Learn all about the steps to become a certified reading specialist, including education and certification requirements.
Do you love working with kids? Do you enjoy teaching and reading? If so, then becoming a certified reading specialist may be the career path for you.
In this article, we'll talk about what a certified reading specialist does and give a step-by-step process you can follow to pursue this rewarding educational career.
What Is a Certified Reading Specialist?
A certified reading specialist is an educator who helps students improve their reading and writing skills.
In most cases, they work with children and teenagers in school settings; more rarely, they may work in private settings or with adults who need extra help in improving their literacy.
Reading specialists excel at tailoring their teaching techniques to the individual needs of their students. They are patient, creative, enthusiastic, encouraging, and compassionate.
Reading specialists are often called upon to work with students who are struggling to read. They may need to use a variety of diagnostic tools to discover what underlying issues are affecting their students' reading ability.
In addition to working with students, reading specialists often provide coaching and instruction to parents and fellow educators to help them more effectively teach their students to read.
Reading specialists often work long hours, including some evenings and weekends, depending on the needs of their students and employers.
Reading specialists are highly-educated professionals who must receive several levels of training and certification before they can begin working in this capacity.
Educators at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, including reading specialists, earn a median income of between $61,000 and $62,000 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Now that you know more about this job, let's discuss what it takes to become a certified reading specialist.
<h2 id="section---Step1ObtainABachelorSDegree">Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree</h2><p>All reading specialists start out as teachers, and teachers are required to hold a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Bachelor_Degree_FAQs.html">bachelor's degree</a> to become certified in their state.
</p><p>Therefore, the first step toward becoming a certified reading specialist is to obtain a bachelor's degree.
</p><p>Most aspiring teachers pursue a Bachelor of Education degree, though many also major in the field they hope to teach, such as history or science.
</p><p>Good degrees for anyone hoping to become a reading specialist include English, literacy, and any reading or literature related degree.
</p><h2 id="section---Step2ObtainAMasterSDegree">Step 2: Obtain a Master's Degree</h2><p>After completing your bachelor's degree, you may choose to spend some time working and gaining experience as a teacher before going back to school for your <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a>.
</p><p>However, if you are certain in your career path of becoming a certified reading specialist and want to do so quickly, you might want to move straight into graduate school.
</p><p>A master's degree in literacy is an excellent choice for aspiring reading specialists. You could also pursue closely related fields such as English or special education.
</p><h2 id="section---Step3BecomeACertifiedTeacher">Step 3: Become a Certified Teacher</h2><p>Before you can begin teaching, you will need to become certified as a teacher.
</p><p>This often involves completing an extensive state-specific training program. You may have received this training as part of your degree program, or you may have to participate in it after you have graduated.
</p><p>You will also need to pass a background check and a certification exam. Once you have received your certification, you are ready to find your first <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Becoming_a_Teaching_Professional.html">job as a teacher</a>.
</p><h2 id="section---Step4BuildOnTheJobExperience">Step 4: Build On-the-Job Experience</h2><p>Gain as much experience in the classroom as you can—whether as a student teacher while working on your degree, a substitute working on a part-time basis, or a regular full-time educator in an elementary, middle, or high school.
</p><p>This is a necessary part of the process of becoming a certified reading specialist. You must gain on-the-job experience before you can qualify for certification as a reading specialist.
</p><p>Working as a teacher will also help you gain experience working with children and give you ample opportunities to apply what you have learned to real-life scenarios.
</p><h2 id="section---Step5BecomeACertifiedReadingSpecialist">Step 5: Become a Certified Reading Specialist</h2><p>Every state has slightly different certification protocols for reading specialists; for example, some states may require more or fewer hours of teaching experience before you can become certified.
</p><p>Find out what is required in your state, and make sure you meet those requirements. Once you've done that, you will need to pass a certification exam.
</p><p>Again, each state's examination process is a little different. In New York, for example, the test consists of completing an essay and answering multiple choice questions. Other states may have slightly different testing methods.
</p><p>At any rate, if you meet all the requirements for reading specialists in your state, then pass the associated certification exam, you will now be considered a certified reading specialist and will be able to apply for jobs in that capacity in your state.
</p><h2 id="section---BecomeACertifiedReadingSpecialistToday">Become a Certified Reading Specialist Today</h2><p>Working as a reading specialist allows you to make a difference in childrens' lives by helping them improve their reading skills. If this sounds like the career path for you, follow the process outlined above to become a certified reading specialist.</p>
