Reading Specialist

FLSA Status : Exempt

Reports To : Building Principal

Supervises : None

Employment Terms : 10 ½-Month Teacher Position (210 Contracted Days)

Grade : Teacher Scale

Position Summary

Position is responsible for implementing a comprehensive literacy program at the assigned school through coaching, supporting, and guiding teachers in best practices for literacy instruction.

Position conducts staff development, models lessons, conducts classroom visitations and provides feedback to teachers and administrators on the school’s literacy program.

Position is responsible for analyzing school literacy data and planning for future literacy needs. Position is responsible for instructing students individually or in groups to enable students to develop literacy skills.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates the school’s reading program across disciplines.
• Assists administrators and teachers at the assigned school in the implementation of a comprehensive literacy program.
• Facilitates the school’s literacy team to implement a support framework for student achievement in literacy and to review the reading progress of students.
• Collects and facilitates the review and use of school literacy data to guide instruction and plan for student needs.
• Demonstrates literacy lessons to teachers in classrooms and workshop settings.
• Observes literacy lessons and provides feedback to teachers to improve literacy instruction at the school, including planning for ongoing monitoring and support.
• Provides individual and / or small group instruction to meet the needs of students.
• Interprets the abilities and disabilities of students and works cooperatively with classroom teachers who have these students in classes.
• Assists with screening, evaluating, and recommending interventions for students reading in the lower quartile.
• Completes reports, collects data, and provides information for program monitoring as requested.
• Conferences as requested with parents / guardians regarding the English reading and writing performance of students.
• Participates in writing and monitoring the implementation of the curriculum.
• Participates in the construction and selection of literacy assessments.
• Selects, requisitions, and maintains books, instructional materials, and instructional aids.
• Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities.

Other Duties

• Attends staff development programs, curriculum development meetings, and other professional activities.
• Keeps abreast of developments, research, and new technology in the field.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the school principal or other appropriate administrators.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

• Must possess a Master’s degree and be eligible for a Virginia Teaching License with an endorsement as a Reading Specialist.
• Must have completed at least three years of successful teaching experience.
• Must possess effective instructional delivery techniques and excellent communication skills.
• Must possess knowledge of the needs of students requiring remedial reading instruction.
• Must possess an in-depth knowledge of instructional best practices and adult learning theory.
• Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school colleagues, school administrators, parents and students.

Physical Requirements

• Requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
• Regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions.
• Frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, bending, lifting, distributing educational materials / items as needed and using technical equipment in area of assignment.
• Standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and / or to make fine distinctions in sound
• Requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Must be mobile enough to travel and monitor program aspects in all instructional settings within and without the division.

Occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

• Possession of or ability to acquire appropriate license(s), certificate(s) and / or endorsement(s) for the position as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia or School Board.
• May require the ability to acquire a valid driver’s license to operate division-owned / leased motor vehicles. The incumbent’s driving record will be subject to periodic review, and must be acceptable in accordance with the provisions of the Dinwiddie County School Board’s policy manual.
• All candidates must successfully undergo the following pre-employment screenings :
• Tuberculosis Screening
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation

Evaluation

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Dinwiddie County School Board’s policy manual.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Dinwiddie County Public Schools does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

We will recruit and select applicants for employment solely on the basis of their qualifications. Our guidelines and practices, including those relating to wages, benefits, transfers, promotions, terminations and self-development opportunities, will also be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex / sexual orientation, gender / gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, disability, protected veteran status and all other classes protected by the Federal and State Law. Drug Free Workplace.

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