Reading Specialist / Special Education

Required Certification(s):  NJ Certificate of Reading Specialist
Reports to:  Principal, Executive Director
Summary
The reading specialist supports, supplements and extends classroom teaching and works collaboratively to implement a quality reading program that is research-based, data driven and meets the individual needs of students.
 
Primary Function: Instructs assigned pupils in accordance with curriculum adopted by The Center School.
Major Duties and Performance Responsibilities (not exhaustive)
Content Area

• Assess students’ skills to determine their needs and to develop teaching plans.
• Adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.
• Teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one.
• Teach small groups of students in specific skills to help them improve their reading ability.
• Work with the classroom teacher to co-teach struggling readers.
• Consult with teachers to see how to best meet the needs of struggling readers.
• Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Assign and grade class work and homework within the reading program.
• Demonstrates competence in subject field(s) assigned.

 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Implements the school’s goals, objectives, and policies, and the state's goals and requirements.
• Implements personal, building, and department goals.
• Instructs students as outlined in the school approved curriculum.
• Creates lessons and instructional opportunities taking into consideration the planning process, classroom environment, and instructional needs of the students.
• Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, collect data, interpret results, and determine students’ strengths and areas of needs.
• Create and administer performance-based assessments in order to evaluate students’ learning progress and use data to drive instruction.
• Recommends to the immediate supervisor updates to or changes in policies and/or procedures relating to the implementation of the educational program in the school.
• Creates a positive image of the school and promotes the best learning and teaching climate possible.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity, interests, and special needs of students.
• Employs instructional methods and materials that are most appropriate for meeting stated objectives.
• Monitors administration of assessments to ensure that students are following procedures as outlined as well as maintaining security and confidentiality for all assessments.
• Prepares for classes assigned and develops lesson plans related to established curriculum and IEP goals and objectives.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.

 Professional Development

• Utilizes the school approved evaluation process for self-reflection and personal growth.
• Attends school-sponsored professional development opportunities.
• Seeks professional development opportunities outside of the school district for areas of professional interest or need.
• Attends all mandated school-wide ½ day professional development days.

 School-wide/Building Procedures

• Follows policy and procedures related to school safety practices.
• Follows policies and procedures as outlined in the Center School staff policy manual.
• Conducts extra help sessions as needed.
• Implements guidelines and procedures as outlined for school trips and other functions off school grounds.
• Attends special events held to recognize student achievement, and school-sponsored activities, functions, and events connected to the position.
• Perform student supervision duties such as, but not limited to, assisting in hall duty, cafeteria monitoring, recess monitoring, bus arrival and dismissal procedures.
• Plan, attend, supervise class projects, field trips, guest speaker visits, and other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
• Establishes and maintains, with the support of administrators, standards of pupil behavior appropriate to school code of conduct and Center School student policy manual.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by state laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Ability to verbally and physically de-escalate acting out students using approved CPI training methods.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials in order to prevent injuries and damage.

 Special Education:

• Demonstrates competence in special education and the academic subject field(s) assigned.
• Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance and growth, and track progress.
• Provides instruction to classified pupils in accordance with each pupil's individualized education program.
• Employs instructional methods and materials that are most appropriate for meeting stated teaching objectives, and student individual education plan (IEP) objectives.
• Provides activities and experiences to meet the needs, interests and abilities of students.
• Assesses the academic and behavioral status of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports, PLAAFPs, and report card grades as required per scheduled dates and timetables established by the school and in student individual education plans.
• Attends IEP meetings.
• Assists in developing Individualized Education Program (IEPs) and updating IEPs for students.
• Create and adapts lesson plans to address students’ learning needs and abilities as identified in IEPs and assessment measures of growth and proficiency.
• Discuss student’s progress with parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Communication

• Maintains parent/guardian communication in accordance with school policy and building protocol.
• Attends staff meetings at the department, school, and administrative levels.
• Works closely with administrators and counseling department staff regarding student scheduling problems, changes, and student progress.
• Meets and collaborates with curriculum coordinators.
• Meets with other staff to discuss students’ needs and progress.
• Confer with parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, support staff, and administrators to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems or challenges.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to achieve student IEP goals and objectives.
• Serves on committees as required.

 Other Duties

• Maintains confidentiality in all areas of the assignment.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the administration of the school.

 Physical Requirements

• Intermittent standing and sitting 6-7 hours daily
• Escorting students to and from various classroom settings, which requires climbing stairs
• Accompany students on playground and field trips, which may require elevated physical activity and/or riding a bus

  
Environment Requirements
Teachers work in climate-controlled, indoor environments, however, there are several circumstances in which a teacher might work outdoors or outside of the school grounds. Field trips require teachers to supervise students on buses, in addition to the trip destination.
 
Resource Requirements

• Ability to work on a desktop personal computer or laptop, as required, for the purpose of recording grades, creating lesson plans and communicating with colleagues, supervisors and parents. 
• Knowledge of computers, mobile/tablet devices, gaming consoles and their applications, as they pertain to students and their daily use, for the purpose of coordinating those devices with instructional learning.

 
Social Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively and respectably, both verbally and non-verbally
• Ability to develop trusting relationships with students, parents, colleagues and supervisors

Additional Requirements

• Proof of US Citizenship or legal resident alien status
• Evidence that a criminal history check has been conducted and clearance has been given by the Department of Education
• Evidence that health is adequate to fulfill the job functions and responsibilities, with reasonable accommodations
• Pass the state required Mantoux Intradermal Tuberculin Test

 
Nothing in this job description restricts administrations right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
 
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Center School believes that equal opportunity for all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization.  Accordingly, this nonprofit will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status or non-job related factors in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.  Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and the requirements of the job.
 
It is the policy of the Center School to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, religion, creed, age, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, military status, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test to an employer, or any other legally protected classification under federal, state, or local law.  Our equal employment opportunity philosophy applies in all personnel actions including recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, job benefits, pay, performance evaluation, discipline, and dismissal.