ELA & Reading Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Wild Things Learning Center is seeking a passionate, engaging, and student-centered ELA & Reading Specialist to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year. This position is ideal for an educator who believes learning should be meaningful, hands-on, and individualized — not one-size-fits-all. The ideal candidate is someone who can capture students’ interest, spark curiosity, and help students become excellent readers, confident communicators, and lifelong learners.

Position Overview

The ELA & Reading Specialist will support students in grades K–8 through:

• Early literacy and phonics instruction
• Small group and individualized reading intervention
• Writing support and ELA enrichment
• Novel studies and literature discussions
• Charter-aligned work sample support
• Building strong reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills

We are specifically looking for someone with a strong understanding of phonics and early reading development — someone who knows how to teach littles how to read with patience, structure, and enthusiasm. We also want an educator experienced with upper elementary and middle school students who can inspire deeper thinking, discussion, writing, and a genuine love of books and language.

Most importantly, we want someone who is passionate about working with children and has the ability to connect with students at all levels academically, socially, and emotionally. The ideal candidate understands that relationships come first and knows how to make students feel seen, encouraged, capable, and excited to learn.

Responsibilities

• Teach and support ELA and reading instruction for multi-age learning pods
• Assess student reading levels and provide targeted intervention/support
• Lead engaging phonics lessons, reading groups, writing workshops, and literacy activities
• Support students in phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and writing structure
• Foster a strong culture of reading and language appreciation
• Build positive relationships with students and create a safe, encouraging learning environment
• Help create and organize charter-aligned work samples
• Incorporate hands-on, movement-based, and outdoor learning opportunities into academics
• Collaborate with staff and families regarding student progress
• Maintain organization of curriculum materials and student records
• Encourage confidence, creativity, communication, and independent learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching reading and/or ELA in elementary or middle school
• Strong knowledge of:
• • Phonics and foundational reading instruction
  • Reading intervention strategies
  • Writing development and grammar instruction
  • Literature and novel studies
• Experience helping struggling readers grow into confident readers
• Familiarity with curriculum such as:
• • Explode the Code
  • Novel Studies
  • Handwriting Without Tears
• Experience working with homeschool or charter school students is a plus
• Ability to work with mixed-age groups and differentiated learning levels
• Positive, flexible, team-oriented mindset
• Passion for alternative education and child development

Wild Things is redefining education in the Central Valley by offering a better way to learn—one that works for students and their families. As an approved curriculum vendor, we offer customized academic programs, enrichment classes, and experiential field trips. Our themed campuses and hands-on learning model inspire curiosity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love of learning.

Company Description

Wild Things is redefining education in the Central Valley by offering a better way to learn—one that works for students and their families. As an approved curriculum vendor, we offer customized academic programs, enrichment classes, and experiential field trips. Our themed campuses and hands-on learning model inspire curiosity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love of learning.