Are you a reading specialist looking for a new job but struggling to write a good resume for your application? Do you know what you need to beat other applicants? We might just have the answers you are looking for. We will take an in-depth look at this job to help you understand what you need.
Our article covers reading specialists’ roles and responsibilities as well as the academic, skills, and experience requirements. We also have two resume examples and a detailed FAQ section to help you pen the best resume for your job application. Let’s get right into it!
Reading Specialist Job Description
Reading specialists are licensed professionals that work in K-12 schools to help students in all aspects of literacy. They mostly work as tutors, coordinators, literacy specialists, and reading interventionists, but their main job remains supporting the development of reading and writing skills among students. These professionals are vital to student success, which explains why their services are welcome in several institutions.
Succeeding as a reading specialist requires excellent leadership, assessment, and lesson-planning skills. Other requirements include classroom management, group learning, behavior analysis, staff development, literacy coordination, and reading skills. It is also imperative to have excellent coaching and planning skills.
Reading Specialist Roles and Responsibilities
- Working closely with struggling children to help them improve their literacy skills
- Participating in the successful coordination and facilitation of the institution’s literacy program
- Facilitating literacy growth by developing instruction improvement strategies
- Offering support to other teachers and staff members in supporting the learning of students
- Planning literacy instruction in collaboration with other classroom teachers
- Ensuring that all lesson plans correlate with the individual needs of students
- Evaluating targeted inventions and student performance through individual and school-wide assessment
- Measuring the success of literacy instructions and programs through well-gathered and examined data
- Arranging students in small groups and teaching them targeted literacy intervention daily
- Using research-based resources and strategies to help students improve their literacy skills
- Promoting the learning and implementation of literacy instruction best practices
- Ensuring that all students have access to high-quality reading instructions
- Carrying out periodical literacy assessments to diagnose students with learning/ cognitive abilities
- Organizing one-on-one reading activities with students
- Evaluating students’ reading strengths and weaknesses to advise general education teachers properly
- Planning impressive reading rewards and content to promote literacy education in the school
- Regularly consulting with different specialists and staff members such as special educators, speech-language pathologists, librarians, special educators, and school psychologists
- Selecting the best instructional materials that can meet student needs
- Supporting the school’s curriculum by identifying the right literature to use in different content areas
- Performing an in-depth analysis of the school’s literacy data and anticipating future literacy needs
- Regularly reporting to the school’s senior management on the institution’s literacy program
- Facilitating the proper storage and circulation of literacy education materials, i.e., reading and writing materials
- Facilitating parent workshops and informational sessions
- Performing any other assigned duties
Reading Specialist Required Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent classroom management skills
- Ability to work with small groups
- Excellent lesson-planning skills
- Ability to create and edit PowerPoint presentations
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent professional development skills
- Understanding of social learning techniques
- Excellent collaboration skills
- Ability to create and maintain a safe and flexible learning environment
- Excellent curriculum development skills
- Ability to offer one-on-one tutoring
- Ability to create, maintain and update a comprehensive inventory of instructional materials and resources
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Exceptional instructional delivery skills
- Ability to create, maintain and file student records
- Ability to design, plan and evaluate individualized lessons
- Excellent data collection and assessment skills
- Excellent grading skills
- Exceptional classroom monitoring skills
- High levels of patience and motivation
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- High levels of compassion
- Ability to work for longer hours
- Excellent language skills
Reading Specialist Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in education, literacy studies, or any related field
- Master’s or a higher degree in approved reading
- Prior teaching experience
- Completion of a reading specialist program
- Relevant state certification for a teaching endorsement
- Professional state teaching license
- Experience working in team settings
- Experience working under pressure
Reading Specialist Salary
Reading specialists make $57,000+ yearly, according to Glassdoor- a value that is bound to change depending on the job designation and workplace. Head reading specialists definitely make more, with some reporting salaries of $80,000+ annually. Those paid hourly mostly make $25- $30, depending on the workplace.
Reading Specialist CV Example 1
Michael Smith
Physical address: 98 Oak Grove Avenue #105, Menlo Park, CA, 92065
Email address: smithmichael65@gmail.com
Phone number: (913) 780- 9054
Personal Profile
Reading specialist with exceptional classroom management and lesson planning skills ready to collaborate with educators to successfully implement the school’s literacy programs. Certified educator with 10+ years of experience helping students improve their literacy skills. Resourceful team member with exceptional verbal and communication skills willing to go the extra mile for overall performance improvement in institutions.
