School Readiness Specialist - North Lawndale

School Readiness Specialist The School Readiness Specialist supports high-quality literacy instruction and strengthens the transition from Pre‑K to Kindergarten by working closely with educators, families, out-of-school time (OST) staff, and elementary school partners. This role provides targeted literacy support, facilitates family engagement, supports school choice navigation, and uses data to continuously improve instructional practices and kindergarten readiness outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Literacy Instruction & Classroom Support Deliver targeted literacy instruction to Pre‑K and Kindergarten children to support cognitive and socio‑emotional readiness. Co‑teach and model best practices alongside Pre‑K teachers and OST staff. Support implementation of evidence-based literacy programs, including Reading in Motion (RIM) and Heggerty Phonemic Awareness.

Provide curriculum support and technical assistance to ensure alignment with kindergarten readiness goals. Collaboration with Pre‑K Teachers Conduct bi‑weekly classroom visits and meetings with program advisors and teachers to discuss progress and instructional strategies. Participate in classroom observations and assessments alongside teachers to support instructional improvement.

Facilitate professional learning communities (PLCs), coaching sessions, and professional development activities. Maintain detailed documentation of classroom visits, co‑teaching sessions, and assessment outcomes. Youth Development Support Ensure high-quality literacy instruction within OST kindergarten programs. Collaborate with OST staff on lesson planning and literacy-focused scheduling.

Provide professional development, coaching, and modeling to OST staff. Conduct literacy assessments and analyze student data to inform instruction and program improvements. Family Engagement & School Partnerships Facilitate family cafés to promote meaningful engagement among families, Pre‑K teachers, and OST instructors.

Support families in navigating school choices and selecting the best elementary school fit for their child. Build and maintain relationships with kindergarten teachers to strengthen Pre‑K to Kindergarten transitions. Coordinate and participate in annual principal panels and local school meetings to foster partnerships and collaboration.

Program Coordination & Data Use Participate in weekly BASES‑K core team meetings to align strategies and review program progress. Collect, analyze, and utilize assessment and evaluation data to inform action planning and continuous improvement. Prepare and share reports with staff, leadership, and families to support student outcomes and program development.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Literacy, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). Experience working in Pre‑K and/or Kindergarten classroom settings. Knowledge of early literacy development and evidence-based instructional practices. Experience with coaching, co‑teaching, or professional development facilitation.

Strong data analysis, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Skills

& Competencies: Ability to build strong relationships with educators, families, and school partners. Experience supporting OST or expanded learning programs. Cultural competency and commitment to family-centered practices. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Flexibility and ability to collaborate across multiple settings and teams.

Benefits

Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision) Retirement Savings Plan (401(k)) Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, holidays) Employee Assistance Program 2026-27 CRCL Benefits Guide CRCL 2026-2027 Bi-Weekly Rate Sheet If you are having issues accessing the link, please be sure to check out our Careers page for more information!

Carole Robertson Center for Learning provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.