Teacher, Grade 5-8 Special Education - Reading Specialist (3165)

Natick Public Schools•Natick, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Natick Public Schools seek a Middle School Special Education Reading Specialist to facilitate the growth of students' literacy skills through direct service, collaboration, consultation, and coaching. This role enables students to gain literacy skills and generalize these skills across all content areas. Natick Public Schools is an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district serving approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are committed to providing high-quality services for our diverse students and their families, fostering a safe, trusting, and respectful environment where learning is exciting and engaging. Our community is dedicated to all students achieving high standards, with a focus on connectedness and belonging. We serve families speaking nearly 60 languages, with approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a 97% graduation rate and 90% of students attending post-secondary schools, we pride ourselves on educating informed and successful global citizens. We welcome educators who thrive in a diverse environment focused on the whole child through a strengths-based approach. We partner in our mission to support diversity, promote equitable practices for all, and create meaningful connections for inclusion and thriving.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
MA DESE licensure in Reading.
MA DESE SEI Endorsement.
Trained in a Multi Sensory Systematic Approach to Reading.
Ability to identify both formal and informal assessments that measure students reading skills.
Ability to evaluate/analyze formal and informal data in order to provide recommendations based on data.
Knowledge of best practices in teaching reading to individuals and small groups with a highly systematic approach.
Thorough understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student engagement and opportunity.
Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues.
Candidates must be flexible and collaborative.
Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth.
Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production.
Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

Nice To Haves

Masters preferred.
Additional certification in special education and/or ESL highly desirable.
Certification in Wilson Reading or Orton Gillingham preferred.
Teacher training in reading programs and/or extensive experience with teaching highly systematic reading approaches.
Experience teaching in a diverse public school preferred.
Experience working with students with disabilities/special abilities preferred.
Experience working with students who are English language learners preferred.
Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and PowerSchool preferred, but will train the right candidate.
Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the growth of students' literacy skills through direct service, collaboration, consultation, and coaching.
Identify formal and informal assessments that measure students' reading skills.
Evaluate and analyze formal and informal data to provide recommendations.
Provide instruction for individuals or small groups of students, especially those identified as struggling readers.
Collaborate with classroom teachers to identify specific student needs and deliver appropriate instruction.
Work with teachers in planning and conducting professional development.
Serve as a resource for parents, including communicating, providing information, and conducting workshops.
Work with volunteers, providing training sessions, coordinating schedules, and recruiting.
Assist in the writing of the curriculum.
Look for and assist in the selection of new reading materials.
Serve as a leader on curriculum committees.
Coordinate schedules for reading specialists and classroom teachers.
Maintain a literacy center or location for various literacy materials.
Assist in the development and selection of assessment instruments.
Conduct assessments for individuals or groups of students.
Assist in the interpretation of test results with teachers and parents.
Coordinate testing schedules.
Share results of assessments with the public.
Work with district and school leadership to combat systemic barriers that limit students’ equitable access to opportunity.
Identify and address bias and its impact on rigor and opportunity for students.
Update policies and equitable access procedures as needed.
Any other duties assigned.