Amanda Haynes

Reading Specialist/Coach Essay

March 16, 2015
READ 680

The duties of a reading specialist and a reading coach often

overlap and are sometimes confused. Both reading specialists and
literacy coaches serve as building leaders in literacy instruction, and
both support the goal of improving student achievement (Toll, 2014,
p. 11). A reading specialist more often works directly with students and
also works on developing and implementing the curriculum. Where as,
a reading coach works more closely with teachers on improving
students achievement. Reading specialists and reading coaches both
provide teachers with professional development as also provide the
principal with concerns and issues regarding the literacy levels in their
schools. In some schools, a person is both the reading specialist and
the reading coach. In this situation, one needs to make sure they
balance all of their time effectively so equal attention is given to both
duties (Toll, 2014).
More specifically, a reading specialist:

Support students, parents, and administrators, as well as

teachers
Frequently provide direct instruction to students on a daily basis
Provide evaluations of students for a variety of reasons,
including curriculum monitoring, student diagnosis, and

monitoring teacher and school effectiveness

Work directly with teachers to an extent but do not necessarily

focus work on this area

When working with teachers may be responding to teachers
needs and concerns but also may be directing teachers to meet

requirements or implement mandatory programs (Toll, 2014, p.

12).
In comparison, a reading coach:

Emphasize support for teachers, although support for others also

may take place

Provide direct instruction to students primarily to demonstrate
for teachers or to support teachers in their instructional decision

making
Spend a great amount of time working directly with teachers in

individual and small-group meetings

Work with teachers mostly in response to teachers needs and
concerns (Toll, 2014, p. 12).

Literacy coaches provide job-embedded professional development

to enhance teacher reflection, leading to better teacher decision
making. Effective coaching attends to the characteristics of adult
learners and promotes collaboration and reflection. Ultimately,
literacy coaching, when done well, results in greater student
achievement (Toll, 2014, p. 14).
With both careers it is extremely important to be an understanding
and supportive person. Teachers need to feel comfortable to be able to
approach a reading specialist and/or reading coach. I would love to be
in a school setting where the tasks of a reading coach and reading
specialist are shared. I find that both careers are beneficial and vital in
a school setting, but if I had to choose one over the other, I would

choose a reading specialist. I choose a reading specialist over a

reading coach because I want the opportunity to work more closely
each day with students, evaluating and monitoring their success.

References
Toll, C.A. (2014). The literacy coachs survival guide: Essential
questions and practical answers (2nd ed.). Newark, DE: International
Reading Association.