Reading Specialist - Middle/Elementary School

Reading Specialist - Middle/Elementary School

The Wachusett Regional School District encourages all candidates who are committed to enriching the lives of our student population to apply.

Our core values are: Collaboration, Empathy, Inclusivity, Integrity, Perseverance, and Responsibility.

Our mission: To ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and respectful educational community in which we: Foster a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment. Provide all students with equitable opportunities for deep and meaningful learning through multiple pathways. Empower all students to develop and apply their unique strengths, passions, and curiosities. Partner with our community to meet our goals while optimizing the effective and efficient use of our resources.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Reading Specialist to join our educational team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in literacy instruction, a passion for helping middle and elementary school students improve their reading skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with teachers and staff. The Reading Specialist will work with students who require specialized support in reading, implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance their reading proficiency and comprehension.

Pay: WREA Salary Schedule - pending ratification of 2026/2027 WREA contract

Location: Houghton/Chocksett Schools

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Education, Reading Specialist Certification, or a related field
• Certification: Valid teaching certification.
• Experience: Proven experience in teaching and/or providing reading intervention at the middle and elementary school level.
• Skills: Strong understanding of literacy development and evidence-based reading instruction. Knowledge of assessment tools and strategies to identify reading difficulties. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations. Dedication to staying current with research and best practices in literacy education.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assessment and Evaluation: Conduct assessments to identify students' reading strengths and weaknesses. Develop individualized reading plans based on assessment results.
• Individual and Small-Group Instruction: Provide targeted reading interventions to students, both one-on-one and in small groups, to address specific reading challenges and improve reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.
• Curriculum Development: Collaborate with teachers to integrate literacy skills into the school curriculum. Create and adapt instructional materials to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Progress Monitoring: Regularly assess and track students' progress in reading interventions. Adjust instruction and interventions as needed to ensure continuous improvement.
• Professional Development: Stay current with best practices in reading instruction and literacy research. Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues through workshops and professional development sessions.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with teachers, special education staff, and administrators to develop and implement strategies to support struggling readers across various subjects.
• Data Analysis: Analyze student data and assessment results to inform instructional decisions and program improvement.
• Parent and Community Engagement: Communicate with parents and guardians to provide updates on student progress and offer guidance on how to support reading development at home.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in a classroom setting and adapt to a dynamic school environment.
• Occasional lifting of instructional materials, setting up classroom activities, and moving throughout the school building.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks as required by Massachusetts state law and School Committee policies.

The Wachusett Regional School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other class protected by law.