Reading Specialist (2025-2026)

Reading Specialist

Salaried - 210 Days

Reports to Chief Academic Officer

The Reading Specialist uses their deep understanding of the principles of Science of Reading to build towards Grow Public Schools’ vision that all scholars are reading on or above grade level by second grade. The Reading Specialist will work collaboratively with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) to plan, facilitate, and coordinate the implementation of standards-based and research-driven instruction in early literacy. The Reading Specialist will provide staff with resources, support them in implementing curriculum and interventions, and guide their instructional practices in reading through mentoring and modeling as well as providing professional learning coaching.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Professional Development & Teacher Training

• Design and deliver professional development on early literacy best practices, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Train teachers on evidence-based reading instruction aligned with the Science of Reading.
• Model effective literacy instruction through demonstration lessons and co-teaching.
• Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to teachers through classroom observations and instructional rounds.
• Guide teachers in using data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for diverse learners.

Curriculum & Instructional Support

• Help develop or refine a structured, systematic early literacy curriculum that supports all students.
• Identify and recommend high-quality instructional materials that align with research-based literacy instruction.
• Support teachers in implementing structured literacy approaches, including explicit phonics instruction.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop lesson plans and intervention strategies for struggling readers.

Data Analysis & Progress Monitoring

• Train teachers to use formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress.
• Analyze literacy data (e.g., DIBELS, MAP, F&P, Acadience, etc.) to identify trends, gaps, and areas for instructional improvement.
• Guide teachers in using assessment results to differentiate instruction and provide targeted interventions.
• Work with administrators to set reading benchmarks and progress monitoring goals for all K-2 students.

Intervention & Support for Struggling Readers

• Design and oversee tiered intervention strategies for students who need additional support (MTSS/RTI).
• Work with teachers to implement small-group or one-on-one interventions for students at risk of reading difficulties.
• Train teachers in explicit and systematic phonics instruction to prevent reading struggles.
• Collaborate with special education teachers, ELL specialists, and interventionists to support diverse learners.

Family & Community Engagement

• Provide training and resources to parents on how to support early literacy at home.
• Works with the Instruction and Leadership Team to organize family literacy nights, workshops, and reading programs to promote a culture of reading.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a liaison between teachers, administrators, and district leaders on literacy initiatives.
• Stay updated on research-based best practices and communicate findings to staff.
• Advocate for policies and funding that support early literacy development.
• Work with school and district leadership to ensure a cohesive, school-wide approach to early literacy instruction.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A passion for bettering historically underrepresented communities and increasing the instructional rigor and practice of teaching faculty.
• Recognition as an exemplary classroom teacher and excellent professional role model.
• Deep understanding of the principles of the science of reading, reading assessments and early childhood literacy programs.
• Experience working linguistically and ethnically diverse students.
• Demonstrated commitment to personal professional growth and learning.
• Knowledge of, or experience with teacher growth and development.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills, strong subject matter competence and English language development strategies.

Required Education and Experience:

• Valid clear CA credential or commensurate experience leading teachers
• California Reading and Literacy Added Authorization preferred
• Master’s degree in Education or related field preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of successful teaching experience
• Experience teaching early elementary (TK-2) reading
• Ability to demonstrate development and delivery of high quality instructional professional development to TK-2 teaching faculty