Careers: Reading Specialist

Do you have a passion for literacy and children, and want a career that allows you to utilize those passions? Consider a career as a reading specialist. Maybe you have considered a career in the classroom as a teacher, but do not really want to be in charge of a large classroom of students. Well, a career as a reading specialist could be a great fit for you.

To become a reading specialist, you must have a Master's degree from an accredited program. If you are already a certified teacher, you can obtain a reading specialist add on to your certificate. Or you can enter a Reading Specialist program through an accredited university. Most programs take about two years to complete. Research which schools offer the best options in terms of credit hour requirements for program completion, online learning opportunities, and the cost of the program.

What does the average day for a reading specialist look like? Most reading specialists meet with small groups of students who are having trouble reading, and work with them in small groups to help them master reading. The amount of time you spend with various groups depends on the school, and how schedules are set up. But, reading specialists do not have a large classroom of students to tend to. In some cases, you may have one student in a given class period that you can work with. Reading specialists usually work with the classroom teachers, and offer feedback on how to help the struggling reader gain literacy success in the regular classroom.

So, if you have a passion for helping struggling readers navigate through the often frustrating journey of mastering reading, then becoming a Reading Specialist may be the perfect career for you. It is a great career because you do not have the stress of having a large classroom of struggling readers, and are therefore better able to tailor your instruction to meet the needs of the small group of students that are assigned to you. Most students benefit greatly from learning in small class sizes.

What better way to impact the lives of students who have reading challenges than to become a Reading Specialist, and provide expert instruction and analysis to help students jumpstart success in the classroom and beyond. Research schools in your area that offer a Reading Specialist program, and enroll. You will be steps away from entering a rewarding profession that helps to impact student's lives forever. The power of reading is one of many tools that helps provide a strong foundation for success in life.