Reading Specialist (Summer Session)

Organization Background: 

Horizons Atlanta (HA) believes that every child in Atlanta, regardless of background, should have the same chance at making a positive impact on his or her community. By eliminating the critical barriers to success that many of our children face, we aim to put them on a path to: 

• Read proficiently by the end of third grade 
• Achieve eighth grade math proficiency
• Build swimming skills and confidence
• Graduate from high school, college and/or career ready

We accomplish this by providing our students access to high quality academics in an engaging, tuition-free, six-week summer enrichment program focused on literacy, math, and swim skills, as well as complementary school year activities. The student/teacher ratio at Horizons is approximately 5:1. Building lasting connections and relationships are very important for us at Horizons Atlanta.  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.  

For more information about Horizons Atlanta and the specific sites, please visit www.horizonsatlanta.org.  

Position Overview 

Horizons Atlanta is seeking dedicated and effective Reading Specialists with a dynamic talent for creating and nurturing a lifelong love of learning in children for our sites across Metro-Atlanta.  We are looking for a talented, passionate, caring professional who will work as a team player to support our vibrant programs, fulfill the Horizons mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring and educational culture.  The Reading Specialist will be an integral part of the Horizons team; working with all of the Lead Teachers, the Teacher Assistants and Interns and will be supported by the Academic and Site Directors. There will be a Lead Teacher, a Teacher Assistant and an Intern in each classroom with a 5:1 student to teacher ratio. Reading Specialists focus on providing small group instruction and sharing best practices with other instructional staff.  It is our hope that the Horizons summer staff members will return to the program more than one summer as we continue to work together, support our students, and build the program and the community. 

Qualifications:

A “good fit” Horizons Reading Specialist will have a strong commitment to the Horizon’s mission, and will possess the knowledge of the Science of Reading instructional practices proven to effectively teach reading. This ideal candidate must be flexible, well organized, positive, capable of taking initiative, and full of enthusiasm for both teaching and learning. 

More detailed qualifications for this position include: 

• Current teaching certification (K-12); Additional Literacy Training/Certification; Preferred
• Training in at least one multi-sensory reading method; Required
• Experience administering reading skills assessments and using data to determine most effective interventions
• Experience in planning, creating, and managing small group literacy instruction 
• Experience teaching elementary/middle school children, with a gift for both building the student’s love of learning and bolstering their basic reading skills.  
• Proven ability to relate well to diverse families, to plan and deliver engaging, challenging lessons for school-age children.
• Knowledge and skills in classroom management, social emotional learning and specific strategies for developing children’s non-cognitive skills such as focus, determination, empathy and self-discipline.
• Understanding and knowledge of the issues and challenges facing low income families living in Fulton, DeKalb, and/or Paulding County. 
• A strong passion for working with youth and a strong desire to help make a difference in the lives of low-income students.  
• Clear expectations and directions, and the ability to receive and provide feedback.
• Excellent communication skills, model interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
• The capacity to be a leader and be part of a team with the mission of the child’s success. 

The Reading Specialist will:

• Coordinate and oversee pre- and post-program assessment of students using STAR Assessment.
• Provide one-on-one or small group tutoring as needed to help students develop basic literacy skills; Identify, via pre-program assessment, readers who need additional support; 
• When necessary, share academic reports on individual students to be shared with the staff;
• Offer guidance to faculty to help develop or strengthen reading instruction curriculum and differentiated student skill groups for small group instruction that would be helpful to staff members, individually and/or during the summer or during professional planning days; 
• Train/advise volunteers and interns as needed to work with students as additional reading tutors;
• Meet with Site Director, Lead and Assistant Teachers as needed to accomplish goals and/or problem solve as issues occur, if needed;
• 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, or science;
• Monitor and take proper procedures to protect the physical and emotional safety of all students;
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures in support of Horizons Atlanta’s vision; 
• Establish and maintain lasting relationships with students, staff, and families;
• Complete surveys and debrief documents at the close of the program;
• Participate in evening and weekend meetings associated with the execution of the training as determined by the site director, if applicable; 
• Commit to continuous learning and having fun for 6 weeks; and
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as determined by Horizons Atlanta and/or program site.

The position is full time during the six weeks of the program. Salary is $6,500 - $8,500, depending on program, dates/hours worked, and experience.

Dates for 6-week program vary per site, but will follow one of the following:

• June 5, 2023 - July 14, 2023 
• June 12, 2023 - July 21, 2023 

* All sites currently observe Juneteenth (6/19) and July 4th (7/3-7/4) and will be closed for those days. 

To Apply: Please upload a resume and cover letter, outlining your skills and experience (PDF format, please) to jobs@horizonsatlanta.org with subject line “Horizons Atlanta Reading Specialist.”

Horizons Atlanta is an equal opportunity employer.