Position Summary
The Fifth-Eighth Grade Learning Specialist is a valuable part of the St. Paul’s teaching team, working closely with grade level teachers and the division head to ensure students’ learning needs are met through one-on-one and small group sessions, in class support, identifying and connecting families with outside resources, and ongoing collaboration with parents. The Fifth-Eighth Grade Learning Specialist will also work closely with the K-Second Grade Reading Specialist and the First-Fourth Grade Learning Specialist to ensure a comprehensive and unified approach to student academic support across disciplines and grade levels. They should be equipped to identify signs of learning differences and aid in intervention as well as provide recommendations for outside testing and additional resources. Finally, they will research and support additional professional development for faculty members to improve their classroom response for students with varied learning needs.
Major tasks & duties
- Work collaboratively with faculty, reading specialist, and division head to identify students in need of potential educational testing and academic support
- Support students with learning differences in one-on-one and/or small group sessions
- Provide student support within the classroom setting during instructional time
- Collaborate with parents and faculty to create a strong partnership built on empathy and skill building
- Provide direct instruction and strategy/skill scaffolding to set students up for academic success
- Analyze and summarize educational testing results and design and implement a support plan
- Conduct informal screenings, assessments, and classroom observations
- Lead student support meetings with faculty during grade-level, divisional, and all school faculty meetings
- Lead meetings with faculty to analyze student data and guide intervention
- Meet periodically with students’ families to review needs, data, interventions, and progress
- Coordinate or lead professional development about learning differences
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in related field
- Knowledgeable and experienced with best practices for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and ADHD
- A joyful and positive disposition; recognizes the potential of every child
- Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development
Incumbents must be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Position Benefits
St. Paul’s offers a salary and benefits package that is highly competitive when compared with regional public, parochial, and independent schools. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 80% tuition remission for faculty K-8 children (25% for early childhood), a generous 403(b) retirement plan, ongoing professional development opportunities, and free lunch.