How to become A Reading Specialist

If reading takes one on journeys into the past, present and future and gives glimpses of horizons far away, then Reading Specialists are the tour guides who motivate and nudge the slow or reluctant travellers ahead on this path. Trained experts in literacy and assessment, Reading Specialists help develop, implement and evaluate research-based reading programs that work in conjunction with classroom teaching. They help students with varying abilities achieve their current goals and prepare them for their next steps while guiding principals, teachers and parents.

• Literacy Coach
• Literacy Coordinator
• Reading Interventionist
• Learning Specialist

• Develop, lead, deliver and assess reading programs to ensure their effectiveness for students across elementary and secondary school and adult readers
• Be responsible for improving the literary performance of all readers under their charge, particularly the struggling and slow ones in regular education classrooms
• Use assessments to evaluate the level of reading and strengths of students
• Analyse literacy data and student achievement to identify those who require specialist help and decide if and how to modify the reading program
• Use evaluation outcomes to diagnose specific issues such as dyslexia which need special education support
• Share information and their expert opinion with classroom teachers, special educators, administrators, psychologists, and parents to enable collaboration
• Identify and implement a suitable intervention strategy; monitor students’ progress, and realign or change the strategy for optimal results
• Work with struggling readers individually or in small groups, focusing on skills such as decoding or sounding out words and building fluency and reading comprehension at an appropriate pace
• Supplement classroom learning, sometimes at a slower pace and with a different program, to strengthen reading skills in students through additional practice
• Coteach struggling middle school readers or help small groups within the classroom
• Help high school students sharpen their reading skills to enable them to pass state or national exams and admission or aptitude tests for entry into postsecondary programs
• Train and coordinate teachers, support and childcare staff in their delivery of the literacy program and build good teaching practices
• Collaborate with school leadership teams and local administrators to assess, share or modify literacy strategies in the broader community
• Communicate with students’ families and caregivers about the reading program, specific strategies and outcomes and recommend ways to help the child at home
• Stay up to date with the latest research, findings and techniques to promote reading skills 
• Having to scrutinise the actions or the business decisions of rivals

Reading Specialists typically work in dedicated classrooms at schools to implement the reading program or in regular education classrooms alongside class or subject teachers when the intervention ties in with the class curriculum. They may also spend their office time doing administrative work or evaluating assessments. However, they must adapt to the different environments they may need to work in. 

They may attend meetings with school administrators, other teachers and support staff in meeting rooms. 

Private tutoring may occur in a student’s home, library, or another suitable setting. Travel may be needed to attend off-site meetings, conferences or workshops and meet with local administrators or their counterparts in other schools.

Typically, schools employ Reading Specialists full-time and year-round to participate in lesson planning, lead educator training, and guide the professional development of school staff.

Given that you must provide reading assistance within or outside school hours, you must keep a flexible schedule. You may need to work in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate your students’ working hours if you teach adults

You would follow the school calendar with winter and summer breaks and other holidays.

inding a new job might seem challenging. Reading Specialists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Reading Specialists are generally employed by:

• Public or Private Schools
• Reading Resource Centres
• Reading Clinics
• Foster Homes
• Children’s Hospitals
• Correction Facilities
• Libraries
• Continuing Education Centres

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Literacy Association (ILA), are crucial for Reading Specialists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to adapt to the various instructional models used in different schools
• Lack of proper understanding of a Reading Specialist’s role on the part of administrators and teachers
• Limited contact with parents
• The need to deal with students’ behavioural issues in addition to reading challenges
• Inadequate support systems to deal with the multiple complexities of delivering an effective reading program across the school
• Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in reading through interesting books and discussions
• Ensuring that students pick up reading skills systematically while also helping them find joy in reading
• Recognising individual differences among students and tailoring intervention strategies accordingly
• Interpreting mistakes and providing constructive feedback; explaining concepts with relevant examples; reiterating a concept in different ways to make sure that students understand and use it correctly

Fieldwork is often the cornerstone of a teacher education program. Whether you pursue a bachelor’s degree in education or a credentialing/certification course, you must spend a specified percentage of the hours on classroom instruction. You may acquire experience within a grade in diverse locations or several grades across one school, as required by your program. It is also helpful to gather experience with special needs children.

Employers may also ask for a certain number of years of experience in classroom management. Some may require direct experience running reading literacy classes for students of diverse abilities, needs and ages. It is helpful if your experience is at the same grade level as you expect to teach in a prospective role. 

Working in roles such as substitute or student teacher is also helpful to gain insights into the career and foster necessary practical skills. 

Confirm the nature and length of experience required for earning any certification or license in the location where you plan to work. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working as Reading Specialists to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Some schools may require Reading Specialists to have specific certifications in addition to a master’s degree and teaching license to demonstrate competence in a skill set through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Since requirements may vary, inquire with prospective employers to determine their needs.

Some employers may prefer candidates who hold a Master of Education (MEd) degree specialising in reading or literacy education. Master’s degree programs teach you to diagnose reading problems and the various strategies to provide reading instruction to your students, considering diverse cultural considerations.

Some schools may require Reading Specialists to have specific certifications in addition to a master’s degree and teaching license to demonstrate competence in a skill set through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Since requirements may vary, inquire with prospective employers to determine their needs. 

When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, certification can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Individual government entities conduct the licensing process, which is usually necessary to qualify to teach in public schools and some private schools. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high performance levels may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Equipped with advanced and relevant certification, Reading Specialists may progress to become Curriculum Advisors for schools and literacy programs. 

With experience, Reading Specialists may take on highly specialised duties or broad-based work. 

As Reading Interventionists, you would tailor intervention strategies to individual children’s specific needs and provide one-to-one literacy support sessions to supplement the classroom teacher’s job.

As Literacy Coaches, you would be responsible on a larger scale for the professional development of teachers and the enrichment of school-wide literacy measures. The role of Literacy Coordinator would require you to collaborate with other educators and groups in the community to assess, formulate, modify and lead literacy programs for a school or a wider area.

Stepping into the role of Staff Developer, you would head professional development programs for schools and regions, providing support to teachers in their current responsibilities and new ventures. You would also have the opportunity to work for groups or individuals providing educational consultancy.

Candidates with the necessary skills, teaching experience, and a master’s degree in education, focusing on literacy and reading, have the best job prospects. Excellent communication abilities to teach students and collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators will give you an added advantage.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Reading Specialist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to continually upskill regardless of age, job, or level of knowledge.

Depending on your educational qualifications, experience, current responsibilities, and the area you wish to further specialise in, you can opt for various professional development courses. You may also need to undertake CPD or continuing education (CE) to renew your license or certification. 

Literacy intervention programs rest on six fundamental principles - phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing. You could take refresher courses on tackling each of these components to assist better the slow readers with whom you work. 

Comprehensive diagnostic literary assessment is another critical responsibility that Reading Specialists fulfil. Learning the latest techniques to assess which students need focused support will help you accurately identify their individual learning needs and offer appropriate reading support. 

Other avenues of professional development for Reading Specialists are school leadership and training teachers to develop professional skills. You may also update your technical skills to assist your colleagues in their daily work and deliver an effective reading program in their institution.

While Reading Specialists do not typically work with students with special education needs, some may choose to learn about dyslexia and how to manage it.

Acquiring a PhD degree would allow you to enter the field of research.

Keep track of professional development conferences, workshops and seminars, which are valuable resources to network with peers and learn about the latest educational trends, techniques and technology from like-minded educators, administrators, and literacy & reading coaches.

The Role of Reading Specialists

Reading and writing are foundational skills that impact an individual’s performance across all subjects throughout school, later in higher education and in professional and personal pursuits. Reading is hardly a simple skill but rather a linguistic adventure replete with challenges at different levels demanding diverse skills. Reading Specialists use their training, knowledge and skills to shift students’ dislike or fear of reading at an early age.

The Impact of Lagging in Reading Skills

Studies indicate that, typically, students learn to read by first grade. However, those who do not may lag, even as they complete Grade 4, if left to their own devices. Poor readers in elementary school may remain so even up to high school. That is why schools emphasise teaching children to read by age five.

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
Struggling readers may strengthen their reading skills if given appropriate research-based assistance. Most poor readers may hope to raise their reading skills to at least average levels with the help of prevention, early diagnosis and intervention programs. However, the effectiveness of such reading programs depends on how well-trained Reading Specialists deliver them.

Furthermore, the programs must incorporate strategies to encourage phoneme awareness, phonics, spelling, reading fluency and comprehension.

Diversity of Assignments

Reading Specialists may work as part of specialised reading programs not tied with the school curriculum or deliver a reading program based on the school curriculum.

They may also work on the inclusion model within the classroom by collaborating with teachers, using the pull-out method or combining the two approaches.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

Used in specific locations and aimed at the lowest-achieving children in a school, the literacy program, Reading Recovery, is one of several in existence. It provides focused instruction for 20 weeks, by the end of which students must be reading at age-expected levels. Based on the principle of short but daily individualised lessons by trained Reading Specialists, the program considers where the child is at the moment and what they might learn next. 

Each class teaches the student how to understand written messages and construct them. Reading Recovery enables specialists to assess, identify and assist students who need focused assistance to reach age-expected reading levels. It also allows them to support school staff in delivering the reading program, using detailed diagnostic assessments.

Reading Recovery

Used in specific locations and aimed at the lowest-achieving children in a school, the literacy program, Reading Recovery, is one of several in existence. It provides focused instruction for 20 weeks, by the end of which students are expected to be reading at age-expected levels. Based on the principle of short but daily individualised lessons by trained Reading Specialists, the program considers where the child is at the moment and what they might learn next. 

Each class teaches the student how to understand written messages and construct them. Reading Recovery enables specialists to assess, identify and assist students who need focused assistance to reach age-expected reading levels. It also allows them to support school staff in delivering the reading program, using detailed diagnostic assessments.

Reading can expand children’s vocabulary from 4,000 to 12,000 words annually.

Your job is to inculcate not just reading skills in slow readers through focused instruction but also joy and pride in self-progress and a sincere interest in continuing the journey of literacy development as lifelong readers. Advanced training and certification to become Reading Specialists require you to invest considerable time, effort and resources. However, it is payback time when you witness your student’s reluctance to read fade away and eagerness to turn the page grow.

Neither teaching nor learning how to read is a finite journey with a final destination. Both are lifetime adventures with their ups and downs and digressions. Make sure to equip the students and teachers you train with a toolkit of strategies they can employ as they progress on their journey.