Long-Term Substitute for Reading Specialist

Upland Country Day School seeks a part-time long-term substitute to serve in the position of Lower School Reading Specialist.

Position beginning and end dates: March 2023 - June  2023

The role of the Reading Specialist is to support students (grades K-5) by providing tiered fluency intervention and remediation; to support teachers in their efforts to advance student literacy through the Bookworms Reading Program; to work with parents and outside professionals in order to better support students. Each student guided by the Reading Specialist is expected to achieve at a high academic and personal level according to his/her potential. The Reading Specialist reports directly to the Head of the Lower School.

Examples Of Duties

Leadership

*  Guides, plans, directs, and models research-based instruction across the district curriculum and content areas.

*  Works with the school's instructional team to identify curricular needs in reading.

*  Facilitates and supports ongoing data team meetings to analyze progress monitoring and benchmark data and make recommendations for student instruction and interventions.

*  Works collaboratively with administration to develop, implement and coordinate a comprehensive intervention program.

*  Serves as a resource for administrators, classroom teachers, parents, and students to improve literacy.

*  Disseminates information and materials on current research related to educational trends to the faculty and community.

*  Provides assistance, as requested, by participating in parent conferences, answering parent concerns, and recommending enrichment activities to parents and teachers.

*  Maintains a professional knowledge of successful reading research-based practices. Remains active in education associations related to reading/language arts to include participation in conferences, workshops, reading specialist meetings and other staff development opportunities.

Instruction

*  Analyzes assessment data to identify students’ strengths and needs.

*  Designs and/or recommends appropriate tiered interventions for students.

*  Provides research-based supplemental and intervention reading instruction/programs to students who are experiencing difficulty with reading.

*  Plans and collaborates with classroom teachers, special area teachers, and grade level teams to align instruction for students and assist teachers in implementing best practices.

*  Models and demonstrates lessons with classroom teachers to improve students’ academic performance.

*  Assists teachers and administrators in adapting reading/language arts curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse student population.

Assessment

*  Coordinates and administers reading assessments used to monitor student progress and identify individual student needs.

*  Administers individual diagnostic assessments to determine the strengths and needs of students

*  Shares assessment information with classroom teachers, parents, and specialized personnel such as psychologists, special educators, guidance counselors or speech language pathologists in order to provide an effective academic program for students.

*  Analyzes data and assists teachers in analyzing data from reading assessments (e.g., screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic, outcomes) to identify strategies and make recommendations to meet the needs of individual students.

Minimum Qualifications

Reading Specialist Certification from an accredited University.  Master’s degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of pedagogy. Knowledge of current research-based instructional practices in reading/language arts. Knowledge of and skill in reading assessment and diagnostic-prescriptive teaching in reading.
Knowledge of and skill in the use of database, internet, spreadsheet, word processing, and related applications.  Successful experience developing and supporting curriculum implementation.  Training and experience in delivering components of structured literacy. Proficiency in planning and delivering instruction aligned to best practices in delivering instruction to students with a range of reading needs.
Strong human relations skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Strong organization and communication skills.
Ability to appropriately maintain confidential information.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement:

It is the policy and commitment of Upland Country Day School that it does not discriminate based on race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability or religion.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Upland County Day School is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability or religion or otherwise as may be prohibited by federal and state law. Any employee, board member, volunteer or client who believes that s/he or any other affiliate of Upland Country Day School has been discriminated against, is strongly encouraged to report this concern promptly to the Head of School.

Discriminatory Harassment:

Harassment or intimidation of a staff member because of that person’s race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability or religion is specifically prohibited and may be grounds for termination. Harassment and intimidation include abusive, foul or threatening language or behavior. Upland County Day School is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of any such harassment and will not tolerate discrimination against staff members, volunteers or agency clients. Issues of discriminatory treatment, harassment, or intimidation on any of these bases should be immediately reported to the Head of School or immediate supervisor and, if substantiated, prompt action will be taken.

03/23