ELL/ESL Reading Specialist (Full-time, Exempt)

By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christian after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and soul. Located in Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand helps children have abundant life. The culture of By The Hand is Christ-centered, people-focused and results-oriented. While loving and nurturing, By The Hand has a strong results orientation, a very structured program, and a growth mindset that believes with hard work we can all continue to learn and grow. 

By The Hand is a not-for-profit, religious organization. Individuals employed by By The Hand are working in ministerial roles and perform all or some of the following responsibilities: sharing the Gospel, teaching chapel, leading Bible studies, discipling students, and modeling behavior that is consistent with Christ’s teaching. 

Position Title: ELL/ESL Reading Specialist (Full-time, Exempt) 

Overview of Position
Under the supervision of the VP of Learning, the ELL/ESL Reading Specialist is responsible for identifying and addressing reading deficiencies for students in 3rd grade through high school in a bilingual location. This position requires a self-motivated and focused leader with a background in teaching reading, crafting lessons, and locating materials to fit the individual needs of students and foster their reading growth.

Duties/Responsibilities
• Performs in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission, and culture of By The Hand and ensures excellence in every aspect of the overall operation.
• Models cultural values of By the Hand Club for Kids in day-to-day behavior.
• Follows all policies as outlined in the operational guide, including maintaining brand standards and ensuring 100% adherence to the Child Protection Policy.
• Identifies 3rd grade-high school students at risk in reading using data and recommendations and creates a schedule for tutoring sessions.
• Keeps organized student records including reading growth, attendance, and anecdotal records of progress put into a final end of the year report.
• Analyzes and uses data from our computerized reading program(s) to monitor student growth and needs.
• Monitors and provides support to blended learning programs at the site and team leaders’ understanding of it.
• Researches resources and creates weekly lesson plans that address the reading needs of tutoring students.
• Guides students through reading activities designed to help them overcome obstacles to literacy.
• Helps students become more proficient in English and address any literacy needs in students’ primary and/or secondary language.
• Holds or participates in two literacy events throughout the year.

Required Skills/Abilities
• A personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ
• This position requires a Christ-like servant who has a sense of calling and models Biblical principles.
• Member or active participant in a Bible-believing church.
• Is adept at sharing the Gospel and does so whenever the opportunity arises with job candidates, students, parents and the community at large.
• Adheres to our Employee Standards of Living.
• Exemplifies By The Hand core values.
• Desires to be informed about trends and issues found in reading research.
• Passion and commitment for urban student transformation in the area of literacy.
• Willingness to promote and encourage student growth and progress.
• Believes in being a team player, but able to function well independently.
• Outstanding ability to problem solve and demonstrate flexibility.
• Possesses strong relationship building skills with adults and adolescents.

Education and Experience
• A Bachelor’s degree and/or certification in Education or Reading
• ESL/ELL training and/or experience
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Knowledge of the components and techniques for teaching reading
• Ability to assess student’s literacy skills and needs
• Comfortable using Google Suite
Student Metrics
• Improved student metrics including attendance and retention, reading scores, students reading at/above grade level and academic goals.
• Impact of activities at time of execution.
• Maintains thirty-five students (total) in tutoring groups.

Student Metrics
• Improved student metrics including attendance and retention, reading scores, students reading at/above grade level and academic goals.
• Impact of activities at time of execution.
• Maintains thirty-five students (total) in tutoring groups.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and copy machines.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to speak and listen. This role may require you to move equipment from room to room and lift up to 50 pounds. The individual is also
required to travel throughout the city and to other organization sites to meet with partners, candidates, and staff. 

Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities described are not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be required to perform
additional functions as necessitated by business demands. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employment with By The Hand Club For Kids is at will, and the employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.