Reading Specialist

The management services offered to our family of charter schools, allows us to collectively become a change agent and national leader in urban education as evidenced by student awareness of self, high academic achievement, positive school culture and community transformation wherever we serve. 

Location: Universal Creighton Charter School, 5401 Tabor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19120 (Northeast Philadelphia)

Essential Functions

The Reading Specialist provides leadership, coordination, collaboration, and innovation in reading curriculum and instruction, so that each student may drive maximum benefit from the 6-8 middle school reading curriculum.

Performance Responsibilities: 

Advisory 

• Observes disabled readers in the classroom, upon teacher’s request. 
• Assists classroom teachers in the diagnosis of students and collaborates in planning the instructional strategies.
• Assists in the selection of appropriate materials utilized by the classroom teacher for corrective measures. 
• Provides demonstrations of new methods and materials (i.e. team teaching).

Developmental Reading

• Develops and implements a remediation plan for students who have third grade comprehension test results identified as basic or minimal. 
• Utilizes the Reading Recovery method of intervention and instruction for primary students, particularly in grade one. 
• Is responsible for maintaining the literature collection. 
• Plans and conducts periodic evaluations to assess the need for changes in the reading program. 

Curriculum

• Plans and develops special reading projects as approved or provided. 
• Serves as a resource to the board and administration in areas of reading instruction and curriculum. 
• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of the 6-8 reading program. Ensures that reading is a component of the K-8 Language Arts.

Remediation 

• Assesses the reading referrals of parents/guardians, teachers, and support staff. 
• Provide remedial instructional needs of students K-8 through collaboration with staff, occasional small group instruction and staff development in content area reading strategies.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher degree with major in assigned area.
• A valid reading specialist certificate. 
• A minimum of three years teaching experience. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing education/continuing professional development.
• Experience in supporting teachers. 
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success in reading.
• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to help students reach a level of academic excellence. 
• Model positive and healthy character traits and habits, such as being organized, consistent and understanding. 
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the Universal’s mission and willingness to serve the Universal community. 

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the building sub is regularly required to:

• Speak, stand, talk, walk, see, hear and, sometimes, to sit. 
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to read small print. 
• Frequently bend, reach above the head, as well as forward, and use fine motor skills.

Salary

Minimum starting salary of $55,000. Placement above the minimum will be adjusted based on relevant experience, credentials, and demonstrated expertise. 

The Universal Family of Charter Schools adheres to the policy of providing equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation.