Primary Reading Specialist (PreK-2)

About the role

The Primary Reading Specialist provides specialized literacy instruction and intervention services to students in PreK through Grade 2. The Reading Specialist works collaboratively with classroom teachers, intervention staff, administrators, and families to support student achievement in early literacy development.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted literacy intervention services to students in PreK through Grade 2 based upon student needs, assessment data, and intervention plans.
• Design and implement evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with current research, including structured literacy practices and the Science of Reading.
• Support implementation of district literacy programs, including Schoolwide Reading and Writing Foundations and Phonics First.
• Utilize literacy assessment and progress monitoring tools, including, but not limited to, DIBELS, Acadience Reading, Acadience Math, LinkIt!, classroom assessments, and other district-approved measures.
• Analyze student assessment data to identify instructional needs, monitor progress, and adjust interventions.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to support effective literacy instruction, including differentiated instruction, small-group instruction, and tiered intervention strategies.
• Provide instructional support, modeling, and collaborative planning with teachers regarding evidence-based literacy practices.
• Participate as a contributing member of building-level MTSS teams by assisting with data analysis, intervention planning, and problem-solving processes.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, Child Study Team members, interventionists, and related service providers to support inclusive practices and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
• Communicate effectively with families regarding student literacy development, progress, and instructional strategies.
• Maintain accurate records of student interventions, assessment results, and instructional outcomes.
• Continue professional growth through workshops, professional learning opportunities, research, and collaboration with colleagues.
• Auxiliary duties may include supporting district literacy initiatives and instructional goals, participating in grade-level, department, and professional learning conversations related to literacy instruction, supporting teachers in understanding literacy assessment results and applying instructional strategies to meet student needs, providing periodic professional learning opportunities on early literacy instruction, as requested, and supporting students and teachers across multiple elementary buildings as assigned.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of early literacy development and evidence-based reading instruction.
• Knowledge of structured literacy practices aligned with current Science of Reading research.
• Understanding of balanced literacy practices and the ability to integrate multiple approaches based on student needs.
• Strong knowledge of foundational literacy skills, including: phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing development.
• Familiarity with district literacy programs including Schoolwide Reading and Writing Foundations and Phonics First.
• Knowledge of literacy assessment systems and progress monitoring practices, including DIBELS, Acadience, LinkIt!, and similar tools.
• Ability to interpret assessment data and translate results into effective instructional decisions.
• Knowledge of MTSS frameworks and tiered intervention practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to support colleagues through coaching, modeling, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
• Commitment to inclusive practices and supporting students in the Least Restrictive Environment.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple responsibilities across two school buildings.

Qualifications

• Required: NJ Reading Specialist Certificate AND One Of The Following NJ Instructional Certificates: Preschool through Grade 3, Elementary School Teacher K-6, Equivalent elementary instructional certification AND NJ Early Literacy Specialist Certificate or currently pursuing the NJ Early Literacy Specialist Certificate.
• Preferred: Additional structured literacy training including: Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, IMSE, LETRS, Phonics First, Similar evidence-based literacy training.
• Education Required: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred: Master's Degree in Reading, Literacy Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or related field.
• Experience Preferred: Minimum of five years successful teaching experience in early elementary grades (PreK-2).
• Demonstrated success providing literacy instruction and intervention.
• Experience supporting struggling readers through targeted instruction and progress monitoring.
• Experience collaborating with classroom teachers to strengthen literacy instruction.
• Experience participating in MTSS/intervention processes.
• Experience supporting inclusion and Least Restrictive Environment practices.
• Demonstrated leadership capacity through grade-level collaboration, mentoring, professional learning, curriculum work, or similar school-based initiatives.