The Kinkaid School is seeking a Reading Specialist to join its Middle School team starting August 2023. The ideal candidate will have a passion for literacy, understanding of dyslexia, and proven success in direct instruction of decoding, fluency, and reading comprehension skills. Reporting directly to the Director of Learning Services and the Head of Middle School, the Reading Specialist will develop and implement curriculum used in the reading intervention classes. The Middle School Reading Specialist is responsible for creating a supportive learning environment and instructional program that results in students improving their literacy skills and achieving academic success.
The Kinkaid School is a co-educational non-sectarian day school enrolling over 1,400 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Located on a sixty-five-acre campus in the heart of Houston, Texas, the School offers a thriving intellectual community in the midst of a vibrant, urban, diverse culture.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
Teach Reading Intervention classes to Middle School Students in grades 5, 6 ,and 7 to improve students’ decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills
Create and maintain a respectful classroom learning environment
Evaluate students according to set criteria for entry into and exit from the reading program track
Develop and adjust reading intervention curriculum according to the needs of the individual students
Utilize programmatic resources such as Orton-Gillingham, Neuhaus or Reading Mastery in small group instruction
Recommend current middle grade and YA literature to students
Communicate regularly with the administrative team, classroom teachers, and parents about student progress and growth
Participate in divisional faculty meetings, department meetings, and weekly grade level team meetings for grades 5, 6, and 7
Conduct screenings and assessments of reading skills, upon request
Observe readers in the academic classroom, upon request
Assist the learning specialists with review of psychoeducational testing results related to reading skills
Serve as a resource to the administrative team and teachers in the areas of reading instruction and curriculum
Support teachers with classroom intervention strategies, including reviewing students' classroom assessments and work, identifying goals and developing plans, following up on students' growth and progress
Assist teachers in selecting appropriate materials for intervention and support
Participate in parent meetings addressing needs, growth, and progress of students in the reading program
Model professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, and the community
Set performance goals and engage in a cycle of professional growth and development
Serve as a Middle School Advisor to 10-12 students in a specific grade level
Exemplify Kinkaid’s four core values of honesty, responsibility, respect, and kindness in interactions with all members of the community
Fulfill additional responsibilities as requested by the Division Head. Additional responsibilities might include supervisory duties, serving on a school committee, coaching a sport, or leading a club, and are contingent upon interest and skill set, as well as the School’s needs
Qualifications
Master’s degree in Literacy Education preferred
Reading Specialist certification preferred
A minimum of 3 years of experience teaching Reading or English to middle school students
Breadth of experience across grade levels in a middle school setting preferred
Experience with sustained, small group reading intervention
Experience supporting faculty with student intervention and support
Experience with multisensory phonics programs and any specific programs like Neuhaus, Wilson, Orton-Gillingham
Knowledge about research-based practices for effective instruction of the middle school age learner
Knowledge of and fluency with a range of formal assessment tools
Proficient use of Microsoft Office, and Google Drive, Docs, and Spreadsheets
Significant successful leadership experience in independent schools
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship skills
A commitment to diversity and global education
An educational philosophy consistent with the mission of the School
Proven ability to work collaboratively with administrators, teachers, students and parents
A demonstrated eagerness to grow professionally
A commitment to collaboration and high ethical professional standards
An interest in and commitment to being a full member of the community
The Kinkaid School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law, The Kinkaid School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Submit all correspondence including your cover letter, resume, and application through The Kinkaid School position post. Please no emails or phone calls to submit your candidacy or show interest.
The Kinkaid School is a co-educational non-sectarian day school enrolling 1,400 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Located on a sixty-five-acre campus in the heart of Houston, Texas, the school offers a thriving intellectual community in the midst of a vibrant, urban, diverse culture. With an enrollment of almost 600, the Upper School fosters a learning environment centered on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity and personal attention. The Upper School faculty enjoys small class sizes and a collegial, collaborative environment centered on intellectual curiosity and continuous professional development.
