2026-2027 | Literacy Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

About Prep

Boston Prep is a college-preparatory charter public district, made up of a single-site middle and high school. In 2025-2026, our community will include 700 students in grades 6-12, nearly 500 alumni, over 150 faculty members, and hundreds of families. The majority of our students and families reside in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Hyde Park. As a charter public school, we welcome all students via an impartial public lottery, and hold the same high expectations and ambitions for all of our students, including those with special needs and English language learners.

Mission

At Boston Prep, our mission is to prepare students to succeed in a four-year college and embody, in thought and action, lifelong ethical growth. We foster an environment structured around accelerating academic growth, as demonstrated by our extended school day and school year.We believe that to do this work effectively, relationships are the heart of our community and an understanding of anti-racism is critical in serving our community effectively.

To achieve our ambitious goals, our approach includes six essential beliefs that we believe leads to our success:

1. We have an exceptional adult team; we areOne Team.
2. We hold high expectations for all students.
3. We foster ethical growth, inside and outside of the classroom.
4. We have an invested, passionate student culture, balanced by structure and joy.
5. We offer a range of support, academic, social, and emotional, to all students.
6. We ensure college persistence through a number of student and alumni support.

Values

Our mission guides Boston Prep and our values guide how we work together as a One Team. Our values hold us accountable to ourselves, to one another, to our students, and to our families. They remind us of how we strive to do the work of our achieving mission together, united as a One Team. Our One Teams values:

1. We are mission driven.
2. Everyone is here for the same reasons.
3. Organizational changes are required to achieve the mission.
4. We believe all of us, in every step of our journey, have room to improve.
5. Staff actions drive student results.

Ideal Candidate

At Boston Prep, we believe that every teacher has the power to make a difference in the lives of our students. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging where all students feel seen, heard, and valued. As a teacher with us, you will have the opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation, while also making a meaningful impact on your own career.You embody the mindset that kids do well if we believe they can.

We recognize that representation matters, and we strive to ensure that our students see themselves reflected in their teachers and leaders. We believe that a team of diverse leaders and teaching staff enhances our students' educational experience and fosters a deeper sense of belonging. As a teacher at Boston Prep, you will have the opportunity to work alongside a team of passionate educators who are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

We are committed to providing our teachers with the coaching and resources they need to thrive. We offer ongoing professional development opportunities and a supportive work environment where your contributions are valued and recognized.

If you are a dedicated educator who is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and respect, we invite you to join our team. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students and build a brighter future for our community.

As a Literacy Specialist

You believe in creating an educational experience where students are able to see themselves reflected in the content of your class.

Essential Job Functions:

Direct Literacy Intervention Instruction (25%)

• Provide targeted, evidence-based literacy interventions to middle school students who are reading below grade level or require additional support in reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and writing
• Use diagnostic data (i-Ready, MCAS, interim assessments) to identify student needs, design intervention plans, and monitor progress
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and intervention data, reporting regularly on student growth to the school leadership team and MTSS Team
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to align intervention work with core literacy instruction and provide students with coherent, reinforcing support

DEAR Block Coordination (10%)

• Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of the schools Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Block, ensuring all students engage in meaningful independent reading
• Develop and deliver professional development for faculty on best practices for DEAR Block implementation, including strategies for student engagement, book selection, and reading accountability
• Monitor DEAR Block effectiveness through classroom observations, student surveys, and reading data; make recommendations for programmatic adjustments
• Coordinate with the library to ensure students have access to high-interest, culturally responsive texts at appropriate reading levels

Library Management (50%)

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the school library, including collection development, cataloging, circulation, and maintaining an organized, welcoming space for students
• Curate a diverse, high-quality collection that reflects student interests and identities while supporting literacy development across genres and reading levels
• Promote a culture of reading through book talks, displays, student recommendations, and other library programming
• Manage the library budget and coordinate book orders in collaboration with the CAO

MTSS Team Participation (15%)

• Attend regular MTSS Team meetings to review student data, discuss intervention effectiveness, and make recommendations for students requiring tiered supports
• Contribute literacy expertise to the development and refinement of school-wide systems for identifying, supporting, and monitoring at-risk students
• Collaborate with special education staff, counselors, and administrators to ensure coordinated support for students with complex needs

Compensation:

• The pay range for this role is: $74,406 - $125,759.

Qualifications include:

Experience:

• Previous teaching experience is preferred, in a charter school setting is a plus. Experience with diverse student populations and inclusive education practices is a plus.

Education, Certifications, and Licensure:

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree in Education, Literacy, Reading, or related field preferred
• Valid Massachusetts teaching license (English Language Arts, Reading Specialist, or similar credential preferred)
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience teaching literacy or providing literacy interventions to middle or high school students
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based literacy instruction, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing strategies
• Strong data literacy skills, with experience using assessment data to inform instructional decisions and monitor student progress
• Experience working in an urban public school setting; charter school experience a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in reading instruction (e.g., Wilson Reading System, Orton-Gillingham, LETRS)
• Experience coordinating literacy programs or initiatives at the school level
• Library science coursework or experience with library management systems
• Familiarity with MTSS frameworks and experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus

Core Competencies

• Data-Driven Instruction: Ability to analyze literacy data, identify patterns, and make instructional adjustments to maximize student growth
• Relationship Building: Skill in building trusting, supportive relationships with students, particularly those who have experienced literacy challenges or frustration
• Program Coordination: Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple initiatives (DEAR Block, library operations) simultaneously
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and support staff to create coherent literacy systems
• Cultural Responsiveness: Commitment to selecting texts and designing instruction that reflect and honor students diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Continuous Improvement: Willingness to seek feedback, reflect on practice, and continuously refine literacy programming based on student outcomes

Success Metrics

Effectiveness in this role will be measured by:

• Student Achievement: Increased percentage of students achieving Meeting or Exceeding Expectations on MCAS ELA, particularly among students receiving literacy interventions
• College Readiness: Increased percentage of students meeting the College Boards EWR benchmark on the SAT
• Intervention Progress: Documented student growth on i-Ready diagnostics and interim assessments for students in literacy intervention groups
• Program Quality: High-quality implementation of DEAR Block as measured by classroom observations, student engagement data, and teacher feedback
• Library Utilization: Increased library circulation rates and student engagement with independent reading
• MTSS Contribution: Active participation in MTSS Team processes and effective collaboration with colleagues to support at-risk students

For more information, please visit our website at

One Mission. One Team. One School. We are Boston Prep.

At Boston Preparatory School we acknowledge barriers to opportunities that exist within the job seeking market. Many potential candidates shy away from applying due to lack of confidence in their skills and imposter syndrome. As we do our part to dismantle these barriers within our own recruitment processes, we encourage candidates from all walks of life, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, to apply and make positive change within the lives of our students.