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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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

Compensation:

Salary Range: Approximately $70,022 - $133,748

Faculty positions are paid on a step-level salary scale, commensurate with background and years of experience. Francis W. Parker School provides an excellent employee benefits program, including but not limited to: health and dental insurance, term and supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA’s), commuter benefits, and 403b retirement plan. Information on Parker’s comprehensive benefits package can be found here.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume (no telephone inquiries please).

The faculty, staff and administration of Francis W. Parker School are integral parts of the School's community. Through their passion, dedication and commitment to the School's mission, they create and support an environment where exceptional child-centered learning can occur.

Francis W. Parker School is committed to cultivating a community of dedicated students, parents, faculty and staff, trustees, administrators and alumni, who acknowledge, respect, and esteem diversity in our school; and who reflect, through their presence, the diversity of Chicago communities and the wider world.

Francis W. Parker School is an equal opportunity employer.