Reading Specialist

Reading Specialist
Noble Academy, District 4171
 
 
 
GENERAL PURPOSE:
To support a learning environment that is Multicultural/Gender/Ability Fair, is favorable to learning and growth, and is based on a commitment that all children can learn, by developing students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, foster communication skills, develop an understanding and appreciation of literature, motivate students to read a wide variety of publications, comprehend the reading materials, and to promote the development of skills in grammar and syntax.
 
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A valid Minnesota teaching license, certificate, or other legal credentials required for level of assignment (K-6 License or certified as a reading specialist preferred)
• Prior successful experience in urban, multicultural education is desirable
• Demonstrates continued professional development through course work, research, peer collaboration, and/or job-embedded staff development.
• Working knowledge of the subject matter, classroom management techniques, current researched best practices and strategies, and as well as students’ learning styles and needs, both academic and affective
• Data driven

 
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acquires knowledge of the school’s academic programs and expectations/goals; works to support and achieve those goals

• Teaches students the required curricula using strategies that foster thinking, reasoning and problem solving
• Collaborates and communicates regularly with families in making educational decisions and uses family and community resources to support learning
• Facilitates positive interactions between students and teacher, student and peers, and student and other adults
• Models learning and behaviors consistent with the expectations for students
• Assesses own instructional effectiveness through the Professional Development Process (PDP)
• Participates in ongoing and regular staff, team and individual professional development
• Collaborates with peers to develop, plan and implement best practices based on the needs/abilities of the students
• Participates in site-based management and shared decision-making
• Always keeps the students’ needs and rights first and foremost in any educational decision-making
• Demonstrates competence in the school’s standards of effective instruction
• Has a working knowledge of and implements the Minnesota State Standards
• Participates in all school/family events beyond the school day
• Develops guidelines for safety and the school day classroom behavior; ensures students follow them
• Participates in all staff development as scheduled
• Maintains consistencies in instructional programs and other academic decisions made by shared leadership of the staff and the senior administration
• Follows other duties as assigned by the senior administration      
• Develops and administers Language Arts curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences to develop pertinent sequential assignments, challenge students, and best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Teaches knowledge and skills in English grammar and syntax, sentence and paragraph structure, vocabulary and proper word usage, word denotations and connotations, creative writing, independent thinking, communication and speaking.
• Develops standards for critical analysis through group discussions on a variety of reading materials, including the mass media and literature.
• Works with students and others to prepare materials for inclusion in literary publications, contests, etc.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning and progress, and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student’s needs, including students with special needs; conducts individual and small group instruction as needed.
• Maintains familiarity with district and State standardized tests for the purpose of adapting curriculum to maximize student achievement on such tests.
• Encourages parental involvement in students’ education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
• Ensures that student conduct conforms to the school’s standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional
• Selects and requisitions appropriate books, instructional aids and other supplies and equipment and maintains inventory records.

 
 
 
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Assists the senior administration with marketing the school through the use of banners, flyers, brochures, signs, fundraising events, etc. as needed
• Ability and willingness to keep records and office space organized and easily accessible
• Considerable ability to follow through in a timely manner
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to perform classroom management skills, practices and relationship building
• Considerable skills in teaching others to safely operate office machines and equipment
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to members of the public, the community, the staff, the students, and the administration
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with a variety of personality types and dispositions in numerous circumstances while maintaining a controlled, tactful, respectful, professional manner
• Excellent team player skills with positive attitude
• Ability to maintain a calm presence in an emergency
• Ability to think clearly in any situation, determine priorities, and handle multiple tasks
• Ability to make appropriate decisions quickly
• Willingness to show initiative in problem solving and team goal achievements
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge of English grammar, word usage, word denotations and connotations, spelling, literature and other content areas taught.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.

 
 
Please note that all employees are expected to understand their role as stated herein and understand that this list is not inclusive. All staff must follow through with responsibilities knowing that sometimes they will have to perform tasks assigned by the senior administration that are not part of their job descriptions. Responsibilities are subject to change with or without notice.
Noble Academy is an equal opportunity employer.  Employment consideration is made without regard to race, color, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability marital or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected statuses.