Work Experience
06/2019- 10/2022, Literacy Instructional Coach, Jones & Irvan Group of Schools, San Diego, CA
- Spearheaded the strategic creation and implementation of instructional plans to improve students’ literacy skills in collaboration with 30+ teachers and 5 administrators
- Used 21st-century learning methods and techniques to support and deliver literacy guidance within the facility
- Identified students’ needs through continuous monitoring, tracking, and analysis of students’ performance data
- Monitored and observed literacy teachers and reading specialists to ensure excellent instructional planning, data usage, and teaching practice
- Planned and implemented professional development opportunities based on student performance indicator analyses
- Regularly coached instructional staff to ensure excellent instructional delivery within the classroom
- Attended and participated in regular workshops and conferences for personal development and to mentor other literacy experts within the district
- Prepared detailed and 100% accurate federal, state, and district reports and submitted them to the right offices
05/2016- 04/2019, Reading Specialist, High Flyers Schools, Miami, FL
- Participated in a 15-member literacy team mandated to develop, implement and evaluate reading programs in 20 educational centers under the Achievers Group of Schools Franchise
- Supported 5 classroom teachers per center to implement the reading and language curriculum mandated by the county’s educational board
- Regularly coached 3rd- 8th-grade teachers on reading programs implementation and library management
- Regularly communicated and collaborated with teachers and teacher aides to strategically plan for inventions based on collected and verified data
- Participated in the daily systematic and strategic planning of reading events to meet the needs of all stakeholders
- Collaborated with other literacy experts to evaluate the student’s learning styles and make improvements
- Identified struggling readers and initiated an effective reading screening & support initiative
03/2013- 04/2016, Reading Support Teacher, Redview Schools, Morgantown, WV
- Identified the reading needs of 100+ students annually through formal and informal plans before creating individualized plans
- Used small group targeted reading instruction and intervention to offer additional reading support to students facing reading difficulties
- Regularly attended and participated in seminars, training sessions, and departmental meetings to stay abreast of occurrences and regulatory changes
- Collaborated with 30+ educators and administrators to address student and instructional needs
- Regularly evaluated student performance against learning objectives and prepared accurate reports
- Used excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills to build a successful working relationship with the instructional coach
Education
- 03/2016- 07/2018, Online Masters of Arts in Literacy Education, Morgantown, West Virginia
- 03/2008- 05/2012, Bachelor of Arts in Literacy Education, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
- 06/2005- 11/2007, High School Diploma, San Diego Senior High School, San Diego, CA
Skills
- Languages
- English
- Dutch
- French
Hard Skills
- Classroom management
- Professional development
- Student learning
- Lesson planning
- Group learning
- Special education
- Curriculum development
- Behavior analysis
- MS Office Suite
- Committee management
- Facilitation
- Scheduling
- Educational technology
- Staff development
Soft Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Time management
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Active listening
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- Dependability
- High confidence levels
- Conflict resolution
- Emotional intelligence
- Organization
Certifications
05/2016, Technology Literacy for Educators, Microsoft
Reading Specialist CV Example 2
Pamela Johnson
Physical address: 500 W Lambert Branch, Brea, California (CA), 90654
Email address: johnsonpamela50@gmail.com
Phone number: (910) 876- 6789
Personal Profile
Literacy expert with 10+ years of experience assessing and improving students’ reading abilities in kindergartens and elementary schools. Resourceful team player with excellent classroom management and lesson planning skills, ready to create effective intervention plans and strategies for learning. Professional reading specialist with an in-depth understanding of social learning techniques committed to ensuring high excellence standards within the student populace.
Work Experience
07/2019- 10/2022, Literacy Coach, Amani Elementary School, San Diego, CA
- Worked closely with 25 classroom teachers and other educators to identify curriculum issues, solve problems, and set clear goals
- Created detailed and updated teaching materials for educators
- Modeled lessons to help 200+ students improve their reading skills and abilities
- Regularly counseled students, helping them identify their strong and weak areas and work on the latter
- Used PowerPoint to design and deliver professional presentations to educators and junior reading specialists
- Attended 10+ professional development conferences and workshops annually for skill development and professional enhancement
- Voted the best educator of the year in 2020 by the students; only one year after joining the institution
05/2016- 06/2019, Reading Specialist, Achievers Groups of Schools, Tampa, Florida
- Organized and facilitated both county and state testing to evaluate student progress
- Encouraged teachers to tailor their teaching to meet every student’s individual needs and abilities; leading to a 90% success rate
- Regularly communicated with parents to ensure they were equally involved in their children’s reading milestones
- Developed and implemented alternative learning strategies in collaboration with educational professionals
- Used poetry to improve student’s imagination and creative writing style
- Actively participated in the professional development of teachers, administration, and other staff members through effective instructional strategies and knowledge improvement
02/2013- 04/2016, Teacher Aide, Blossom Education Centre, Bellingham, WA
- Collaborated with the lead teacher to develop and implement weekly instructional plans
- Participated in 10+ early childhood education workshops annually for professional development and skill enhancement
- Supervised all classroom and playground activities of children aged 7- 12
- Reduced accidents and incidences by 90% through proper arrangement of the classroom and maintenance of a safe learning environment
- Applied conflict management skills and strategies to resolve issues between children
- Identified 15 struggling children and, with the authorization of the lead teacher, organized remedial lessons that improved their performance by 60% in the end
- Maintained contact with parents; ensuring that they were invested in their children’s learning and development
- Performed data entry by keying in accurate results into the school’s computer system
- Helped in the successful implementation of technology in learning by sustaining all the technologies used in classroom settings, e.g., upkeep of student tablets and hardware usage assistance
Education
- 06/2016- 09/2018, Online Master of Science in Reading Education, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi
- 03/2008- 06/2012, Bachelor of Arts in Language, Literacy and Cultural Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington
- 05/2005- 07/2007, High School Diploma, Tampa Senior High School, Tampa, Florida
Skills
- Languages
- Swahili
- English
- Spanish
Technical Skills
- Professional development
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Committee management
- Scheduling
- Facilitation
- Group learning
- Student learning
- Special education
- Virtualization
- MS Office Suite
- Educational leadership
- Reading intervention
- Staff development
Soft Skills
- Active listening
- Verbal and written communication
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Leadership
- Emotional intelligence
- Collaboration
- Decision-making
- Dependability
- Confidence
- Organization
- Flexibility
- Conflict resolution
- Persuasion
Certifications
05/2015, Microsoft Certified Educator Certification, Microsoft
Reading Specialists Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Reading Specialist Resume?
