The Co-op School was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who saw the need for a high-quality and affordable preschool option in the Clinton Hill and Fort Greene neighborhoods. Since then, the Co-op School has matured from a small, parent-run playgroup to a fully staffed and licensed non-profit school.

After residing in two prior homes in Clinton Hill, The Co-op School moved into 87 Irving Place in the fall of 2009. In 2011, The Co-op School launched the first kindergarten class of its elementary program at 40 Brevoort Place. In 2019, we opened our doors at 644 Gates Avenue in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood—in a 3,500-square-foot building with a double-height gym, a rooftop library, and two playgrounds—housing our preschool, lower school, and middle school students under one roof.

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Co-op School is to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity. The Co-op School facilitates joyful learning through a unique and rigorous constructivist approach that listens to and honors the individual interests and strengths of each child. The Co-op School doesn’t just belong to the students and educators but extends to the family community as a whole. It belongs to those who participate in it and is a more resilient and creative place because of it.

JOB SUMMARY

The Literacy Specialist focuses on three key areas: literacy intervention, curriculum oversight, and coaching and collaboration with teachers.

Intervention & Learning Supports: 

• Provide targeted instruction and support to students in need of literacy intervention, using research-based strategies to improve reading, writing, and comprehension skills

• Provide small-group intervention (K-4) using the Orton-Gillingham and FUNdations program for identified at-risk learners
• Order all FUNdations materials for classroom teachers out of the literacy budget 
• Conduct student assessments with learning team members (WIST, Dibels)
• Analyze data and assist classroom teachers in coordinating groups based on data collection and assessments 

Curriculum: 

• Collaborate with the Lower School Division Head on the reading and writing curriculum for grades K-4
• Maintain current documentation of curriculum

Coaching and Collaboration:

• Partner with classroom teachers to provide guidance, model instructional strategies, and oversee curriculum implementation 
• Be available to meet with teachers individually or in teams to support instructional planning and student learning
• Lead professional growth in literacy instruction and practices for staff and families 

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Reading/Literacy Education, or Learning Disabilities
• Training or certification in Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, or The Writing Revolution preferred, but not required 
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration and a passion for inspiring students to develop a love of learning
• Strong understanding of learning differences and the ability to support students with diverse needs
• Reflective practitioner dedicated to ongoing professional growth and sharing best practices with colleagues

Annual Salary:  The salary range for this position is $55,000 - $79,287; The position on the scale will be based on years of teaching experience and education.

Level: Union Full-Time Position

Start Date: August 2026

This Position reports directly to the Director of Student Services

TO APPLY: 

• Send your resume to the Director of Human Resources, Evelyn@thecoopschool.org

The Co-op School COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

We appreciate your interest in employment at The Co-op School. We would like to note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required.

The Co-op School is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, citizenship, national origin or ancestry, religion or religious practices, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Our policy extends to all employment practices including but not limited to, hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, lay-offs, and termination.

About The Co-Op School

We are a progressive constructivist program that teaches to the individualities of every child and every unique classroom. The Co-op School models its curriculum based on these following beliefs: Joyful learning lays the foundation for lifelong learning and critical thinking. Creativity cannot exist without passion. Children learn best when they are invested in finding out the answers to their questions and when learning is embedded in meaningful contexts, which makes learning fun and engaging. It is important to us to educate the entire child on all levels: emotional, social, physical, and intellectual. Students work as a group and think as individuals, expressing feelings and contributing ideas peacefully and respectfully. Students will leave The Co-op School confident in their ability to effect change in the community and comfortable reflecting on ways to challenge and grow themselves. As creative problem solvers, each with unique viewpoints and learning styles, students will embrace the idea of a more equitable world. We strive to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity.

Connections working at The Co-Op School