Job Description

The Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (RSSAA) is seeking a passionate and experienced part- or full-time Literacy Support / Reading Specialist to join our team and lead efforts in supporting student literacy across Grades 1–8. The ideal candidate is not only skilled in literacy instruction but also thrives on collaboration, mentoring teachers, and ensuring that each student receives the support they need to succeed as a reader.  

This position is both student-facing and strategic: working directly with learners, as well as overseeing a cohesive, school-wide reading support system. Our school is looking for someone who values authentic relationships, innovation, student success, professional development, and a commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion work. 

Our Student Support Program is continuing to grow and evolve to meet the needs of students at our school. We have a Student Support Coordinator that oversees the overall support plans for students in collaboration with our teachers. Our grades teachers and early grades assistants are trained in the Orton Gillingham and/or Lindamood-Bell styles of approaching reading instruction and intervention. The Reading Specialist is a valuable member of our student support team, working to meet the literacy developmental needs of the students.   

With around 275 students, preschool through grade 12, RSSAA allows the full Waldorf pedagogy to unfold. We have a deeply experienced staff of Waldorf-trained faculty, working out of the principles of Waldorf education and anthroposophy , recognizing the spirituality of all individuals. We feel that the best education should help students not only become knowledgeable adults, but also secure, creative, and independent thinkers in later life. Our education strives to foster individuals who have confidence in themselves and are prepared to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing society. We endeavor to help students see connections between disciplines, synthesize and integrate information, and continue to love learning throughout their lives.   

Waldorf education was created to offer a multi-sensory and holistic approach to education that strives to acknowledge the gifts and reduce the struggles of every individual. Our pedagogy works to meet the developmental needs of children as it supports children’s academic, social, and emotional health through critical thinking, creativity, arts, and movement. We believe children need less memorization and testing of facts, and instead, more connection and hands-on learning inspired by the truth, beauty, and wisdom of our world. Waldorf education was also founded on the principle that faculty should play an active role in governance and decision making. To find out more about this unique approach, visit the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America:  

Founded in 1980, RSSAA started with Grades 1-4 in a small building and has grown into a vibrant community.  Our high school campus (Pontiac Trail) is a short drive away and offers a space for the students to fully appreciate the richness of the curriculum and have their own social space. The school supports our students, teachers, and administration through a strong curriculum, schedules, festivals, and school-wide collaboration. We offer both Spanish and German from first to twelfth grade, a growing movement program, strong fine and practical arts, choral and instrumental music. We celebrate a wide mix of traditional festivals from around the world, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Day of the Dead, Lunar New Year, and Eid. We have an engaged and active faculty and have worked with Alma Partners to continue to develop our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lower School Campus (Newport Rd): The Lower School Campus (Early Childhood – 8th grade) is on 13 wooded and grassy acres, set in a suburban neighborhood, close to the river. We strive to be in balance with our grounds through working with native species in our outdoor education program, while having plenty of play spaces, a gymnasium, and a soccer field for sports activities and gatherings. Our Middle School classes are in a separate building on the Lower School campus.  

High School Campus (Pontiac Trail): What once was a family-owned factory was thoughtfully transformed by an architect to be a warm and inspiring high school. For over 25 years, we have developed our advanced academics, life science labs, eurythmy space, grounds and gardens, and a gymnasium. 

Responsibilities of the Role  

• Work primarily with grades 1-8, while being available for consultation at the high school level 
• Provide targeted literacy support to students through small groups and individual instruction 
• Lead and coordinate a team of reading support teachers for tutoring and interventions 
• Coach and mentor classroom teachers in best practices for literacy instruction 
• Oversee reading support services and maintain clear communication with all (invested partners, colleagues/parents?)? 
• Administer and interpret reading assessments for students of concern 
• Collaborate with teachers to analyze class-level reading assessment data  
• Attend weekly faculty meetings and be available for support meetings for individual students 

Desired Skills and Attributes  

• Deep passion for student advocacy and literacy support 
• Strong background in literacy instruction and current best practices 
• Excellent communication skills to work effectively with teachers, families, and committees 
• Highly organized with strong documentation and program management abilities 
• Collaborative leadership and a team-building mindset 
• Knowledge of or connection to current literacy research and external support resources 
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in education or related field 
• Critical thinking, adaptability, and creative problem-solving skills

Benefits of Working at RSSAA  

• Becoming a part of a community that:  
• Cares about you as a person, your continued development, and your life outside of school.  
• Values human connection and creates an environment that inspires strong relationships between our students, families, and colleagues as well as in the larger community. 
• Offers a supportive and creative work environment that encourages new ideas and provides opportunities for growth. 
• Always considers how to best meet the children of today through a pedagogy that upholds the dignity of each human being while exploring what we must reimagine in our work in order to be effective.  
• Our campuses are located a few minutes from downtown Ann Arbor, the university, and hospital. The extended Ann Arbor area offers the richness and diversity of a university town with a small-town feel. It has many events, festivals, art, music, dance and social activities throughout the year. Ann Arbor is rich in natural landscapes, providing many scenic parks along the river and nearby lakes. It is an area with many different job opportunities for other family members, if needed. Ann Arbor is home to the Anthroposophical Society in America, Rudolf Steiner Health Center for anthroposophical medicine, as well as a biodynamic farm, the Community Farm of Ann Arbor. 
• We are a 40-minute drive from Detroit, which offers the cultural richness of an urban center, museums, cultural connections, and Detroit Waldorf School.  
• Michigan’s watersheds and the Great Lakes offer wonderful places to visit and vacation. To learn more about Ann Arbor, visit: Michigan's Guide to Ann Arbor  

Compensation  

We offer an equitable salary structure, with a salary starting at $41,000-71,000 based on experience. Our full-time benefits package includes health insurance, base and matching 503b contributions, life/disability insurance, and significant tuition remission for children who attend our school. For candidates moving to Ann Arbor, we offer some relocation support. 

  To Apply  

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive community and encourage candidates from historically marginalized communities and those traditionally underrepresented in Waldorf schools to apply.   

Candidates should submit: 

1. A cover letter that outlines their professional experience and how it supports this position. 
2. A comprehensive resume or CV. 
3. Contact information for three professional references. 

Applications may be sent to the Hiring Committee at Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor via email at klikosky@steinerschool.org. For more details about the school and the role, visit Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor’s website . 

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