Becoming a Reading Specialist

There I was in my professor's office attempting to make a huge life decision.What was I going to focus on in graduate school? It felt like an eeny-meeny-miney mo game as a I read the options. When my eyes read Reading Specialist listed, I'm pretty sure I heard the angels sing announcing that this was for me. I was (am) a reader. I loved sharing my excitement about books. Why not share the passion I had for reading with the world? or kids? Knowing me, I probably didn't read the full description about what a Reading Specialist was. I was just ready to jump and get started. While that is plausible, I also think that the role of a Reading Specialist differs from district to district as I was able to serve in this role in two Texas school districts and I can attest to that.

At the time I was making this decision, I was excited. I was convinced I had found how I would change the world! With so much experience as a reader, I was just going to create my own Oprah phenomenon and help kids learn to love reading! I enjoyed my graduate work, especially my children's literature class. Explore books. Read children's books. Yes, please!

When I was granted my first Reading Specialist assignment, I quickly found out that the job description did not quite fit into what my idyllic vision of the job was. I was a bit disillusioned because I primarily worked with students who either struggled or flat out did not like to read. I found myself questioning, "How am I going to share my enthusiasm for reading with kids who find it difficult and a chore?" Luckily my graduate work had set me up with the tools I needed to do just that plus the additional training I received through trainings provided by my district. In retrospect I see that it wasn't ever about me and my (maybe) Pollyanna vision, it was all for students who needed to be taught to read and not just the fun of it. I don't recall easy days. Most of the time there was quite a struggle. As years have gone by and I hear from former students I have worked with and see that they are out in the world living life successfully, I know that it was all worth it.

I have learned that my life and career definitely had (have had) a defined purpose. Children, parents, and teachers needed me to share my enthusiasm for the written word, but it had to be done differently than I first thought it would go. When I moved to my final assignment in my last school district, I was able to step back and see how drained I had become, but hadn't stopped to see it. I am not lamenting about it, but certainly being introspective of all that transpired over 22 years I spent as a Reading Specialist. I have also learned the lesson that when things don't go the way you expected, you can accept the change and make your best attempt at doing what you can in your power. You never know how many lives you will impact either directly or indirectly.

It remains my immense joy to read as much as I can and share enthusiasm with all who are willing to listen and interact with me in discussions about books. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope that you are enjoying a good book, a magazine, a comic book--- any kind of reading that brings you joy!