Reading Specialist - Elementary

Union Public Schools; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retention stipend

Job summary

Union Public Schools in Tulsa County seeks a Reading Specialist to provide direct literacy instruction and lead literacy initiatives across schools. The role combines classroom instruction with coaching teachers in best practices for literacy.

The position requires a Master’s degree, three years of teaching experience, and a Oklahoma Reading Specialist certification, with a valid teaching certificate in Oklahoma. It offers competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree and a minimum of three years teaching experience.
• Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood or Elementary and Reading Specialist certification.
• Knowledge of state and classroom assessments.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct instruction in reading and writing for identified groups and individuals.
• Models and coaches instructional methods in whole and small groups with follow-up support.
• Collaborates with the site child study team to plan instruction using assessment data.
• Provides ongoing training on assessment tools and best practices.
• Participates in collaborative instructional planning and analyzes literacy data.
• Assesses students to determine placement and instructional needs.
• Conducts classroom visitations and gives feedback on the literacy program.
• Maintains organized storage and circulation of reading/writing materials.
• Maintains comprehensive inventory of instructional resources.

Skills

Reading instruction

Literacy leadership

Coaching

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree

Oklahoma Teaching Certificate - Early Childhood or Elementary

Reading Specialist certification

Job description

Company Description Union Public Schools, Independent District #9 in Tulsa County, is a premier Oklahoma school district focused on student success from early childhood through college and career readiness. The district emphasizes collaboration with the motto “Together, We Make a Difference,” and offers community-centered schools and diverse pathways for individual achievement. Union Public Schools provides highly competitive compensation, including one of the highest base salaries in the Tulsa metro and a generous retention stipend, contingent on Board approval. Employees receive fully paid health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with self-insured plans that keep family premiums significantly lower than state options and access to near-site clinics with $0 co-pays. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply online early at www.unionps.org/careers so administrators can easily review their applications.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the principal, the responsibilities of the position fall into two categories. As a teacher, the reading specialist is responsible for providing direct instruction to students, individually or in small groups, to enable students to develop literacy skills. As a literacy leader, the position is responsible for implementing a comprehensive literacy program at the assigned school through coaching, supporting, and guiding teachers in best practices for literacy instruction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides direct instruction in the areas of reading and writing for identified groups and individual students.
• Models and coaches instructional methods in a variety of settings (whole group and small group) and provide follow-up support.
• Collaborates with members of the site child study team on the use of assessment data to plan instruction; analyze school literacy data and plan for future literacy needs.
• Provides ongoing training and follow-up in the use of assessment tools.
• Participates in collaborative instructional planning.
• Assesses students using a variety of measures to determine appropriate placement and specific instructional needs.
• Conducts classroom visitations and provides feedback to teachers and administrators on the school’s literacy program.
• Maintains an organized system and accessible locations for the storage and circulation of reading and writing materials.
• Maintains a comprehensive inventory of instructional materials and resources.
• Assists with the planning of parent workshops and informational sessions involving the language arts program.
• Participates in parent conferences and provides instructional suggestions specifically including student literacy plans.
• Aligns instruction with content standards and objectives.
• Provides program-based interventions according to the district’s MTSS Academic Guide.
• Works well with both supervisors and other members of the team.
• Maintains consistent and punctual attendance.
• Performs other duties assigned by supervisor or administrator.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s Degree required with a minimum of three years teaching experience. Demonstrated teacher leadership at the district and site level. Knowledge of state, district and classroom-based assessments.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood or Elementary and a Reading Specialist certification.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, correspondence and manuals. Ability to speak effectively before administration, staff, parents and staff. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to analyze and interpret statistical data to communicate clearly to teachers. Ability to apply inferences from statistical data to classroom practices.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written and oral instructions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day and location. Job responsibilities may include both inside and outside duties.