You must be the change you wish to see in the world, Mahatma Gandhi. There is a new euphoria that has embraced the reading ambience worldwide. There is a new kid on the block in today's reading classroom. The kid is slick, flexible, diplomatic, knowledgeable; and given the mandate to improve the reading classrooms. That kid is called a reading specialist geared towards the ideologies of improved students' learning and teacher efficacy in a bid to make schools more effective, dynamic and purposeful.
In this blog one will explore the dynamics of reading specialists; who they are; what are their roles and responsibilities; what qualifications they need; and the characteristics that are vital to their efficiency in the classroom.
Who or what is a reading specialist?
The International Reading Association deems reading specialist as an individual or individuals who work closely with children to help them achieve reading skills that match their current grade level. They are also nicked named reading teachers or coaches.
These individuals strive to increase the reading capabilities of all students through school wide reading programmes, literacy materials and resources and on-going collaboration with classroom teachers, parents and administrators.
What is the job description of a reading specialist?
A reading specialist is required to:
1. Use a diversity of strategies to deliver instructions, individualized lessons, and support children who need to know how to read and comprehend meaning from printed words and other materials.
2. Conduct assessments to determine student reading level, need, interest, ability, preference or style as well as their instructional level.
3.Create and institutionalize effective, individualized reading plans to match students' ability, diversity, learning style, needs and preferences.
4. Guide children through reading and writing activities that help them overcome their specific literacy struggles.
5.Consult with parents and teachers to recommend at home strategies that facilitate and foster reading skills and improvement
6. Work with school librarians to include materials on literacy education.
7. Co-ordinate school wide reading intervention programmes and literacy that work.
8. Have a significant amount of knowledge about technology and how it can be integrated within the learning/ teaching milieu.
What should reading specialist know?
He or she must be knowledgeable about:
1. The components of reading and literacy curricula and programme.
2. Techniques for teaching reading and literacy in the classroom.
3. How to assess students' reading/literacy progress.
4. Research and evaluate reading and literacy data.
5. Identify trends and issues in reading research
How does one qualify to be a reading specialist?
One must be well qualified academically. He or she must be the holder of a first or second degree in reading/literacy from a well accredited educational institution. He or she must also illustrate a key interest in the area of reading/literacy; as well as possess a great amount of experience in the classroom dealing with students with literacy challenges.
Bearing all this in mind, what qualities must the reading specialist as a transformational leader possess?
He or she should:
be dynamic, flexible, committed, diverse
knowledgeable about literacy and techniques that will improve literacy.
have great interpersonal skills
cooperative
loving
humble
motivational and inspirational
spiritually sound
observant
Network and share best practices
seek continuous development and training
be a part of a professional reading organization and attending regular conferences.
must be a leader.
confidentiality is another significant quality of a reading specialist with a quest to improve students, teachers, schools and communities.
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