Reading Specialist, Elementary; SY

Overview

Reading Specialist, Elementary (SY25-26)

Meridian Public Charter School is a PreK-8th grade school located in Washington DC’s U Street Corridor. The school’s mission is to inspire a passion for learning and to help students build self-confidence and self-respect through academic achievement. Meridian serves 650+ students from diverse backgrounds and is committed to reflecting that diversity among teachers and staff.

Meridian is a school of choice for parents with representation from all eight wards of the city. Our strengths include two historic campuses, updated curricula and technology, a focus on student growth and social-emotional development, extensive professional development, and a school culture centered on student achievement and collaboration.

For more information about Meridian, visit mpcs-dc.org.

We are hiring a Reading Specialist to begin working with elementary school students immediately. A Reading Specialist is a master teacher of small group intervention instruction. The role focuses on implementing a student-centered system of intervention to close gaps in English Language Arts for students in grades PreK-5. The goal is to support the RTI program, prevent placement in other services, and support accelerated learners to ensure high levels of achievement.

The Reading Specialist works alongside teachers providing resources, instructional supports, and technical assistance to best support specific students. The ideal candidate is energetic, enthusiastic about reading, and has deep ELA content knowledge with a proven track record of raising student outcomes.

• Provides and delivers focused reading intervention instruction to students in small groups and one-on-one settings through push-in and pullout for the purpose of improving student outcomes and achievement
• Provides professional support to teachers in delivering ELA instruction based on the science of reading
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of ELA instruction, reading interventions, and the science of reading
• Serves as a content specialist to assist in the development and implementation of ELA instruction
• Understands and interprets assessment data, both formal and informal, to inform instructional decisions and flexible student grouping
• Assists in the establishment of MTSS systems and supports in ELA for students
• Facilitates data meetings in a high-level data environment ensuring that both students and teachers understand their data and are progressing toward goals
• Ensures that instructional decisions are based on analysis of student level data
• Designs effective intervention lessons to deliver to students
• Frequently monitors progress of students receiving intervention services to adjust instructional practice and student grouping
• Communicates and collaborates with classroom teachers about alignment between classroom instruction and intervention
• Collaborates with the Chief Academic Officer, Principal and Instructional Coaches to provide curriculum implementation guidance to teachers
• Participates as a member of the school data team
• Establishes and maintains good rapport with students, employees, community members and vendors
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality
• Other job-related duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a focus on English, literacy, or reading instruction. Advanced degree in education preferred
• A minimum of three years of effective ELA instruction in a K-12 setting with proven academic outcome results
• Strong content knowledge in ELA instructional practices, Science of Reading, and Common Core ELA standards
• Demonstrated results in improving student outcomes and achievement in ELA or reading
• Competencies in instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnostics, and related pedagogy research
• Extensive knowledge in ELA curriculum and support resources including technology-based activities and web-based resources
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, school personnel, and parents; ability to work cooperatively with others
• Ability to set goals with…