Reading Specialist

Elementary Reading Specialist

Position Summary: The purpose of this position is to have an individual who can fulfill multiple roles related to the improvement of student achievement in literacy.  The Reading Specialist works primarily in a direct teaching role with struggling students, while spending some time in professional support and consultation with classroom teachers, so as to identify best practices and instructional materials for a wide range of students.

Description of Duties:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Management of the Learning Environment

• Utilizes effective and varied instructional techniques and procedures.
• Provides a standards-based, student centered environment in each class taught.
• Utilizes educational materials properly.
• Maintains a pleasant, neat and well-organized classroom.
• Performs scheduled duties promptly.
• Fulfills paperwork responsibilities promptly.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service educational activities.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the content area.
• Understands and implements the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Teacher/Pupil/Parent Interaction

• Assumes responsibility for providing a safe, supportive learning environment for every student.
• Relates well to students of varied proficiency.
• Provides and promotes opportunities for students to develop a wholesome self-concept.
• Guides students toward self-control.
• Provides effective student structure in the total school setting.
• Accepts responsibility for the well-being of each assigned student.
• Remains approachable to students and parents, as needed.
• Contributes to a positive and effective working relationship between school and home.
• Provides direct instruction to struggling readers.
• Supports, supplements and extends classroom instruction with a goal of excellency.
• Assists the classroom teacher with appropriate materials and methods.
• Evaluates struggling readers for eligibility for additional services.
• Suggests and provides enrichment activities for advanced readers.
• Assists in the development of school-wide motivation to read programs.
• Oversees and coordinates completion of classroom literacy assessments.
• Maintains literacy closet.
• Assists building administrators and staff with matters related to the English/ Language Arts framework.
• Assists building administrators and staff with matters related to MCAS scores.
• Remains professionally active by regular participation in study groups, regular
• Curriculum meetings, literacy teams, and other literacy related professional
• development opportunities.

Professional and Personal Qualities

• Adheres to the academic, ethical and social standards of the profession.
• Speaks and writes clearly, understandably and appropriately.
• Dresses appropriately and is well-groomed.
• Accepts constructive criticism.
• Applies suggestions for improvement.
• Uses confidential information for professional purposes only.
• Is equitable and sensitive and responsive to all learners.
• Realizes that good attendance is necessary for effective learning.
• Participates in ongoing professional development, including all district sponsored initiatives.
• Aligns instruction to the Massachusetts frameworks and to departmental syllabi.

Teacher/Staff Relations

• Shows evidence of helping to promote positive working relationships with school personnel.
• Demonstrates willingness to share and exchange ideas, skills, techniques and materials.
• Works effectively with administrative personnel.
• Accepts and implements school and district decisions.
• Fulfills assigned duties and out-of-class responsibilities.
• Complies with school department procedures and school committee policies.

Supervision: 

Supervision Scope:

Supervises students and evaluates their achievement.

Supervision Given and Received:

Supervised by principal and/or director.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants must forward cover letter, resume, transcripts, proof of MA DESE license and SEI Endorsement as well as three current letters of recommendation

Education, Training and Experience:

• Earned Master’s Degree in Reading, Language Arts, or Language and Literacy from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education in Elementary, Grades 1-6 and/or Reading, PreK-6.
• Demonstrated subject matter competence, highly qualified, in the area of licensure.

Knowledge Required:

• Currency in the curriculum including knowledge of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
• Effective planning and assessment of curriculum and instruction.
• Effective classroom management.
• Effective instruction in a standards-based classroom.
• Promotion of high standards and expectations for student proficiency.
• Promotion of equity and appreciation of diversity.
• Effective integration of technology across the curriculum.
• Fulfillment of professional responsibilities.
• Possesses specialized knowledge of the Dimensions of Literacy (phonological
• awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, motivation to read).
• Possesses specialized knowledge of instructional strategies which are vital for
• the implementation and support of literacy development.
• Possesses specialized knowledge of assessment and diagnosis, which is vital for informing instruction and identifying students’ specific needs.

Abilities Required:

• Ability to deliver effective instruction.
• Ability to differentiate instruction to meet student needs.
• Ability to administer required student testing and assessments.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with students, parents, colleagues and administrators.
• Ability to articulate and communicate a coherent and congruent literacy program.
• Ability to provide both remedial and developmental reading programs.

Skills Required:

• Effective classroom management skills.
• Excellent listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Skills in the specific subject matter of instruction.
• Skilled in addressing reading difficulties.
• Skilled in the requirements of an elementary classroom teacher.

Salary: Please click here for our Substitute Information sheet.

Please click here to apply!

Non- Discrimination Notice: Waltham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Waltham Public Schools has partnered with the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education (MPDE) in our effort to welcome diverse candidates to our school system. We value and prioritize the hiring of educators who bring a wealth of perspectives and experiences to our schools, and who reflect the diversity of the students we serve.

MPDE is a collaborative of public school districts with a 40-year uninterrupted history committed to supporting the interest of its members to increase the numbers of teachers of color for their schools by providing recruitment support and related services.