Position Type: Student Support Services/Reading Resource / Academic InterventionistDate Posted: 3/14/2024Location: St. Joan of Arc Catholic SchoolDate Available: 08/09/2024Closing Date: Open until filled.Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois Catholic Schools 2023-2024 Reading Specialist Grades K-8 - Full-time St. Joan of Arc Catholic School; Lisle, IL Position available: August, 2024 Ministerial Expectations It is understood and expected that the work of the Catholic Church, its agencies and institutions, has characteristics that differentiate it from the work of other secular and non-Catholic agencies and institutions as a specifically religious institution performing a religious function and mission. Teachers working in a Catholic School agree to work diligently to support and strengthen the Catholic Church and its value system. By word and example teachers support all the official religious teachings of the Catholic Church throughout their personal and professional lives. Teachers agree to play a substantial role in conveying the Catholic Church's message and carrying out its mission. The ministry of teachers embraces the following purposes:
- To teach and witness to the tenets of the Catholic faith
- To integrate learning with faith
- To instill a sense of Christ's mission, charity, and service to others
- To draw the school community into worship
- To pass on the Catholic Christian faith to each student
- To build, support and maintain Catholic identity throughout the school
Teachers in a Catholic School accept their roles as ministers in a faith community. Their teaching ministry extends to the formation of the whole person. Teachers are expected to act and speak in public in a way that supports the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings including our belief:
- In the life and dignity of every human person, regardless of age, status, or condition.
- In the centrality of the family for a good society and in Christian marriage defined as the lifelong union of one man and one woman open to participating in the power of God's procreative love.
- In the call to witness and proclaim the Catholic faith and its social and moral teachings in public dialogue.
- In working to assure that we continue to have and enjoy the rights of religious freedom in our country.
Instructional Expectations The Reading Specialist's primary function is to assist students who are achieving below grade-level expectations in the area of reading. This person acts as an advocate for students who are in need of assistance in acquiring skills necessary to academic success. This teacher's responsibilities include leading all meetings of the school Teacher Assistance Team; and teaching, coaching, leading, and overseeing all interventions designed by this Team. He or she must be familiar with the MTSS (Multi-tiered System of Support) Model and with planning and implementing effective Response to Intervention (RtI) strategies. He or she must also be willing to assume a leadership role in assessing students and in designing programs and services to meet their individual needs. The Reading Specialist must be an excellent communicator who is willing and able to involve parents and classroom teachers in supporting the modifications and accommodations designed to assist their children. The responsibilities of the Reading Specialist include, but are not limited to:
- Identifying students in need of small group or individual literacy interventions through the use of assessment data.
- Screening students to establish proper reading and math placement.
- Providing small group or individual interventions and supports to address identified student needs.
- Assessing student progress regularly and using assessment results to improve subsequent instruction.
- Providing coaching to instructional staff by acting as a resource to classroom teachers and content-area specialists.
- Assisting teachers in organizing their academic programs, selecting materials, implementing teaching techniques, and in designing their instructional services to meet the special needs of individual students.
- Presenting demonstration lessons in the teaching of reading and/or math instructional strategies as requested or required.
- Providing professional development support in the implementation of research-based best practices.
- Working with teachers and other educators to develop and implement plans that meet the needs of all students.
- Maintaining frequent communication with the school principal and parents regarding student growth data.
- Regularly conferring with the principal regarding the needs of students and academic programs.
- Working cooperatively with representatives of the local public school district to maximize student services to which the school is legally entitled.
- Successfully converting the IEPs (Individual Education Plans) to ISPs (Individual Service Plans) for students who enter the school from public schools.
Instructional Functions Under the general supervision of the School Principal, the successful candidate will:
- Serve as a positive role model and support the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church at all times.
- Create an inclusive learning environment within his or her classroom and school.
- Create a faith-focused and vibrant Catholic culture within his or her classroom that is emphasized through the candidate's words, deeds, manners of dress, and actions.
- Integrate religion within lessons.
- Facilitate student success and growth in faith formation, academics, and interpersonal skills.
- Implement diocesan-approved curricula with fidelity.
- Document teaching and student progress, activities, and outcomes.
- Differentiate instruction to address specific educational needs of individual students.
- Create a flexible, safe, and optimal learning environment.
- Regularly provide feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, and goals in academic areas.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to design individualized lessons to build key reading and language skills.
- Lead and oversee all school RTI and Teacher Assistance Team activities.
Essential Functions
- Serves as a model of the Catholic faith in words, actions, speech, and demeanor.
- Develops and administers school curricula consistent with diocesan goals and objectives.
- Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction and student learning.
- Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates these plans into learning experiences that best utilize available time for instruction
- Differentiates instruction based upon student learning styles and needs.
- Conducts ongoing assessments of student learning, and modifies instructional methods to fit the individual student's needs; including students with special needs;
- Conducts individual and small group instruction as needed.
- Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other subject matters specified in applicable laws, as well as in administrative regulations and procedures of the Diocese of Joliet.
- Continues to acquire professional knowledge and to learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
- Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement, and attendance as required by district and school procedures and applicable laws.
- Encourages parental involvement in student education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
- Ensures that student conduct conforms with the school's standards and diocesan policies
- Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
- Collaborates with other professional staff members to evaluate and assess curriculum.
- Participates in faculty meetings and on committees.
- Selects and requisitions appropriate books, instructional resources, supplies, and equipment.
- administers standardized tests, benchmark assessments, and other assessments in accordance with diocesan assessment guidelines.
- understands and adheres to all principles and tenets of the Catholic faith
- maintains a lifestyle, both within and outside of the school environment, that is in full accord with Church teachings.
Additional Duties Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and/or Catholic Schools Office administrators as designated by the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. Travel Requirements Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy in reading.
- Knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith.
- Knowledge of elementary school Reading curriculum and concepts.
- Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis procedures, and the formulation of data-informed interventions.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
- Ability to use computer network systems and software applications as needed.
- Ability to collaborate with classroom teachers and to assist them in differentiating instruction.
- Ability to document and communicate student progress.
- Ability to organize and coordinate work.
- Ability to reflect upon and to self-evaluate performance and professional growth.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
- Ability to clearly communicate with all constituents including (but not limited to); school administration, pastors, parish priests, colleagues, students, parents, and prospective parents.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
- Work in standard office and school building environments.
- Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to walk up and down multiple flights of stairs on a regular basis.
- Physically able to perform the duties as assigned including the ability to lift up to 20-30 pounds if needed.
Qualifications Profile
- The candidate must hold a current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL); reading specialist endorsememt is required.
- Previous experience in utilizing differentiation strategies to meet the instructional and social-emotional needs of individual learners is preferred.
- Exceptional classroom management and communication skills are essential to success in this role.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Education or a related discipline is required.
- A Master's Degree or experience in a related area is desired.
- Previous experience in teaching and assessing reading at the K-8 grade levels is a plus.
- Experience in assuming a teacher leadership role is a plus.
- Experience in administering benchmark assessments and in using this data to drive student instruction is preferred.
Hours
- This is a full-time (benefited) position.
- Compensation is in accordance with Category (degrees earned) and Step (years of experience) placement on the current Catholic Schools Office Scales for Ready Reference salary schedule.
To Apply for this Position Complete an online Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office Frontline Applicant Tracking application. This may be accessed at the following link: Review of applications will begin as complete applications are received. Hard copy or incomplete applications will not be considered.