Reading Specialist (Retired Educator)

Middle School Reading Specialist Location: Ferguson Middle School Status: Part-Time Certified Instructional Support | Non-Exempt (FLSA) | Designed for Retired Educators Work Schedule: Flexible Part-Time Schedule (Up to 550 total hours per academic year; daily hours coordinated around building needs and school calendar) The Opportunity: Reigniting a Passion for Reading in adolescents In Ferguson-Florissant, our "New Chapter" is intensely focused on middle school literacy, academic recovery, and closing the reading achievement gap before students transition to high school.

We are seeking a highly skilled, veteran educator to serve as a Part-Time Middle School Reading Specialist . This position is tailored specifically for retired teachers who want to stay connected to the classroom and make a profound academic impact without the demands of full-time teaching, lesson planning, or grading.

In this role, you will apply your years of classroom wisdom to deliver targeted, small-group reading interventions to middle school scholars who need a strong push to reach grade-level proficiency. If you are looking to utilize your expertise on a highly flexible, part-time schedule, your next chapter starts here. Salary & Compensation Flat Hourly Rate: $45.

00 per hour . Maximum Allowable Hours: Up to 550 total hours for the school year. This cap is intentionally aligned with Missouri PEERS/PSRS retirement guidelines, allowing retired educators to earn extra income without impacting their retirement benefits.

Benefits

This is a part-time position and does not include district-paid medical benefits or retirement system contributions.

Role Summary

The Part-Time Middle School Reading Specialist diagnoses specific reading deficits and delivers targeted, research-based literacy interventions to individuals or small groups of middle school students. Reporting directly to the Building Principal and working in close alignment with ELA classroom teachers, you will utilize advanced phonetic, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies to rapidly accelerate student reading growth.

Why You'll Succeed (Qualifications) Certified Specialist (Required): Must hold and maintain a valid Missouri Reading Specialist Certification (Grades K-12 or similar secondary endorsement) issued by DESE. The Veteran Literacy Expert: Prior experience as a Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, or Middle School English Language Arts teacher is highly preferred.

This role is ideal for a retired educator with a deep toolbelt of intervention strategies. Adolescent Reading Mastery: Advanced knowledge of the science of reading, specifically regarding adolescent literacy development, phonological gaps in older readers, vocabulary acquisition, and high-level comprehension strategies.

Data-Driven Practice: Ability to quickly interpret reading assessment data (such as inventory tests or lexile levels) to design hyper-focused, small-group lesson blocks. Outstanding Rapport: An exceptional ability to build trust and connection with middle school scholars, transforming reading frustration into academic confidence.

Your Impact (Key Duties) Targeted Interventions: Pull small groups of middle school scholars to deliver high-impact reading interventions focused on fluency, structural analysis, academic vocabulary, and critical comprehension. Diagnostic Tracking: Routinely assess student progress using informal reading inventories to adjust your small-group compositions and intervention strategies.

Teacher Alignment: Collaborate briefly with classroom ELA teachers to ensure your specialized pull-out sessions directly reinforce core classroom instruction and curriculum themes. Literacy Advocacy: Introduce engaging, age-appropriate high-interest/low-readability texts that spark curiosity and lower the affective filter for struggling adolescent readers.

Positive Climate Support: Maintain a structured, encouraging environment that honors middle school students' emotional needs while pushing for high academic growth. Your Leadership Partners Primary Support: Lead ELA Teachers, Building Literacy Coaches, & Assistant Principals Administrative Evaluator: Building Principal The Logistics of Your Success Classification: Part-Time Certified Support Staff.

Work Setting: Middle school campus, utilizing designated intervention labs, classrooms, or the media center. Physical Readiness: Comfort working eye-to-eye with small groups of students, reading aloud, and moving comfortably around a school campus.

Benefits

This is a part-time, non-benefited role. It does not carry district-paid medical insurance or retirement contributions. The FFSD Advantage: Peak Flexibility for Veteran Professionals We don't just hire specialists; we value the profound wisdom of our veteran educators. Protect Your Retirement: The 550-hour structural cap lets you give back to the profession you love, stay active in public education, and earn a premium hourly rate, all while completely safeguarding your retirement status.

Pure Instruction, Zero Fluff: Enjoy a role where your sole responsibility is doing what you do best�teaching kids how to read. No endless staff meetings, no lesson plan submissions, no standard playground duties, and no parent-teacher conference nights. The Perfect Calendar: Your hours map beautifully to the standard school week.

No weekends, no evenings, no holidays, and no summers. About Our District The Ferguson-Florissant School District is fiercely committed to the "New Chapter" of equitable literacy. We believe that reading is a civil right and the ultimate equalizer for our middle school scholars. Join our team and be the expert guide who helps our students unlock their full potential and open new doors to their future.

Hiring Timeline Application Deadline: July 24, 2026 Ready to use your classroom wisdom to spark a love of reading in our middle school scholars on a flexible schedule? Apply online to join our specialist team today!