Position Summary

The Reading Specialist is a master teacher of small group instruction. The instructional focus of the specialist is to support and implement a foundational skills program designed to build strong literacy skills in students identified as having a serious reading deficiency (SRD). The goal of the specialist is to administer supplemental and intensive interventions with students, collaborate with teachers and school administrators to support students’ academic growth, progress monitor students and share data with key stakeholders to ensure that a multi-tiered system of supports addresses the needs of all learners.

The Reading Specialist role is leader, teacher, and student-facing as, in addition to facilitating small group instruction with students, the role requires the person to facilitate professional development sessions, work alongside teachers to share and discuss data and provide resources.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Providing strong, explicit, and systematic reading instruction that aligns to the Science of Reading (SoR) and is focused on foundational skills to students in small groups and one-on-one settings;
• Demonstrating a deep knowledge and understanding of literacy instruction and best practices associated with reading intervention work;
• Serving as a content specialist to assist in the development and implementation of foundational skills reading instruction;
• Understanding and interpreting assessment data, both formative and summative, to facilitate data discussions and data team meetings to inform instructional decisions and the development of flexible student grouping;
• Supporting data meetings in a high-level to ensure that both students and teachers understand their data and are constantly progressing towards goal;
• Making data-based decisions in alignment with our district’s MTSS framework;
• Communicates and collaborates with classroom teachers about alignment between classroom instruction and intervention;
• Collaborates with the Principal and Instructional Coaches as required to provide curriculum implementation guidance to teachers;
• Participates as a member of the school data team;
• Establishes and maintains good rapport with students, families, peers, and administrators;
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality; and,
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Missouri certification as a Reading Specialist required.
• Education degree from an accredited college/university with a focus on English, literacy, or reading instruction.
• Advanced degree in education/reading, preferred.
• A minimum of three years of effective ELA instruction in a K-12 setting with proven academic outcome results;
• Strong content knowledge in ELA and the Missouri Learning ELA standards;
• Demonstrated results in improving student outcomes and achievement in ELA or reading;
• Demonstrated competencies in the areas of instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment, and diagnostics and research related to student learning and pedagogy;
• Strong relationship-building skills;
• Effective written and oral communication skills;
• Experience working in collaborative structures;
• Ability to set goals with students and motivate the students to reach their goals.

PREFERENCES

Wilson Teacher Certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sufficient vision to read printed material, see distant objects with clarity, and identify and distinguish objects
• Sufficient hearing to hear conversations in person and on the telephone, and hear sounds clearly up to 30 feet
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone, and in addressing groups
• Ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• This position requires standing, walking, sitting, bending and reaching for extended periods of time
• Sufficient manual dexterity and/or mobility to grasp and/or manipulate objects, operate mechanical equipment, and move about the work area
• This position will subject the employee to work environments that have exposure to weather or interiors with extremes of heat and/or cold, wet and/or humid conditions, high noise levels, and various work related hazards

EEO Statement:

The School District of University City is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law.

Learn more about The School District of University City at www.ucityschools.org