of professional development to enhance knowledge of pedagogy and content, especially literacy.
• Maintain and submit accurate and up-to-date management records of all students' progress.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to literacy as assigned by Assistant Superintendent.
• Set student goals and instructional outcomes, based on specific student assessments in reading.
• Use assessments to diagnose reading strengths and weaknesses, and match these skills with appropriate techniques.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and application of appropriate teaching strategies
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school
• Knowledge of the needs of students requiring remedial reading and math instruction.
• Thorough understanding of the teaching and learning process
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education
• Ability to infuse technology into curriculum
• Ability to guide and train teachers in effective techniques and strategies
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, central office, school based staff, students, parents and community
• Ability to use diagnostic data to tailor instruction to meet the needs of the student(s)
• Excellent organizational, communication, and human relations skills.

Other Requirements

• Specialized teaching assignments may require additional training and/or certification.
• Must be able to pass an initial fingerprint and background clearance checks
• May be required to lift and carry heavy, bulky supplies and materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• May be required to work outside normal working hours.
• May be required to travel to perform work functions.

Ideal Candidate will demonstrate the following and/or have experience with:

• A commitment to success for all of the Chester Upland students and specifically to raising the academic achievement of all the children in this district
• A desire to grow professionally and seek out new opportunities for professional development
• An ability to use data to drive instruction
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Innovative teaching methodologies using techniques such as team teaching, demonstrations, simulation and consultation
• An ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills
• An ability to critically assess challenges and identify effective instructional/behavioral solutions to support the success of each student
• Exceptional classroom management…