Reading Specialist - Academic Programs

Job Title:              Reading Specialist

Location:              Academic Programs

Pay Grade:           Teacher Salary Scale

Work Calendar:     Licensed 200 Day Staff

FLSA Status:         Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Director of Core Curriculum, this position facilitates and supplements the building-level reading and language arts program through consultation with faculty and staff and by providing supplemental professional learning and/or coaching to selected teams or teachers.

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide leadership and coaching services in the assessment of reading and language arts skills with the development and implementation of an action plan for identified schools

• Collaborate with diverse building teams to offer additional support in literacy
• Utilize building data to identify areas in need of support
• Conduct root cause analysis and prioritize action steps
• Define successful outcomes for action steps and determine data collection methods to monitor progress
• Assist building reading specialists and teachers in understanding students’ reading and language arts abilities and the importance of appropriate supports and/or interventions.
• Develop professional learning based on the assessed needs
• Provide information regarding reading and language arts progress to teachers, the building leadership team, and the division.

Support and demonstrate core values of Stafford Schools

• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position.
• Respond to written and oral requests for information promptly and thoroughly.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as a role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Comply with all District and School policies and regulations, including but not limited to guidelines for confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Hold a Postgraduate Professional license with an endorsement as a Reading Specialist.
• At least three (3) years of successful full-time reading specialist experience in which the coaching of reading was the predominant responsibility.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge
  • Reading and language arts instructional strategies
  • Literacy development, current theory and practices in reading and language arts instruction, and various assessment strategies
  • Standardized tests and the procedures in developing corrective strategies
  • Adult learning theory and incorporating it into professional learning development
  • Instructional coaching for individuals and groups
  • Knowledge of the Science of Reading and the requirements of the Virginia Literacy Act
• Skills
  • Relate positively to internal and external stakeholders
  • Conduct needs based assessments
  • Analyze data to determine areas of strength, opportunities for growth, and problems of practice
  • Display effective communication skills
  • Manage multiple projects
  • Maintain a high level of self-awareness and reflective practices to evaluate and enhance processes, behaviors, and outcomes
• Abilities
  • Interact effectively with others, remain flexible, and collaborate in diverse team environments
  • Organize and perform work independently
  • Meet deadlines for all work even when working on multiple projects
  • Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment is primarily inside, with moderate noise, temperatures that are controlled, and no exposure to chemicals or other negative air quality elements.
• The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects.
• The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job: standing for prolonged periods; sitting for prolonged periods; moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively; moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively; feeling, grasping, or holding objections by hand; identifying colors visually; identifying objects in low light or distant conditions; communicating via spoken language; communicating via written language; perceiving sounds; making decisions using logic and rational thinking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations shall be made, as required by law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Salary : $56,375 - $105,306