Becoming a reading specialist is a rewarding career. You’ll help students become better readers, which can lead to better grades and improved confidence in the classroom.
If you’re thinking about becoming a reading specialist, there are a few things you should know. First, it’s important that you have a love for working with students and helping them succeed academically. Second, it’s also helpful if you have experience as an educator or tutor—this will be useful in your new role as reading specialist. Finally, becoming certified as a reading specialist takes time and effort on your part; therefore, make sure you are committed to becoming certified before beginning this journey!
The first step toward becoming a reading specialist is getting an education degree from an accredited school (or program). You’ll need at least an undergraduate degree and some type of graduate-level coursework before applying for certification. After completing your education requirements, find out which state or district has specific guidelines for becoming certified as a reading specialist; these requirements vary from state to state and district to district.
How To Become Reading Specialist
Literacy education is an important tool for many for success in school or in a career. Reading specialists are educators who specifically focus on helping students improve their literacy skills. Understanding how to become a reading specialist can help you learn about the skills and requirements for the profession so you can make plans to begin your career. In this article, we define what a reading specialist is and offer a step-by-step guide about how to become one.
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What is a reading specialist?
Reading specialists are education professionals who help students advance their reading skills. Reading specialists often work with younger children who experience reading difficulties. The specialists help their students learn more about how to read for both entertainment and reading comprehension. This can help the students build skills useful to them as they continue their school career, through college and into the workforce. Specialists can also help older children, teenagers and adults build increased reading skills.
Reading specialists can teach students in small groups or individually. Some reading specialists work together with a primary teacher to assess their students’ literacy education needs and to create plans to help them improve their skills. Reading specialists can also work on their own without communicating with other teachers.
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How to become a reading specialist
Becoming a reading specialist usually takes a combination of education, experience and skills. Learning the steps it takes to build the skills you need can help prepare you to start your career. When choosing to become a reading specialist, consider the following steps:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Since reading specialists are educators, a bachelor’s degree is usually a minimum requirement. Earning your degree in education is most helpful. You can also major in reading, literacy or other literacy-related majors. Noneducation degrees might take continued education, such as a double-major or advanced degree in education, or a certification.
While in college, it’s helpful to take classes that focus on education and literacy. If you hope to teach younger students, focusing on elementary education can help. For older students, secondary education courses can help. Some other topics for courses that can help build a base education for reading specialists include:
- Children’s literature
- Digital literacy
- Young adult literacy
- Picture books and illustrated texts
- Childhood education
2. Become a student teacher
Student teaching is an internship prospective teachers perform as part of their education. Working as a student-teacher helps you earn experience in educating students in a classroom setting. Since you work alongside an experienced teacher, you can learn by having them observe you, offering you advice and letting you ask questions. The student teaching program is often a requirement for graduation for education majors.
As a student teacher, you can observe the way your host teacher interacts with their students and manages their classroom. You can help the teacher during lessons and teach lessons on your own. The teacher might also let you shadow them so you can observe other daily tasks, such as setting up the classroom or creating lesson plans.
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3. Complete a teacher preparation program
You can complete a teacher preparation program while you attend school. Some schools offer the program as part of their education major. The program can offer you additional education and experience about what it’s like to be a teacher. Some of these programs help prepare you for certification and can even provide you with certification once you complete it.
4. Earn your teaching license or certification
Most states have regulations about teachers becoming licensed or certified. Teaching often requires passing your state’s teaching exam, then applying for a license or certificate. Some states have different requirements for degrees, student teaching hours and teacher preparatory programs. In some states, you can earn different certificates depending on which requirements you meet. Consider researching your state’s requirements to help you better understand exactly what can help you earn your certification. Once you earn your license, you can apply for open teaching positions.
5. Gain experience as a teacher
As a licensed teacher, you can gain further experience in educating students and managing your own classroom. You can also gain real-world experience about literacy’s importance and how it can affect your students’ success in the classroom. Teaching experience can also help you learn more about the different ways students learn and how to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
This also helps you build a list of skills and experience to add to your resume as a reading specialist. Teaching experience can help show potential employers your ability to perform your duties and help students. Some employers prefer their reading specialists to have teaching experience as part of their background.
Related: How to Gain Teaching Work Experience
6. Earn a master’s degree
Many reading specialists have a master’s degree. Some states set a master’s degree as a requirement for reading specialists, so it’s helpful to check your local regulations. If you choose to, you can continue to work as a teacher while you attend school to earn your master’s.
If you have your bachelor’s in education, earning your master’s in literacy, literacy education or related areas of study can help you begin your career. Some schools offer reading literacy advanced degrees and provide a path to earning your eventual certification. It’s helpful to research which schools can provide you with the most useful degrees for meeting certification requirements and beginning your career.
Related: Education Specialist Degree vs. Master’s Degree: What’s the Difference?
7. Earn a reading specialist certification
Many states list earning a certification as a requirement for becoming a reading specialist. Certification requirements differ by program. Listed requirements often include a combination of coursework, a practicum or internship and observation by a program-appointed expert. This combination helps you learn new skills, gain new knowledge and practice everything you learn in real-world scenarios.
8. Apply for open positions
After you earn your certification, you can apply for open reading specialist positions. Each employer or school district might have its own requirements for its reading specialists. Even with your experience and certifications, consider researching each position’s specific requirements to understand whether you meet them.
