The Reading Specialist

Rita M. Bean, PhD, is Professor Emerita in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she served as Director of the Reading Center for 25 years. Prior to joining the university, she taught at the elementary school level and also served as a reading supervisor for grades K-12. Dr. Bean has developed elementary and middle school reading curriculum materials and has published in many different journals and monographs on the topics of reading curriculum; assessment and instruction in reading; professional development; and the role of reading specialists and literacy coaches (K-12). She is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame and a former board member of the International Reading Association (IRA; International Literacy Association), and served as Chair of the IRA’s Commission on the Role of the Reading Specialist. Dr. Bean received the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the University’s Distinguished Service Award for her community and outreach efforts in improving literacy.

1. The Role of Reading Specialists and Literacy Coaches in Schools, Classrooms, and Communities
2. Working with Students: An Overview of the Instructional Role
3. The Instructional Role: Initiating, Implementing, and Evaluating
4. Leadership of the Reading Specialist: What Does It Mean?
5. Professional Learning: The New Professional Development
6. Coaching: Improving Classroom and School Literacy Instruction
7. What Coaches Do to Improve Instruction: Working with Individual Teachers
8. Developing a School Literacy Program: Facilitating School Change
9. Assessment of Classroom and School Reading Programs
10. School, Community, and Family Partnerships
11. Writing Proposals
12. The Reading Specialist as Lifelong Learner: Addressing Challenges and Changes
Appendix A. The Observation Cycle
Appendix B. Observation Protocol for Content-Area Instruction
Appendix C. Sample Observation Form
Appendix D. Aligning Curriculum to Common Core State Standards
Appendix E. Preparation for Job Interviews
Appendix F. Ideas for Course or Workshop Instructors