The role of a reading specialist is multi-faceted: it includes working with aspiring learners and providing support for colleagues by modeling effective strategies for helping K-12 students. Rider’s reading specialist endorsement is designed for educators interested in advanced study of research-based literacy strategies for working with children and adolescents and for learning methods for supporting colleagues across the grade levels and disciplines as a literacy teacher leader.
Rider University’s revised and updated reading specialist endorsement was approved by the New Jersey Department of Education in September, 2025.
The approved program is available for students pursuing the M.A. in Teacher Leadership degree or the M.A. in Special Education at Rider University. The endorsement only option is available for candidates with an earned M.A.in reading/literacy or a related field completed at Rider or another institution.
Initial teaching certification is the first step while additional certifications, endorsements and degrees add qualifications to an existing license.
Professor
Department of Teacher Education
Bierenbaum Fisher Hall
hcasey [at] rider.edu
609-895-5646
Academic Focus: Literacy Education
