Educators who go on to obtain a master’s degree in literacy will find that many career paths become possible. In addition to teaching private, charter and public schools in grades P-12, some teachers go on to work in special education, research and higher education, teaching undergraduate courses in literacy for community colleges or as adjuncts at universities.
Graduates who complete a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy online program, like the one from Eastern Washington University (EWU), can pursue specialized roles as a reading specialist, literacy specialist, Title 1 reading specialist or district reading curriculum specialist. These literacy education careers offer opportunities to make a significant impact on student reading achievement and instructional quality.
Reading Specialist
A Reading Specialist creates programs specific to the needs of the students and helps those who are struggling to read. In addition, a reading specialist can assess and diagnose students and work with teachers, parents and other specialists to create effective reading programs.
Many literacy specialists also serve as literacy coaches, providing individual coaching and professional development to classroom teachers. For students who need personal assistance to improve their reading level, a literacy coach can coordinate with the main classroom teacher to provide targeted intervention strategies.
Title 1 Reading Specialist
According to the U.S. Department of Education, a Title 1 Reading Specialist works with schools that have “high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.” The Title 1 reading teacher serves as a resource for all classroom teachers, helping recommend techniques and providing observations based on individual teacher needs.
Reading specialists provide support through administering reading assessments, evaluating test scores and collaborating with classroom teachers. These collaborative efforts help identify student learning gaps and implement targeted instructional strategies to improve reading outcomes.
District Reading Curriculum Specialist
A District Reading Curriculum Specialist helps district leadership develop and implement literacy programs throughout the school district. At the district level, this specialist creates guidelines that teachers use to form their lesson plans.
Utilizing research and teaching techniques, the reading curriculum specialist serves as a resource for educators, parents and the community. Additionally, this specialist helps set district standards and develop assessment tools, aiding teachers in administering and interpreting assessment results.
Reading Specialist Salary and Career Outlook
According to PayScale, reading specialists earn an average salary of $61,343. Educators with a master’s degree in literacy average approximately $55,000 annually.
These specialized literacy education positions typically offer higher earning potential than general teaching roles. This makes an M.Ed. in literacy a valuable career investment for reading teachers seeking advancement.
The Growing Need for Literacy Specialists and Reading Teachers
The International Literacy Association emphasizes the critical role of literacy specialists and reading teachers in literacy education. The organization notes that teaching all children to read requires that every child receive excellent reading instruction, and that children who are struggling with reading receive additional instruction from professionals specifically prepared to teach them. To support successful reading programs in schools, professionals with advanced preparation, specialized training and reading specialist certification are essential.
Many reading specialists and literacy coaches work in elementary schools, middle schools and secondary schools. However, they are also involved in adult literacy, and in private reading clinics and tutoring centers.
Eastern Washington University offers an online Master of Education in Literacy program that is convenient, flexible and affordable. This master’s in reading education provides preparation for the many and varied opportunities available to teachers with a master’s degree in literacy, including roles as reading specialists, literacy coaches and curriculum specialists
Learn more about the Eastern Washington University online M.Ed. in Literacy program.
