POSITION: Reading Specialist

REPORTS TO: Chief Academic Officer


MISSION: The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's: Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities.

The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District's vision and mission.

C.O.R.E.:
C- Children First: The well being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions.
O- One Chester Upland: With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland.
R- Reimagining: Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all.
E- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence: We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.

To provide direct support to students, leadership, coordination, collaboration, and innovation in reading curriculum and instruction, so that all K-12 students demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge and application of appropriate teaching strategies and
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school
• Knowledge of the needs of students requiring remedial reading instruction.
• Thorough understanding of the teaching and learning process
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education
• Ability to infuse technology into curriculum
• Ability to guide and train teachers in effective 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 instruction to meet the needs of the student(s)
• Excellent organizational, communication, and human relations skills.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Teach targeted literacy intervention to small groups of students' daily using research-based intervention curriculum and resources.
• Review student achievement and assist with placing students in appropriate reading and writing intervention and support services.
• Maintain daily log with work related reports and artifacts as directed

• Provide leadership, coordination, collaboration, data analysis and innovation in reading curriculum and instruction, so that each student may drive maximum benefit from the K-8 reading curriculum.
• Plans and develops special reading projects as approved or provided by Assistant Superintendent.
• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of the K-8 reading program.
• Ensures that reading is a component of the K-8 Language Arts.
• Responsible for maintaining the literature collection.
• Assists in the selection of appropriate materials utilized by the classroom teacher for corrective measures.
• Provides demonstrations of new methods and materials.

• Assist students using software and materials related to literacy programs.
• Meet periodically with the classroom teacher to plan literacy instruction that correlates with the individual student's needs or as requested by the classroom teacher.
• Assist with development of professional development to enhance knowledge of pedagogy and content, especially literacy.
• Maintain and submit accurate and up-to-date management records of all students' progress.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to literacy as assigned by Assistant Superintendent.

• Set student goals and instructional outcomes, based on specific student assessments in reading.
• Use assessments to diagnose reading strengths and weaknesses, and match these skills with appropriate techniques

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, pushing, and pulling.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's Degree/Master's preferred or higher degree with major in assigned area.
• A valid reading specialist certificate.
• Elementary and secondary teaching experience preferred.
• A minimum of five years teaching experience preferred.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing education/continuing professional development
• Preferred experience in an urban school setting

• The following are required:
• PA Criminal clearances
• PA Child Abuse clearances
• FBI clearances
• Physical including TB Test
• Proof of U. S. citizenship or legal resident alien status

UNION AFFILIATION: Chester Upland Education Association

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• Receipt of a completed application, resume and cover letter
• A minimum of three current written letters of reference from previous or current directors, principal, and supervisors
• Personal interview(s)

The information in this job description is for compliance with the Chester Upland School District Board Policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications for the position. The incumbent may perform or be assigned other duties.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CUSD ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at 610-447-5886.