Reading Specialist

Reading Specialist

Performs professional work as a reading specialist providing teaching and/or training services to students in general instruction or in a specialized subject or assigned group of subjects, motivating students to develop skill in assigned subject matters, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the school principal. Limited supervision is exercised over Paraprofessionals.

Essential Functions:

• Instructs students in collaborative, large group, and/or small group settings using best instructional practices
• Utilizes and models a variety of research-based instructional strategies to differentiate instruction based on student needs
• Assists classroom teachers with teaching/learning strategies that promote comprehension in all subject areas
• Models reading and language arts instruction in primary and intermediate (as necessary)
• Develops lesson plans and models research based strategies in the classroom
• Must be proficient in reading comprehension strategies
• Develops/ assists with remediation plans for students
• Collaborates with teachers regarding instruction and planning
• Collaboratively selects and coordinates (with approval of the principal) all reading and language arts materials used in the classrooms
• Assists teachers with instructional interventions
• Uses benchmark and other assessment data to diagnose students requiring reading intervention
• Integrates subject area content and technology
• Evaluates reading pacing guides and curricular alignment and works with staff to revise as necessary
• Evaluates instructional and professional development resources related to reading
• Evaluates students' progress; maintains appropriate records
• Communicates with students, student counselors and parents through conferences and other means
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education and self-selected professional books and instructional materials
• Assists with extracurricular activities and field trips as assigned
• Participates in curriculum development programs, faculty committees and student activity sponsorship as required
• Performs related tasks as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the subject(s) taught; thorough knowledge of elementary principles, practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching; thorough knowledge of school system rules, regulations and procedures; ability to deliver articulate oral presentations and written reports; skill in the use of personal computers and related software packages, hardware and peripheral equipment; ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior;
  
  ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, students and parents.

Education and Experience:

• The candidate must have:
  Completed at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of reading was an important responsibility

Physical Requirements:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires walking and occasionally requires sitting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, depth perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and to convey detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly;
  
  hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work has no exposure to environmental conditions;
  
  work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, playground, classroom, light traffic).

Special Requirements:

• Possession of or ability to acquire appropriate license(s), certificate(s) and/or endorsement(s) for position as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia or School Board.

Reports to Principal