SY 26-27 Reading Specialist

Center School District • Kansas City, MO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The reading specialist supports, supplements, and extends classroom teaching with small group interventions focusing on decoding fluency, comprehension, and writing skills. This role involves working with small groups of students on specific reading weaknesses, performing assessments, analyzing data for district-wide initiatives like MTSSRTI placement, and assessing student reading strengths and needs to inform teachers and principals. The specialist will also provide training and support to teachers and administrators on reading programs and literacy techniques, assist teachers in using assessment approaches to differentiate instruction, manage Literacy Lab tutors, and maintain school online reading programs. Additional duties include before, during, and after school responsibilities, providing reading advice to teachers, attending parent-teacher conferences, leading in the field of reading, conducting staff development, and meeting with teachers to evaluate student progress. The position also requires performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Two (2) years related experience with some classroom experience.
• Master’s degree in related field.
• Valid teaching certificate with Reading Specialist endorsement.
• Knowledge of assessments and diagnosis vital for individual instruction.
• Knowledge of essential components of effective reading programs as well as the comprehensive reading program and instructional materials that will be used in the school.
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in reading and writing.
• Strong written and oral communications and relational skills.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment, including computer, printer, calculator, and copier.
• Strong personal skills with children under 6.
• Ability to work with teachers, administrators, and other school staff as a collaborator.
• Ability to maintain accurate records to demonstrate student growth.
• Ability to assist in the selection of books, instructional materials and equipment.
• Ability to attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees.
• Ability to make provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day.
• Ability to effectively welcome and embrace differences among employees and citizens.
• Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation.
• Must be able to successfully complete an intense background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed.

Responsibilities

• Work with small groups of students on specific areas of weakness in reading.
• Perform assessments and analyze data for the district wide initiative MTSSRTI placement.
• Assess the reading strengths and needs of students and provide that information to classroom teachers and principals.
• Provide training and support for teachers and administrators in reading programs and literacy techniques.
• Assist teachers in utilizing a variety of on-going instructionally based assessment approaches to inform and differentiate instruction and placement in RTI groups.
• Manage Literacy Lab tutors by meeting weekly to discuss students’ progress and check in every 3 months on strategies used by tutors.
• Manage and update school online programs such as Lexia Reading Plus and AR accounts as students enter and exit the school.
• Perform before, during, and after school duties including student supervision, lunchroom management, and subbing in for classroom teachers when needed.
• Provide reading advice to classroom teachers.
• Attend parent teacher conferences as needed.
• Provide leadership in the field of reading.
• Conduct staff development for teachers in the area of reading instruction.
• Meet regularly with classroom teachers to evaluate student progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level