Elementary Reading Specialist
The Elementary Reading Specialist plays a key leadership role in promoting literacy achievement through the design, implementation, and support of high-quality reading and writing instruction. This role includes providing targeted interventions for students, collaborating with teachers, and supporting the development of a coherent literacy framework aligned with evidence-based practices.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates deep knowledge of the components of a structured, integrated, and comprehensive literacy program, including foundational skills, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.
- Applies a conceptual framework for literacy development grounded in the science of reading and developmental stages of reading and writing.
- Leads implementation of evidence-based instructional practices, aligned with state standards and research in literacy instruction.
- Supports the use of structured literacy approaches for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
- Administers reading screenings and diagnostics; generates written reports based upon assessment results.
- Utilizes a variety of formative and summative assessment tools to diagnose and monitor student literacy progress.
- Analyzes school-wide literacy data to identify trends, guide instructional decisions, and monitor effectiveness of interventions.
- Collaborates with grade-level teams and leadership to develop and refine intervention plans based on multiple data sources.
- Provides targeted, evidence-based reading interventions for students in need of additional support.
- Collaborates with interventionists, special educators, and general education teachers to ensure alignment of supports across tiers.
- Assists with documentation and monitoring for students referred for additional support.
- Serves as a support to classroom teachers, facilitating reflection and growth in instructional practice.
- Provides job-embedded professional development related to literacy instruction, intervention strategies, differentiated instruction, and the use of formative assessment.
- Supports co-planning, facilitation of and participation in Professional Learning Communities focused on student literacy outcomes.
- Facilitates professional book studies and inquiry cycles to promote continuous learning and shared knowledge among staff.
- Organizes and facilitates literacy-focused family events to strengthen school-home partnerships.
- Communicates regularly with families regarding student progress in reading and strategies to support literacy development at home.
- Provides resources and guidance to families to support reading at home across developmental stages.
- Collaborates with the school's reading team, instructional leadership team, and district-level personnel to align literacy initiatives with school improvement goals.
- Assists in the selection, organization, and use of instructional materials and resources for literacy instruction and intervention.
- Contributes to the development of a coherent, vertically aligned literacy curriculum across grade levels.
- Works closely with instructional coaches and reading team to plan and monitor the school improvement process.