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Long-Term Substitute: Lower School Librarian (Pre-K-Grade 4), The Fessenden School, (West Newton, MA)

Posted February 9, 2026

  • Salary Range: $40,150.00 – $61,200.00
  • Level: Experienced
  • Position Type: Temporary
  • Job Shift: Day
  • Education Level: 4 Year Degree
  • Travel Percentage: None
  • Category: Exempt / Salaried

About Us: The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.

Position Overview:

The Fessenden School is looking for a long-term substitute Lower School Librarian for Pre-K-Grade 4 for the end of this school year and the start of the next school year. 

The Lower School Librarian is an energetic educator, collaborator, and connector who works closely with faculty and students to cultivate a love of reading, strengthen information literacy, and design meaningful learning experiences. Candidates must have the ability to design, implement, and adjust curriculum for 13 classes per week for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Four, based on student needs and library goals. Grounded in the developmental needs of elementary students, the Librarian communicates with young people in a way that respects their humanity while exciting their curiosity about the world. The Librarian also communicates Lower School student progress to faculty and parents informally, and formally through checklists and comments. 

Attention to detail, the ability to maintain a vibrant, child-friendly space, and willingness to assist and support all Fessenden students, colleagues, and other librarians are also key. The Lower School Librarian brings joy, humor, and strong relationships to their work and plays a vital role in advancing the school’s mission to develop each boy’s character, mind, and body in a joyful and inclusive community. The Wheeler Library team of Upper, Middle and Lower School librarians works together to provide a vibrant, forward-thinking, and coherent program for boys in Pre-K through Grade 9.

Duration:

  • Academic Year 2025-26: March/April to June 5, 2026
  • Academic Year 2026-27: August 31 to November 30, 2026

Schedule:

School Year:  Academic Day 7:35 am -2:50 pm, Library Coverage (3 days per week), 2:50 pm-4:30 pm, Monday Faculty Meetings: 3:00 pm-4:00 pm and 4:30 pm-5:30 pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Use a current understanding of children’s literature to connect students with books 
  • Familiarity with Executive Function, Social and Emotional Learning, and Information Literacy Skills, and the ability to integrate them into lessons
  • Maintain classroom routines
  • Actively teach and model inclusion, equity, and social justice.
  • Partner with the Library Director, Lower School Curriculum Coordinator, and Lower School faculty to coordinate curriculum and programs  
  • Perform duties such as dismissal, recess, lunch, and other faculty duties as required.
  • Maintain all documentation connected with the curriculum and students, including parent-facing communication about students.
  • Maintain current knowledge of circulation records and overdue notices for grades Pre-K-4 and Lower School faculty
  • Introduce students to Summer Reading Lists
  • Maintain library spaces and collections, including preparing space for summer camp and resetting in the fall, monitoring circulation, processing books, and assisting with year-end projects
  • Assist with Spring Book Fair
  • Attend faculty meetings; typically on Mondays from 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
  • Attend professional development meetings after school
  • Maintain regular and reliable attendance
  • Maintain current CPR, AED, and first aid certification and child abuse prevention training
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field
  • Have a passion for and current knowledge of children’s literature and be able to inspire that in others
  • Two years of experience in instructing elementary school-aged children in an academic program
  • Experience in a library setting
  • Ability to develop and provide differentiated instruction to meet the learning needs of a range of students
  • Enthusiasm and communication skills to engage boys and build meaningful relationships
  • Strong supervisory and leadership skills to manage and control a classroom
  • Ability to perform critical thinking, organization, prioritization, and problem-solving with minimal supervision
  • Ability to collaborate with a diverse community of colleagues, students, and families
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, justice, diversity, and equity
  • A commitment to boys and boys’ education 
  • Successful background check

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s of Library and Information Sciences (or post-graduate SLIS certificate) from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent (or pursuing).
  • Familiarity with the following technology:
    • Alexandria (or other library management system)
    • SORA/Overdrive
    • Google Workspace
    • Mac/Chromebook

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $40,150-$61,200, depending on qualifications and experience.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants can apply directly through The Fessenden School’s employment portal.

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