Literacy Specialist

Reports to: Principal
Salary: $55,000–60,000
Position: Full-Time, Exempt (2-year grant position)
Start Date: 8/24/26

About Mother Caroline Academy And Education Center

Mother Caroline Academy is a tuition-free, independent school for girls in grades 3-8 from Boston’s underserved neighborhoods. Serving girls of all faiths, races, and cultures, the school provides a high-quality education that nurtures each student’s unique gifts and prepares her for success in competitive secondary schools and college. Rooted in Catholic tradition, MCA emphasizes scholarship, leadership, social, and moral development. The Academy supports its graduates through secondary and college education, with a 100% high school graduation rate and 96% college enrollment rate.

In addition to its academic focus, MCA offers educational programs for families, helping to ensure a supportive community. With a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and extended school days, Mother Caroline Academy provides a holistic education fostering academic skills, resilience, and character. Graduates attend top schools such as Boston Latin, Commonwealth School, and St. Paul’s, and aspire to careers in medicine, engineering, business, education, and more. As Boston’s only tuition-free independent school for girls, MCA opens doors to lifelong opportunities for students and their families. The Academy is entirely privately funded.

Our Students

Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center serves 74+ girls in grades 3-8, who are 80% African American, 13% Hispanic, and 7% mixed race. While MCAEC is rooted in the Catholic tradition, students come from a multitude of religious traditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Three or more years of recent experience teaching at the elementary or middle school level
• Current knowledge of research and effective practices in the areas of literacy development, literacy instruction, assessment, and professional development
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work style
• Experience collaborating and problem solving with teachers
• While performing the duties of this job the teacher is frequently required to kneel, stoop, bend, crouch and is occasionally required to sit, walk or lift

Preferred Qualifications

• K-12 Reading Specialist License and valid Massachusetts teaching license
• Master’s degree in Education or a related field (or currently in progress)

Responsibilities

• Help every child in the school develop strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills
• Provide direct instruction and targeted intervention to struggling readers (fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension focus)
• Provide and lead literacy instruction and assessment, through a combination of coaching, intervention, and coordination of support services
• Support MCA’s curriculum and professional development by modeling best practices, coaching teachers, and encouraging reflective practice
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other professionals across content areas in planning instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Provide and support literacy assessment and data analysis
• Meet regularly with the faculty to discuss and plan using literacy data
• Provide professional development by training, coaching, and supporting teachers and paraprofessionals with literacy programs and instruction
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and mission-driven school environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues
• Proficiency with digital tools such as Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Classroom), word processing, spreadsheets, and email communication

Traits And Qualities

• Holds high expectations for all students and believes deeply that every child can and will learn
• Creates a positive, joyful learning environment and brings a love of learning to the classroom every single day
• Thrives in a mission-driven, team-oriented culture and contributes to a collaborative, professional learning community
• Demonstrates a growth mindset, welcoming feedback, coaching, and professional development as opportunities for continuous improvement
• Perseveres with optimism, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to learning and growing alongside students and colleagues
• Goes above and beyond to support students’ success and is willing to wear multiple hats to meet the evolving needs of the school community
• Models strong character, integrity, and the core values of MCA, serving as a role model for students
• Uses data to inform instruction, assess progress, communicate results, and set ambitious goals for student achievement
• Has a strong work ethic, including a willingness to work an extended day and maintain availability to students, families, and staff outside of traditional school hours

Schedule

MCA School Hours: 7:30 am–3:00 pm
Vacations and school closures generally follow Boston Public Schools.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan
• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Professional development support