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Pletcher, B. C., Hudson, A. K., John, L., & Scott, A. (2018). Coaching on Borrowed Time: Balancing the Roles of the Literacy Professional. The Reading Teacher, 72(6), 689–699. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1777

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Specialized Learning Professionals very often have dual roles in school, expected to work with struggling readers and readers groups, as well as spending time coaching and guiding teachers in best literacy practices. It can be an overwhelming role, but with starting small, planning and scheduling, setting boundaries, and seeking support from administrators, SLPs can have a position that is incredibly rewarding.

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Currently, I am a kindergarten teacher in a school with no literacy specialist, and no cohesiveness in the way language skills are presented.  My school is full of AMAZING teachers, but the lack of continuity between grade levels, the absence of regular, scheduled help for our struggling readers, and the random use of data makes us less effective  than we should be in the area of reading and literacy.  This article gives a clear picture of what a literacy specialist (me) could do for my school.
"Through  thoughtful  reflection  and  careful  planning,  SLPs  who  find  themselves in the hybrid role of interventionist and

literacy  coach  will  be  able  to  embrace  the  position  and see the benefits of their work." (Fletcher et al, 2018, p698)

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To be successful, SLPs must develop a flexible schedule that allows time to work with both students and colleagues.
Another helpful tip is to seek topics that balance the needs of everyone: students ad teachers alike!
The most hopeful detail presented in this article is that SLPs have the opportunity to help both students and teachers.
"Having the opportunity to spend each day helping both students and teachers deepen their literacy knowledge reaps

rewards  found  in  no  other  role." (Pletcher et al, 2018 p698)

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One of the biggest frustrations apparent after reading the article is the multiple roles that SLPs must hold within a school.  Dual roles: "In  many  schools  today,  SLPs  are  expected  to  not  only  provide  intervention  to  students  but  also  coach  classroom  teachers  on  best  practices  for  literacy  instruction (Bean et al., 2015; Galloway & Lesaux, 2014). Literacy professionals in this blended role of reading  specialist  and  coach  often  stated  that  there

was  simply  not  enough  time  in  the  day  to  effectively manage both positions (Hudson & Pletcher, 2016)."

Time management:  Without setting a schedule and boundaries, SLPs will have a very difficult and will often be overwhelmed and unable to feel successful at their endeavors.   Dual roles can be incredibly difficult to manage.

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This article gives a very accurate, honest, and detailed look at what the job of a literacy professional might entail.
Literacy Coach A literacy coach is someone who “partners with teachers for job-embedded

professional learning that enhances teachers’ reflec-

tion on students, the curriculum, and pedagogy for the  purpose  of  more  effective  decision  making” (Pletcher et al, 2018, p689)

Reading Specialist A reading specialist is an experienced educator with a strong background

in  literacy  who  provides  instruction  to  struggling

readers  and  promotes  the  literacy  performance  of  a  school.

Hybrid This is a role created for a Literacy Professional combining the roles of literacy coach and reading specialist.
How to manage the roles
Specialists must reflect

and act on strategies of how to balance the role of

reading interventionist and literacy coach for success.

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My goal, after completing this degree, is to become a reading specialist or a literacy coach. This article directly relates to what I will be doing, and is a very honest and realistic look at a profession that can be very overwhelming and rewarding at the same time.  Specifically, this article is extremely helpful in describing the differences between the two jobs, and the situations that may arise in balancing of roles. The information presented in this article will help me to realistically prepare for my future, and allow me to best serve students and colleagues.