JOB TITLE: Middle School Reading Specialist
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the principal, the responsibilities of the Middle School Reading Specialist position fall into two categories. As a reading specialist, this position is responsible for providing direct instruction and reading intervention as needed for students, individually or in small groups, to enable students to develop literacy skills. As a literacy leader, the 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 to produce high-quality outcomes in the area of literacy.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Works closely with the Dyslexia and Literacy Coordinator to collaborate on Virginia Literacy Partnership (VLP) and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) literacy initiatives.
• Provides direct instruction and intervention in reading and writing for identified groups and individual students, emphasizing emergent, beginning, and transitional readers.
• Works collaboratively with teachers to analyze and use assessment data to examine the effectiveness of specific intervention practices and determine the next steps in instruction to produce high-quality outcomes in the area of literacy.
• Works with SBIT and attends regular meetings to provide intensive evidence-based literacy interventions and remediation aligned with the science of reading.
• Collaborates with teachers in all content areas to promote learning and the implementation of best practices to support literacy.
• Provides curriculum support and literacy training for teachers and continuous professional development that supports school division literacy initiatives.
• Provides support for teachers through modeling, coaching, co-teaching, collaboratively planning, and providing resources to support literacy instructional practices in a variety of settings (whole group and small group), and provides follow-up support.
• Collaborates with and coaches teachers on the use of literacy assessment data to plan instruction; analyzes school literacy data and plans for future literacy needs.
• Provides ongoing training and follow-up in the use of literacy assessment tools.
• Selects instructional materials to meet student literacy needs.
• Participates in collaborative instructional planning to assist teachers with designing instruction to meet the literacy needs of students.
• Assesses students using a variety of measures to determine specific literacy instructional needs.
• Conducts classroom visitations and provides feedback to teachers and administrators on the school’s literacy program.
• Serves as a liaison between the school and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction by attending reading specialist meetings and disseminating information.
• Maintains an organized system and accessible location for the storage and circulation of reading and writing materials.
• Maintains a comprehensive inventory of instructional materials and resources.
• Assists with the planning and delivery of parent workshops and informational sessions involving the language arts program.
• Participates in parent conferences and provides instructional suggestions as needed.
• Remains grounded in content standards and objectives to facilitate integrated and concept-based instruction.
• Participates in ongoing professional learning opportunities to stay abreast of the latest evidence-based literacy instruction and science of reading.
• Exhibits evidence of effective lesson planning.
• Utilizes a variety of appropriate materials and resources.
• Performs other duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of curriculum and techniques for integrating literacy curriculum. Knowledge of how to determine and meet the needs of students requiring remedial reading instruction. Knowledge of scientifically based reading assessment and instruction. Thorough understanding of the teaching and learning process. Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education. Ability to fuse technology to support the curriculum. Ability to guide and train teachers in effective literacy techniques and strategies. Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, central office, school-based staff, students, parents, and community. Ability to use diagnostic data to tailor literacy instruction to meet the needs of the students. Excellent organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor’s degree in the applicable field of education from an accredited college or university.
• Virginia teaching license with appropriate endorsement and a successful background in reading instruction.
• Virginia teaching license with a Reading Specialist endorsement or at least 30 semester hours of graduate coursework in the competencies for the endorsement.
• Practicum experience in the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties is preferred.
• At least three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of reading was an important responsibility.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects, and some light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires reaching, pushing, and pulling, use of hands to grasp, handle or feel, fine manipulation, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of office equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees for this job.
Job will be posted until filled.
Henry County Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Due to limited funds, Henry County Public Schools is unable to sponsor Visas.
Primary Location Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School Salary Range $48,269.00 - $67,104.00 / Per Year Shift Type Full-Time