Lower School Literacy Specialist: Grades K-3 (Begins Late August 2026)

Francis W. Parker School•Chicago, IL

3d•$70,022 - $133,748

About The Position

Lower School Literacy Specialist: Grades K-3 (Begins Late August 2026) Job Summary: Francis W. Parker School is a renowned JK-12th grade independent day school. Founded in 1901 on the tenets of progressive education, the school currently enrolls 940 students and employs 200 dedicated faculty and staff members who, in addition to assistant teachers, substitute teachers and coaches, work together to ensure that the School lives up to its Mission to educate students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse, democratic society and global community. We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Literacy Specialist to work with teachers and students in grades Kindergarten-3rd. This position is one that supports teachers with assessments, literacy instruction (including reading, word study, and writing), and collaborates with teachers on a regular basis to discuss student progress and form literacy groups. The flexible literacy groups focus on teaching students strategies to further develop fluency, decoding, and comprehension. At times the Literacy Specialist conducts and/or attends team meetings and supervises students. The successful candidate must be flexible in working and collaborating with many different students, teachers, and parents/guardians.

Requirements

M.Ed. in Education with Literacy concentration or M.A., Reading Specialist
Experience as 1st or 2nd grade classroom teacher strongly preferred
Experience in explicit reading instruction focused on decoding and comprehension strategies
Experience using workshop model for instruction
Experience with using and interpreting various reading assessments
Effective organizational skills and strong attention to detail
Understanding of progressive pedagogy and commitment to its tenets
Collaborative manner and coaching skills that support teachers and students
A commitment to building a personal skill set for diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging
Use of anti-bias curriculum and processes when working with elementary age children
Superior communication skills (oral and written), sound judgment, and emotional maturity
Flexibility in thinking and strong problem-solving skills
Enthusiasm for professional development and interest in pursuing further knowledge about pedagogy

Nice To Haves

Experience as 1st or 2nd grade classroom teacher

Responsibilities

supports teachers with assessments
literacy instruction (including reading, word study, and writing)
collaborates with teachers on a regular basis to discuss student progress and form literacy groups
teaching students strategies to further develop fluency, decoding, and comprehension
conducts and/or attends team meetings
supervises students