Job Summary

The Reading Specialist supports early literacy development for students in kindergarten through second grade by providing targeted instruction, intervention, and assessment. This role focuses on building foundational reading skills, supporting classroom teachers, and helping ensure all students meet grade-level literacy benchmarks.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide small-group and individualized reading instruction based on student needs
• Assess student literacy skills using formal and informal tools
• Develop and implement targeted intervention plans for struggling readers
• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to align literacy instruction and strategies
• Support implementation of evidence-based reading practices and curriculum
• Communicate student progress with teachers, administrators, and families
• Maintain accurate records of assessments, interventions, and outcomes
• Participate in Response to Intervention (RTI) or Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) processes
• Model effective literacy instruction and provide coaching to teachers when needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field
• Valid teaching license
• Strong knowledge of foundational reading skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension)
• Ability to assess student literacy and use data to guide instruction
• Ability to provide differentiated instruction for diverse learners
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• Organizational and time-management skills
• Knowledge of evidence-based reading practices and structured literacy

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education or a related field
• Reading endorsement or certification (may be required in some districts, but generally preferred)
• Experience teaching early elementary students (Kindergarten–2nd grade)
• Experience with RTI (Response to Intervention) or MTSS frameworks
• Experience coaching or supporting classroom teachers

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the school day
• Frequent movement between classrooms and instructional spaces
• Ability to work with students at floor level (sitting, kneeling, or crouching)
• Occasional bending, reaching, and lifting (e.g., books, instructional materials, up to ~20 lbs)
• Ability to use a computer and other instructional technology for extended periods
• Clear verbal communication for instruction and collaboration with students and staff
• Visual ability to read student work, assessment data, and instructional materials

Working Conditions

• School-based environment with regular interaction with students, teachers, administrators, and families
• Fast-paced setting with multiple responsibilities and shifting priorities throughout the day
• Regularly scheduled school hours with occasional need for flexibility to support intervention blocks, meetings, or family communication
• Frequent collaboration in team settings, including grade-level meetings and RTI/MTSS processes
• Exposure to typical classroom noise levels and activity
• Use of instructional technology and data systems for assessment, progress monitoring, and communication
• May work with students who require additional academic, behavioral, or emotional support

EEO Disclaimer
Findlay City Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information (collectively, "Protected Classes"). The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.