How to become reading specialist

amother

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 7:30 am

What schooling and training is needed to become a reading specialist? Anyone in the field, I’m interested in how you enjoy what you do, hours, and wondering what your salary is?
Thanx!!

amother

Babypink

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 7:35 am

The ones I know have a degree is special education and then went on to train further. Wilson program in addition to orton Gillingham and more. Most work for the board of Ed p3 etc not hired from the school. If your really good you can take private paying ppl at home but that's after building your name up in school environment.

amother

Feverfew

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 7:39 am

Following. Is it possible to become one without a degree? Would people even look my way if I was certified as a reading or Kriah specialist but not have a degree?

Just_be_happy

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 6:53 pm

Most parents prefer to get someone with a degree because then the reading specialist can get paid through p3/board of ed, and its free for the parents.

amother

Hosta

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 7:14 pm

Depends on your state. In mine, to become certified you need to take certain graduate classes in reading instruction. All certified reading specialists that I know have a masters degree in reading instruction. I don't know about frum schools, but in the public school system here they are paid on the same salary scale as classroom teachers.

amother

Snapdragon

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 7:30 pm

My father is a reading specialist in the PS system. He has a master's.

chocolate moose

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 7:59 pm

my mom is a reading specialist. she has 2 master's degrees.

amother

Eggshell

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 8:01 pm

There are definitely reading specialists in the frum community without a degree as well.

amother

Molasses

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 8:24 pm

Though there are reading specialists without a degree, they generally work through a school with the school paying their fee at least partially.

Before getting DOE services was so common, there were many reading specialists without a degree. That all changed when parents got the option to get it paid by the board of ed. Many reading specialists without a degree struggled with that-some joined up with a school, some train p3 providers with their method and supervise.
So basically most of the reading instruction takes place with people that have degrees so that parents dont have to pay for it.

This is for NYC of course... I don't know about other places

seeker

Sun, Sep 12 2021, 11:57 pm

In most regards, "reading specialist" is not a specific designation with specific criteria, if that's what you're asking. It's not like "psychologist;" any person can hang out a shingle saying they're a reading specialist and nothing will happen. (caveat: I live in my own little bubble located within NY. There may be states in which "reading specialist" is a registered title.)

So a more relevant question is what is your objective in becoming a reading specialist? Is there a particular market or setting in which you want to work? Find out what those people look for in a reading specialist.

I would assume that most employers would be looking for teacher certification and a masters in literacy instruction. If they don't have a literacy master candidate, then they'd probably be looking for teacher certification, a masters in education or special ed, and evidence of post-graduate study or experience in literacy.

There are also specific methods with their own training programs and credentials, such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Lindamood-Bell. There are people who would value that on its own but you would be much more employable if you have teacher certification as well as the specific program credential, since most of these positions are within school systems that would require licensure.

Of course there was also the Rebbetzin who taught kriah to the higher-needs little boys in our yeshiva for I would have to guess at least 60 years and had a wonderful way with children who blossomed in her care. I'm sure you could call her a kriah specialist and she had excellent job security.