Resource Teachers: Literacy

Appointment

Committee for appointments | Applicants' information package | Criteria for selection | Recommended referee information | Recommended interview question topics | Confirming the appointment | Advertisement template

Committee for appointments

The appointment panel should include:

• the host school principal
• a principal representative from the management committee
• a professional in the teaching of students with literacy difficulties
• an RT:Lit from the same host school or a nearby cluster.

Applicants' information package

The package sent to applicants should include:

• the job description
• salary information
• training information
• information about the RT:Lit service, including the nature of the position, travel, use of own car, and responsibilities
• information about the host school
• information about the cluster schools
• a request for information about successful literacy initiatives the applicant has achieved.

Criteria for selection

Criteria for the selection of an RT:Lit should include:

• successful classroom teaching experience with strengths and a school role in reading and writing (to be checked with referees)
• the ability to develop and monitor individual programmes for children with serious literacy difficulties
• academic qualifications in the literacy field, such as Reading Recovery training or academic papers in reading and/or language
• the ability to liaise with parents, teachers, and professional agencies
• a willingness to work in a number of schools on an itinerant basis and provide their own transport (and being reimbursed for approved travel)
• the ability to work within the cluster schools and develop empathy with students and teachers in those schools.

Recommended referee information

Information from referees should include confirmation of the applicant's ability to:

• work with and help others - teachers, parents, and children
• implement successful classroom practice and literacy initiatives
• meet deadlines and solve problems
• set their own goals
• work as part of a team
• keep records and statistics
• report clearly and concisely to others.

Recommended interview question topics

In the interview, areas to question the applicants include:

• their literacy knowledge, experience, and qualifications
• their relationship with children, parents, and teachers
• their record and statistics keeping
• their problem-solving ability, particularly with regard to addressing literacy learning for children with serious literacy difficulties
• their ability to work on their own when necessary - to make professional decisions, to develop programmes, to manage time and resources, and to manage a budget
• matters regarding the host school
• matters regarding the itinerant nature of the position
• their ability to work with other specialist teachers - for example, ESOL, vision, and hearing
• their willingness to undertake the required RT:Lit training.

Confirming the appointment

When a suitable applicant has been selected, the appointment should be confirmed in writing, stating:

• the terms of employment
• the position, including the names of the host and cluster schools
• the salary and tenure of the appointment
• the date of commencement.

The successful applicant should also receive a copy of the collective employment agreement and a letter stating the terms of their employment.

Written acceptance should be received from the appointed applicant. The successful applicant must also agree in writing that they have completed the approved RT:Lit training or will complete it within agreed timeframes (unless the Ministry of Education has granted an exemption).

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