What are the responsibilities and job description for the Literacy Specialist and Orton-Gillingham Certified Educator position at St. Paul Academy and Summit School?
St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) seeks candidates for the position of Literacy Specialist and Orton-Gillingham Certified Educator for a Lower School teaching position.
About St. Paul Academy And Summit School
St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school serving more than 910 students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the eastern and western suburbs.
Our mission—shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world—is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.
About The Lower School
When you walk through the front doors of our Lower School, you'll immediately feel just how special a place this is for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. From the welcoming Living Room just inside the front door (often warmed by a cozy fire in the fireplace), to the bright and spacious classrooms and hallways adorned with student artwork, to the five acres of open green space just outside our back door, the Lower School is designed around the academic, social, and emotional needs of young children. Our culture is defined by our warm and welcoming community, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our innovative curriculum.
Our small classes, 7:1 student/teacher ratio, and team-teaching model are the building blocks of the Lower School experience, along with the TOOLBOX social/emotional program, which gives both children and adults a common language for community values and problem-solving.
For more information about the Lower School, please visit the Lower School section of our website.
The Christopher Center Pathways Program at SPA is designed for students in Grades 2-6 with high academic potential and a primary diagnosis of dyslexia. Using the Orton-Gillingham approach, the program supports students in their acquisition of skills in reading, spelling, writing, and math.
For additional information about the school’s curriculum, community, and culture, please visit our website at www.spa.edu.
Position Begins: August 2025
Status: 1.0 FTE, Exempt, 10 months (follows the faculty calendar)
Department: Center for Learning and Teaching, LS (K-3)
Annual Salary: $55,000 - $65,000
Benefits
Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan through HealthPartners, Nice healthcare (a free virtual and in-person health plan), dental insurance, vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and free lunch during the school year. The retirement plan is through TIAA and has a generous matching contribution. The School offers a robust program of professional development, career growth, and leadership opportunities. A sabbatical program is also available. Tuition remission is also available for children of employees as well as complimentary before and after-school care.
Description
The ideal professional is someone who is innovative, collaborative, devoted to culturally competent learning, and holds a deep understanding of neurodiversity. The ideal candidate will possess the skills to provide literacy support for students experiencing reading difficulties, serve as a literacy resource for faculty, and track data to assess student progress. Candidates should thrive in and welcome an environment where life-long learning and the ongoing pursuit of seeking professional development in best practices are valued and expected.
Required Skills
The position includes a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, statement of teaching philosophy, and a list of references.
SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.
About St. Paul Academy And Summit School
St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school serving more than 910 students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the eastern and western suburbs.
Our mission—shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world—is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.
About The Lower School
When you walk through the front doors of our Lower School, you'll immediately feel just how special a place this is for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. From the welcoming Living Room just inside the front door (often warmed by a cozy fire in the fireplace), to the bright and spacious classrooms and hallways adorned with student artwork, to the five acres of open green space just outside our back door, the Lower School is designed around the academic, social, and emotional needs of young children. Our culture is defined by our warm and welcoming community, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our innovative curriculum.
Our small classes, 7:1 student/teacher ratio, and team-teaching model are the building blocks of the Lower School experience, along with the TOOLBOX social/emotional program, which gives both children and adults a common language for community values and problem-solving.
For more information about the Lower School, please visit the Lower School section of our website.
The Christopher Center Pathways Program at SPA is designed for students in Grades 2-6 with high academic potential and a primary diagnosis of dyslexia. Using the Orton-Gillingham approach, the program supports students in their acquisition of skills in reading, spelling, writing, and math.
For additional information about the school’s curriculum, community, and culture, please visit our website at www.spa.edu.
Position Begins: August 2025
Status: 1.0 FTE, Exempt, 10 months (follows the faculty calendar)
Department: Center for Learning and Teaching, LS (K-3)
Annual Salary: $55,000 - $65,000
Benefits
Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan through HealthPartners, Nice healthcare (a free virtual and in-person health plan), dental insurance, vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and free lunch during the school year. The retirement plan is through TIAA and has a generous matching contribution. The School offers a robust program of professional development, career growth, and leadership opportunities. A sabbatical program is also available. Tuition remission is also available for children of employees as well as complimentary before and after-school care.
Description
The ideal professional is someone who is innovative, collaborative, devoted to culturally competent learning, and holds a deep understanding of neurodiversity. The ideal candidate will possess the skills to provide literacy support for students experiencing reading difficulties, serve as a literacy resource for faculty, and track data to assess student progress. Candidates should thrive in and welcome an environment where life-long learning and the ongoing pursuit of seeking professional development in best practices are valued and expected.
Required Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, reading and writing education, or a related field is required.
- A master’s degree with a concentration in reading and writing education is preferred
- 3 years of teaching experience
- Experience working with students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, learning disabilities, and/or ADHD
- Knowledge in the following areas:
- Knowledge of Orton-Gillingham grammar, reading comprehension strategies, and writing instruction.
- Strong technology skills and knowledge of assistive technology for students with language-based learning differences or reading challenges
- Experience with reading/writing workshop models preferred, but not required
- Experience with Wilson Fundations or similar phonics programs preferred
- Create developmentally appropriate curricula
- Establish a supportive and engaging classroom environment for students
- Differentiate instruction and materials to meet the needs of all students
- Work collaboratively with teaching partners, other colleagues, and parents/guardians
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, students, and families; a collaborative style, an approachable demeanor, and a demonstrated ability to establish rapport and trusting relationships with people from diverse identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Utilize effective cross-cultural communication skills to operate effectively in diverse environments, and interact successfully with people from widely varying backgrounds.
The position includes a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, statement of teaching philosophy, and a list of references.
SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.
Salary : $55,000 - $65,000
