READING SPECIALIST, SUMMER 2024
Horizons at Tower Hill School is seeking a dedicated and effective Lead K/1 Teacher with a dynamic talent for creating and nurturing a lifelong joy of learning in children. We are looking for a talented, passionate, caring professional who will work as a team player, fulfill the Horizons mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring and educational culture.
Horizons at Tower Hill School provides a six-week, full day educational enrichment summer session designed to encourage and support students from Tower Hill’s surrounding communities that have been impacted by educational inequity. We are committed to the development of the whole child through experiences that build problem solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, instill respect for others, and encourage a life-long interest in learning. Horizons blends high-quality academics with arts, athletics, enrichment, and confidence-building activities, including a special focus on the important life skill of swimming.
The Lead Teacher will work with an Assistant Teacher, Volunteer, and a Reading Specialist, and will be supported by the Executive Director. During the summer of 2024, Horizons at Tower Hill will welcome back one 15-person class of rising 2nd graders and will welcome one new class of 15 rising 1st graders. Teachers are able to design a project-based curriculum and integrate learning strategies that address the individual needs of the students. It is our hope that Horizons summer staff members will return to the program for more than one summer as we continue to work together, support our students, and build the program and the community.
Position Overview
Horizons at Tower Hill School is seeking a dedicated Reading Specialist. We are looking for a professional, caring individual with the ability to engage students in learning and to teach all aspects of literacy; reading / writing / spelling / speaking (including phonetics, phonology, morphology, orthography, semantics, syntax and text structure) throughout our six week summer enrichment program. Candidates must be willing to work as a team player to build this vibrant program, lead the development of the literacy program and help fulfill the Horizons mission. It is our hope that Horizons summer staff will be open to returning to the program for more than one summer, as we continue to work together, support our students, and build the program and the community.
This is a temporary in-person position located at 2813 West 17th Street, Wilmington, DE, 19806.
Essential Job Functions:
The Reading Specialist will work as part of the leadership team with the Executive Director to accomplish the literacy/academic enrichment, assessment, and staff literacy instruction development goals of the program. The Reading Specialist will work closely with our educators to coordinate all literacy aspects of assessment with curriculum, identify tutoring needs, and keep all stakeholders informed of relevant implementations, issues, and results. They will also identify readers for tiered supports, and they will implement daily small group tutoring sessions with these students.
Specifically, the Reading Specialist will:
Coordinate all aspects of all standardized assessments in terms of the pre/post and any ongoing assessments including logistics and data sharing across the organization
Plan and coordinate the sharing of assessment results with all relevant staff members
Assist with any staff or volunteer development for accomplishing academic growth for each student
When appropriate, prepare a report on individual students to be shared with the partner school staff.
Assist with staff training in an individual and group capacity.
Emphasize the importance of good oral language models for all students, and daily practice in developing higher levels of oral language for all classrooms, including art, music and other sciences.
Support teacher differentiation of literacy instruction based on student needs.
Coordinate literacy resources and access to Horizons leveled library and guided reading books.
Meet regularly with Administration as needed to accomplish goals and/or problem-solve as issues occur.
Qualifications:
In addition to a strong commitment to Horizon’s mission, this position requires a balance of knowledge of best practices for reading instruction and practical experience and proficiency in the skills of literacy instruction. More detailed qualifications for this position include:
Knowledge of grade level literacy standards and proven ability to plan and deliver effective, engaging, literacy instruction.
Ability to relate effectively to a diverse community and demonstrate an understanding of culturally responsive instruction.
Knowledge of concepts and pedagogical best practices of print, letter recognition, phoneme awareness, decoding, fluency, spelling, vocabulary development, comprehension, composition, and other key literacy skills.
Knowledge of current research needed to be able to adequately support student communication in all forms.
Awareness of the importance of oral language development for students along the full English proficiency spectrum.
A strong affinity with the values of Horizons. Willingness to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational and time management skills and ability to maintain good communication between all parties, to have clear expectations and directions, and to provide feedback to the ED, to staff, and to Horizons National as the literacy program unfolds.
Dates:
April 17, May 15, and June 18: HTH Staff Orientation 5-6:30pm
June 20th - June 21st: Classroom Set-up Days
June 24th - August 2nd: Program Instruction Days (Mon-Fri, except July 4th and July 5th)
The program meets daily from 7:45 am until 3:30 pm. The Reading Specialist is expected to honor the full time, six-week commitment and 3 Saturdays throughout the school year. Salary depending on experience.
Please submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible. Apply here:
Tower Hill School - Horizons at Tower Hill School Reading Specialist