MIDDLESEX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Position: Middle School Reading Specialist

Position Summary: 

Performs intermediate professional work providing teaching and/or training services to students in general instruction or in a specialized subject or assigned group of subjects, motivating students to develop skills in assigned subject matters, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Division Literacy Specialist. Limited supervision is exercised over Paraprofessionals.

Job Type: Full-time

Contract: 10 Month

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Minimum Qualifications: 

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.

Essential Functions: 

• Provides specialized instruction to 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students who have been identified to receive additional support in the area of reading.
• Works with multiple grade levels with multiple groups of students to identify the student’s needs.
• Coordinates the School's reading program across disciplines.
• Assists administrators and teachers at the assigned school in the implementation of a comprehensive literacy program.
• 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 the classroom and workshop settings.
• Observes literacy lessons and provides feedback to teachers to improve literacy instruction at the school, including planning for ongoing support.
• Interprets the abilities and disabilities of students and works cooperatively with classroom teachers who have these students in classes.
• Assists with screening, evaluation, 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 the construction and selection of literacy assessments.
• Selects, requisitions, and maintains books, instructional materials, and instructional aids.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Thorough knowledge of the subject(s) taught; thorough knowledge of primary, elementary, middle, high school or special education principles, practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching; thorough knowledge of school system rules, regulations and procedures; ability to deliver articulate oral presentations and written reports; skill in the use of personal computers and related software packages, hardware and peripheral equipment; ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, students and parents.

Education and Experience: 

1. Master's Degree and be eligible for a Virginia Teaching License with an endorsement as a reading specialist
2. Must have completed at least three years of successful teaching experience.
3. Must possess effective instructional delivery techniques and excellent communication skills.
4. Must possess knowledge of the needs of students requiring remedial reading instruction and must possess an in-depth knowledge of instructional best practices and adult learning theory.
5. Strong knowledge base in the science of reading, structured literacy, and reading research.

Physical Requirements: 

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires walking and occasionally requires sitting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, depth perception and peripheral vision; 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; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, playground, classroom, light traffic).

Supervision Exercised: Division Literacy Specialist