Title of Position: Reading Specialist

Directly Responsible to: Director of Student Support Services and School Leader(s)

Primary Function: Design and implement a reading & language arts standards-based curriculum for small groups of students in grades K-4 that utilizes constructivist instructional methods for the appropriate learning level of the students. Create and maintain a healthy and safe reading academy class environment that demonstrates respect for all and supports student success. Communicate and partner effectively with colleagues to support student learning. Evaluate student learning in reading and language arts and adapt to evaluation data to continually improve our academic program.

Essential Functions:

Curriculum and Instruction

• Plan and implement a reading and language arts integrated curriculum for your K-4 level reading groups based on the California Common Core State Standards in language arts.
• Utilizing constructivist methods, create and maintain a reading academy class environment that supports learning.
• Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and special needs.
• Maintain effective and efficient record-keeping procedures.
• Identify, select, and implement an assessment and progress monitoring system to ensure instruction is driven by data.
• Provide assessment data to the teachers and School Leaders as requested in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with peers (reading specialists, cluster, enrichment, special ed., volunteers) in order to enhance the instructional environment.
• Collaborate with peers on identifying target students using assessment data.
• Assume responsibility for meeting student performance goals & working with the faculty to meet Larchmont Schools’ achievement goals.

Classroom Support, Relationships, and Tone

• Build personal relationships with all students that demonstrate respect and compassion.
• Maintain a classroom atmosphere that is safe, accepting, positive, and interactive.
• Create opportunities for students to learn with & from each other through varied groupings, partnerships, and shared learning experiences.
• Involve students in the processes of the reading academy, including, but not limited to, creating rules, accepting responsibilities, understanding the consequences of misbehavior, communicating effectively about problems and conflicts, and developing the skills to solve problems independently.

Communications

• Communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Respond to communications (phone messages, emails, notes, etc.) in a respectful and timely manner.
• Complete and submit lesson plans to the School Leader(s) and involved colleagues in a timely manner.
• Complete and submit quarterly progress reports and/or narratives in a timely manner.
• Participate professionally in scheduled meetings (grade level; faculty; Whole Child Assessments; Professional Development, etc.).
• Take attendance daily and ensure that all attendance records/data are accurate and submitted on time

Professionalism and Teamwork

• Model professional behaviors & ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, & the broader community.
• Maintain reliable, consistent attendance and punctuality.

Other Functions:

• Periodically serve as a Lead trainer for programs used for intervention.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: Classroom management strategies and approaches to creating and maintaining a reading group environment of safety, respect, and learning; Cultural and socio-economic differences in the student population; Conflict resolution strategies to support healthy social development in children; Professional skills for collaboration & teamwork with other education professionals; Written & oral communications skills; Constructivist learning theory and its translation and application in reading and language arts; CA Common Core State Standards in reading and language arts for age range of assignment.

Ability to:

Apply constructivist theory to reading and language arts; Translate standards into creative, integrated, small group activities; Create and maintain a safe, respectful learning environment; Meet the needs of a diverse student population; Support student social & emotional development; Work collaboratively & professionally with the Larchmont Schools team; Communicate effectively with all stakeholders to support student success. Use modern technology for teaching, communicating, and reporting.

Physical Requirements:

Continual speaking; standing for long periods of time; frequent sitting, reaching, walking, bending, grasping, and pinching; occasional lifting and carrying, squatting, twisting, or kneeling.

Environment:

Uneven surfaces, noise, quick work pace. Requires that the incumbent work effectively under stressful situations and respond to the unpredictable behaviors of students. Frequent use of computer screen. Occasionally involves working outdoors and exposure to inclement weather. Infrequently involves exposure to traffic congestion. May rarely involve exposure to biohazardous waste.

Other Requirements:

Support the Mission and Vision of the School; exercise good judgment and moral character; fingerprint clearance & TB test clearance. Larchmont Schools has the right to revise this job description at any time. Larchmont Schools is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Minimum Qualifications:

(*) Bachelor’s Degree

(*) Valid CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (preferred)

(*) TB Test clearance & Department of Justice fingerprinting clearance

(*) Familiarity working with small groups of students in a tutoring environment and understanding of reading standards for grades K-4

(*) An enthusiasm for curriculum development to support a growing school program.