Your resume must have the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform your tasks as a reading specialist. These skills will also help you use the tools and programs used by reading specialists. Here are some of the best recommendations for your resume: student learning, classroom management, lesson planning, special education, group learning, committee management, scheduling, facilitation, virtualization, Microsoft Office Suite, staff development, educational technology, curriculum development, and spreadsheets.
Additional skills include teaching, training, reading intervention, instruction, education leadership, elementary education, knowledge of learning styles, planning skills, data analysis, administration, filing, and policy enforcement. Make sure that these skills are evenly spread in your resume sections, i.e., work experience, skills, and personal profile sections. Also, remember to find out what the hiring manager needs in the job listing and prioritize them when preparing your resume.
2. Which Keywords Should I Use in My Resume?
Applicant tracking systems scan for certain terms and phrases that describe job requirements, normally known as keywords. They range from abilities and skills to values and attributes that the hiring manager wants to see in their employee. Here are some of the common keywords for reading specialist resumes that can help you stay competitive: staff development, curriculum development, literacy, teacher training, educational leadership, elementary education, lesson planning, teaching, reading, K-12 Education, reading intervention, instructional design, differentiated instruction, student counseling, group facilitation, improvement plans, compliance, and conflict resolution.
Additional keywords include teaching techniques, assessment, teacher collaboration, one-on-one support, small groups, behavior analysis, instruction, team building, interventional, scheduling, MS Office suite, after-school education, committee management, tutoring, facilitation, collaboration, team-building, grant writing, kindergarten, and early childhood. However, remember to review the job listing to identify the best resume keywords.
3. Which Soft Skills Should I Include in My Message?
Soft skills at the character traits and interpersonal skills that dictate how a person relates with others. They also enhance professionals’ deliverability, making them just as important as technical skills. For the best resume, here are a few soft skills you can include in your resume: the ability to work well under pressure, verbal and written communication skills, ability to work in team settings, collaboration, emotional intelligence, attention to detail, time management, leadership, excellent problem-solving skills, conflict management, flexibility, high levels of adaptability, dependability, high creativity levels, integrity, work ethic, and resourcefulness.
Additional soft skills include active listening, confidence, persuasion, stress management, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. Remember to include all the soft skills that the hiring manager wants in an employee, as they are usually found in the job listing.
4. Which Certifications Should I Pursue and Include in My Career?
Here are some of the best certifications worth having on your resume:
- Educational Certificate: K-12 (Ed:) – Certification is usually awarded to professional educators capable of interpreting classroom content and discussions or student/ teen sign language. Holders work with students and teenagers who only understand Manually-coded English, Pidgin Sign English (PSE), and American Sign Language (ASL). However, it’s not restricted to any of them. It also shows that a professional possesses sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign interpretation skills, especially in secondary and elementary school classrooms.
- Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE)– This certification validates that a professional can competently use Microsoft programs to offer students an excellent custom learning experience. It applies to in-service and training educators and is taught through a comprehensive e-learning curriculum. However, it has to be renewed every year.
Alternatively, browse through online learning platforms such as Udemy and Coursera and identify some of the best courses and certifications that will be an excellent addition to your resume.
5. What Should I Consider When Writing My Reading Specialist Resume?
First, choose a simple and appropriate resume format. Remember to include your name and contact information in the header, bold every heading, keep your resume short, and use a common font and the right storage format. Also, pick the right resume type, which should be chronological. A few tips include prioritizing the most relevant skills, partitioning your resume into the right sections, and proofreading it once you are done to correct any errors.