Reading Specialist - Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner

Description

Reading Specialist – Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner

2023 - 2024 School Year Start

Date: August 2023

About Our School: The Cove School is a non-public therapeutic day school for students with learning disabilities located in Northbrook just 35 minutes north of Chicago. Cove students come from 60 different public schools throughout the Northern Illinois area. Families can also choose to fund tuition privately.

For 70 years, The Cove School has been a national leader within its field, creating an exceptional environment where children with learning disabilities “learn how to learn” and develop the emotional and social skills to reach within, achieve above, exceed beyond, and maximize student growth. Classes are kept small.  Teaching is flexible and varies according to the individual student’s learning style. A team of onsite specialists work collaboratively to provide students intensive, integrated related services.

Minimum Education: Bachelors degree. Masters degree (preferred)
Certification: State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License (LBS1 preferred);

Teaching experience as reading teacher, reading specialist and/or special education teacher; Wilson certified preferred; and such alternatives to the aforementioned qualifications as the Executive Director may find appropriate and acceptable.
 
The reading teacher or reading specialist will provide direct instruction to students and assistance to teachers so that appropriate research-based strategies are employed in order for students to achieve literacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide direct literacy instruction for students who require individual or small group instruction informed by specific multi-sensory methodologies such as Orton-Gilligham, Wilson, LIPS, Visualizing-Verbalizing. 
2. Exhibit theoretical and research-based knowledge of language acquisition, reading development and child development
3. Assist special education teachers in recognizing and responding to the multiple literacy needs of diverse learners
4. Assist special education teachers in utilizing a variety of on-going, instructionally based assessment approaches to inform and differentiate literacy instruction
5. Administer and interpret on-going instructionally based assessments that inform literacy instruction and IEP goals for the student. 
6. Research, teach, and model best practices used to address the needs of those students who struggle with reading and writing
7. Assist with implementing a balanced approach of direct teaching using authentic, literature-based reading and writing opportunities
8. Work with special education teachers and administrators to develop and use appropriate literacy strategies, implementation plans, and assessment tools
9. Assist with school-wide literacy initiatives
10. Provide ongoing professional development to staff
11. Provide constructive feedback to special education teachers in their approach and instruction in reading and writing
12. Demonstrate instructional leadership and professionalism

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Effectively communicate accurate and up-to-date information to special education teachers and students in a way that enhances student learning
2. Manage time and resources appropriately
3. Create a positive atmosphere that promotes cooperation with administration, parents, co-workers, and students
4. Demonstrate concert for students’ and teachers’ well-being
5. Embrace and encourage the acceptance of diversity
6. Maintain a familiarity with current educational issues
7. Use current technology for instruction and management purposes
8. Be available for consult with parents, students, administration, and peers outside the school day, as needed
9. Spend time beyond the school day preparing and planning instruction and professional development
10. Disaggregate and analyze data to target instruction, enhance student learning, and inform teacher practice.
11. Perform all other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

Non-classroom responsibilities

1. Participate in curriculum planning and program development
2. Participate in team and IEP meetings
3. Attend faculty meetings
4. Communicate with parents on a consistent basis between grading periods
5. Participate in school events:  Field Trips, Parent Night, Parent Teacher Conferences, Project Fair and Graduation
6. Collaborate with teachers regarding the students' goals, programs, and progress
7. Participate in school committees

Personal - Professional

1. Continue to remain abreast on the current research and practices in the field of learning and reading disabilities

Community

1. Act as a liaison between Cove School and private tutors or educational therapists to consolidate services to students
2. Represent Cove School at local/national conferences

Qualifications

Salary : $59,600 - $75,500