Why I became a Reading Specialist

I became a Reading Specialist because this portfolio afforded me the opportunity to assist teachers in planning interventions for struggling readers. During my years of teaching Social Studies at the secondary level I encountered a number of students, who had severe reading problems. I felt handicapped because I was unable to assist them. I had no idea how to diagnose, or even plan an intervention to assist them. I felt very inadequate, as a teacher I should have been able to help them. I felt that somehow I had failed them. Furthermore, I have been employed both as a “Reading Facilitator” and a “Reading Specialist” without any training. I was painfully aware that I lacked the knowledge and skills to do justice to either jobs. I have been waiting for many years for the university to start a reading programme, I therefore did not hesitate to join the Masters in Reading Programme. I knew that it was going to give me the skills I need to be able to help struggling readers, as well as teachers of struggling readers. Finally ,I have always dreamed of starting a reading clinic for struggling adults in my community , this programme will give me the knowledge, skills and strategies to be able to realize this dream.