Reading Specialist

JOB TITLE: Reading Specialist

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Principal

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  Under the direction of the principal, the responsibilities of the position fall into two categories. As a teacher, this position is responsible for providing direct instruction to students, individually or in small groups, to enable students to develop literacy skills. As a literacy leader, the position is responsible for implementing a comprehensive literacy program at the assigned school through coaching, supporting, and guiding teachers in best practices for literacy instruction. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Provides direct instruction in the areas of reading and writing for identified groups and individual students, with an emphasis on emergent, beginning, and transitional readers. 
• Identifies literature for use in all content areas in support of the curriculum. 
• Provides curriculum support and training for all teachers and continuous staff development that supports school division initiatives. 
• Models and coaches instructional methods in a variety of settings (whole group and small group) and provide follow-up support. 
• Collaborates with and coaches teachers on the use of assessment data to plan instruction; analyzes school literacy data and plans for future literacy needs. 
• Provides ongoing training and follow-up in the use of assessment tools. 
• Selects instructional materials to meet student needs. 
• Participates in collaborative instructional planning. 
• Assesses students using a variety of measures to determine appropriate placement and specific instructional needs. 
• Conducts classroom visitations and provides feedback to teachers and administrators on the school’s literacy program. 
• Serves as a liaison between the school and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction by attending reading specialist meetings and disseminating information. 
• Maintains an organized system and accessible location for the storage and circulation of reading and writing materials. 
• Maintains a comprehensive inventory of instructional materials and resources. 
• Assists with the planning and delivery of parent workshops and informational sessions involving the language arts program. 
• Participates in parent conferences and provides instructional suggestions. 
• Remains grounded in content standards and objectives in order to facilitate integrated and concept based instruction. 
• Exhibits evidence of effective lesson plans. 
• Utilizes a variety of appropriate materials and resources. 
• Creates a school-wide literacy team schedule utilizing the reading specialist, instructional assistants, and PALS tutors. 
• Manages the school’s reading budget in cooperation with the school principal. 
• Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of curriculum and techniques for integrating curriculum. Knowledge of the needs of students requiring remedial reading 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 the 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 students. Excellent organizational, communication, and human relations skills. Demonstrates knowledge of the subject being taught.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in the applicable field of education from an accredited college or university.  
• Must have a Virginia teaching license with appropriate endorsement and have a successful background in reading instruction.  Virginia teaching license with a Reading Specialist endorsement or at least 30 semester hours of graduate coursework in the competencies for the endorsement, as well as practicum experience in the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties, preferred.
• The individual also must have at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of reading was an important responsibility. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects, and some light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires reaching, pushing, and pulling, use of hands to grasp, handle or feel, fine manipulation, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of office equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.   

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt 

DISCLAIMER:  The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required to employees to this job.

HENRY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Position will be posted until filled.

Due to limited funds, HCPS is unable to sponsor Visas.

Salary : $51,356 - $73,456