Reading Specialist- Horizons Savannah

Job Description

Job Description

Organization Background:

An affiliate of Horizons National, Horizons Savannah is a public/private partnership offering a summer program that addresses the achievement and opportunity gaps of under-resourced students in the Savannah area throughout their school careers from K-12. The heart of Horizons is an exemplary summer academic program that supports a cohort of students in reading, writing, math, and science, paired with swimming lessons, field trips, sports, and enrichment activities in the performing and visual arts. The program also includes a year-round component featuring family events, and enrichment activities. Our mission is to partner with youth, their families and the community to enrich the lives of students with the joy of learning, the skills for success and the inspiration to realize their dreams.

For more information about Horizons Savannah, please visit

Position Overview:
Horizons is seeking a Reading Specialist who will work as a team player to fulfill the Horizons
mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring and educational culture. The Reading
Specialist will work with a team of faculty members to create and implement direct student
reading instruction across grade levels and will be supported by the Site Supervisor. The
Reading Specialist is an integral part of our summer program's approach to closing literacy
gaps for students and creating a love of reading and learning. The Reading Specialist works in
an interdisciplinary manner with lead teachers, STEAM Specialists and the leadership team to
develop strategies to engage students in reading across all activities at Horizons. 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.

The Reading Specialist is responsible for the implementation of pre and post testing for all
grade levels in reading and math using the appropriate, designated testing. The Reading
Specialist will work with the Executive Director to secure the optimum testing environment and
needed supplies. This position is responsible for interpreting data from testing to relay to
teachers, other staff, families and the student's home school. This position is also responsible
for completing any required testing reports and submitting testing data to the National Office.
The Reading Specialist provides one on one or small group reading instruction, design and
implement individual student action plans as needed, and supports lead teachers as needed.

Essential Job Functions:
● Coordinate and oversee pre- and post-program assessment of students using STAR Reading and
STAR Math.
● Identify, via pre-program assessment, readers who need additional support in order to stay on
track
● When necessary, prepare reports on individual students to be shared with teachers and parents.
Updated 2022

● Offer guidance to faculty to help develop or strengthen reading instruction curriculum and
differentiated student skill groups for small group instruction.
● Provide direct instruction as needed to help students develop language and reading skills.
● Work with team members 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 and practical experience with and proficiency in the skills of
instruction. The ideal candidate for the Lead Teacher position must be flexible, well organized,
capable of taking initiative, and full of enthusiasm for both teaching and learning.
● Proven ability to relate well to diverse children and families.
● Knowledge and skill in classroom management, social emotional learning and specific
strategies for developing children's non-cognitive skills such as focus, determination,
empathy and self discipline.
● A strong passion for working with youth.
● Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
● Elementary or Secondary or out of school time teaching experience.
● Georgia State Teaching certification or the equivalent credential or teacher experience
preferred.
● Experience administering reading/math or other assessments and interpreting data.
● Experience teaching reading or language arts in a classroom setting.

The position is seasonal employment.

Physical Aspects of the position:

Additional physical requirements of this position could be endurance, including prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, walking, hiking, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and summer program activities; requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs; and daily exposure to the sun, heat, and bugs.

The position is seasonal employment.

A background check and reference check is required for this position.