Reading Specialist
Chicago Lights Tutoring and Summer Day

Please send cover letters and resumes to jobs@fourthchurch.org.
No phone calls, please.

Classification: Non-Exempt
Status: Part-time
Reports to: Director, Tutoring and Summer Day

Program Description
Chicago Lights Tutoring supports the academic and personal growth of 300 students a year. We help make bright futures a reality for students by matching them one-to-one with caring adult mentors. These relationships, combined with innovative educational and enrichment resources, mindful practices, and career development, help prepare our students for higher education and future jobs. Summer Day provides dynamic summer learning and enrichment to 100 students through creative academic, arts, and enrichment programming to combat summer learning loss. For six weeks each summer, Summer Day is a safe place for students to learn and grow by sharpening their academic skills in language arts and math and engaging in music, dance, acting, art, and meditation. 

Summary Description
The Reading Specialist for the Chicago Lights Tutoring and Summer Day Programs is responsible for creating and implementing literacy development, improvement, and engagement to all students with a focus on those students needing the most intensive literacy support. The Reading Specialist facilitates instructional planning and activities with 1st-6th grade students and tutor pairs and parents in accordance with program and school literacy assessments; provides grade-level literacy materials, curriculum, and activities aligned with Illinois State Standards; administers literacy assessments to students and tracks results; develops, tracks, and reports on goals and outcomes; and engages with and provides training to parents and tutors on the educational support and enrichment of students.

Why work for us

• Work-life balance 
• Culture where employees gain opportunities to explore a new interest, strengthen friendships and shape lives and communities.

• Professional development opportunities.
• Our location is easily accessible to public transportation, Metra trains, and CTA Transit

Schedule

This is a seasonal part-time position during the months of October and May. 16-18 hours per week are completed Monday-Wednesday 4:00-8:00 pm (in-person) with an additional 4-6 hours of planning as needed that can be completed virtually.
During the months of mid-June through the beginning of August, 16 hours per week are completed Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in person.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement literacy instructional planning, including providing written lesson plans/interventions and conducting intensive literacy support/classes in accordance with assessment results.
• Establish positive learning expectation standards for students, evaluate students' progress, and maintain current and accurate records of students' achievements and grades.
• Implement literacy instructional methods to tutors and parents, including applying contemporary principles of learning theory and teaching methodology and drawing from the range of instructional materials available at the program.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new literacy instructional techniques at the Tutoring and Summer Day Programs, including developing the Common Core State Standards curriculum.
• Set goals, create effective lesson plans/curriculum, and effectively evaluate the progress of the students. 
• Establish and maintain Chicago Lights Tutoring and Summer Day Programs rules to encourage student growth in self-discipline and positive self-concept.
• Exhibit an understanding and respect for students, initiating appropriate conferences with tutors and parents/guardians. Communicate with the tutor and parent/guardian on the student's literacy progress and conduct.
• Modify instruction to meet student’s needs, and work with tutor pairs, parents/guardians, and staff members in providing appropriate literacy material and activities to students.
• Manage and preserve instructional resources, materials, and manipulatives during the program. Effectively work within a budget to equip the program with the necessary literacy resources.
• Communicate program activities and success through communication pieces (newsletter and social media) via the Communication Manager.
• Measure and evaluate Tutoring and Summer Day’s literacy success and work with the development team to communicate that success to funders and donors through the preparation and review of grant proposals and reports.
• Track student progress and interactions within the programs’ database.
• Provide trauma informed care to all, ensuring that program environments and interactions are safe, inviting, and demonstrate best practice.
• Attend staff meetings as required.
• It is impossible to convey every single task into one job description. As the role evolves over time, this job description will be adjusted accordingly.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree and state of Illinois teacher certification in elementary education and/or related fields required.
• Experience in teaching Reading and knowledge of current reading teaching strategies, methodologies, and Common Core State Standards.
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Experience teaching students with learning disabilities is preferred, but not required.

• Experience in working with high-performing, collaborative, and constructive peers.
• Deep understanding of and commitment to providing trauma-informed care.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details.
• Strong work ethic, judgment, and a commitment to Chicago Lights’ mission.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: Recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities and work toward amplifying community voices to advocate for equity. Recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

COVID-19 Considerations

At this time, masks are welcomed but not required. We will adjust this as the pandemic continues. In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from Fourth Presbyterian Church or Chicago Lights, you will be required to share proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. This requirement is subject to accommodation in compliance with applicable laws.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform essential functions.

• If the current health conditions dictate, one must be able to participate in online virtual communications, including email, video conferencing, and other online tools used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing.
• Smoke- and drug (illegal or recreational)-free environment.
• Fourth aims for accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. The employee is regularly required to communicate effectively via computer, via phone, and in person.
• This role requires frequent sitting.
• Fourth Presbyterian Church’s and Chicago Lights office is in downtown Chicago

EEO Statement

Fourth Presbyterian Church is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status or familial status, veteran status, military status, source of income, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Fourth Church seeks to build and retain a diverse staff and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. Fourth Church is committed to elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, low-income people, LGBQ+, and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and young parents. We encourage people from these communities to apply.

Please send cover letters and resumes to jobs@fourthchurch.org.
No phone calls, please.

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