What are the responsibilities and job description for the Reading Specialist, Givens Elementary position at WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT?
Primary Objective: To provide intensive intervention and implement scientifically based reading instruction to improve reading skills, develop grade-level composition skills, encourage critical thinking, and improve literacy skills needed for secondary and post-secondary success. This position will serve high school students with one-on-one and small group instruction in literacy.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Small-Group & Individualized Instruction: Implementing research-based strategies to improve fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and decoding skills
- Push-In Model Support: Collaborating with classroom teachers to reinforce reading strategies and provide differentiated support
- Data Analysis & Progress Monitoring: Assessing student growth through formal and informal assessments, tracking progress, and adjusting instruction based on individual needs
- Intervention & Enrichment: Designing structured reading interventions for struggling readers while also providing opportunities for advanced literacy development and experiential application
- Professional Collaboration: Working alongside teachers, administrators, and support staff to enhance literacy instruction building-wide
- Student Advocacy: Identifying students who need additional reading support and providing strategies to help them gain confidence and proficiency in literacy
Specific Duties:
- Assist classroom teachers with universal screening.
- Provide additional diagnostic assessments to students flagged by the universal screener to determine the level of intervention
- Develop caseloads and communicate the level of intervention to building principals, classroom teachers, and families
- Coordinate the master list of students screened with accurate data and accompanying Reading Success Plans
- Choose the appropriate intervention based on identified student needs and use state-approved progress monitoring tools to communicate student growth
- Ensure that students with RSPs have materials or resources available for families to use at home. Provide guidance to classroom teachers and families for students receiving interventions
- Participates in monthly professional development sessions
- Attend PLC meetings and parent meetings as required
- Attend professional development opportunities to support students, the school, and the district
- Provide input to teams regarding student academic strengths and areas for growth
- Provide the high quality instruction needed to move students to grade level proficiency
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of informal and formal assessment procedures and curriculum standards
- Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in written form, with a variety of students, teachers, and families
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and confidentiality on sensitive issues
- Ability to work effectively with all stakeholders
- Calm demeanor for handling stressful situations
- Ability to accomplish tasks that are often interrupted by persons with special and/or immediate needs
- Ability to report to work consistently and promptly as scheduled
Education and Training:
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree
- Master's Degree Preferred
- Missouri Teacher Certification (Special Reading K-12)
- LETRS training preferred
- Knowledge of Orton-Gillingham instructional strategies
WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER & E-VERIFY PARTICIPANT
WGSD District Code of Conduct