Learning Specialist

Learning Specialist

Department:Lower School
Location:Bethesda, MD

Position Start Date:07/01/2023

Status:Staff

Learning Specialist Job Description Updated, 2023

Sidwell Friends is seeking a PK-4th Grade Learning Specialist for the 2023-24 school year. The Learning Specialist is a member of the Lower School administrative team and serves a crucial leadership role within the school, working closely with the LS principal, the LS Assistant Principal and Counselor, to move the School forward in areas of assessment, differentiation and equity work. Not only does the learning specialist help identify and support students who learn differently, they also serve as the “hub” of the Student Support Team, ensuring that there is ongoing communication and coordination of support for each child.

The successful candidate should take an asset-based approach to student support, be attuned to equity issues, and have a strong background in learning differences, particularly dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and Executive Functioning challenges. The learning specialist should have deep knowledge of a range of testing/screening instruments, be able to read and interpret educational testing, and have diagnostic expertise. The learning specialist should be able to use diagnostic assessments to set rigorous learning goals, design explicit and systematic learning experiences, and implement progress monitoring systems. The learning specialist should also be collaborative and adept at working with teachers to integrate support into the classroom. They should be a strong communicator, adept at supporting families through difficult conversations. The candidate should have a Master’s Degree in Special Education, Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction or something comparable and should have leadership experience.

Key focus areas for the position include:

Coordination of Student Support : The Learning Specialist is responsible for maintaining a tiered system of student support that includes both internal and external support. They are responsible for creating student learning plans for students, tracking growth over time, monitoring response to intervention and meeting regularly with the student-team (teacher, parent, etc.) to ensure that the support is comprehensive. They meet regularly with classroom teachers and families to ensure that accommodations are in place for the child and that expected growth is being made.

Outside Support: The Learning Specialist is responsible for coordinating testing, tutoring, and other outside supports and maintains productive communication between all outside support and the School. In addition, they maintain a list of outside referral resources for families.

Direct Intervention Work: The Learning Specialist provides direct support for students, including targeted small group work, individual instruction, and in-class observations and support. The learning specialist takes primary responsibility for supporting students in Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grades, and they coordinate and oversee support in 1st and 2nd grades. Experience with science-based reading and writing interventions is required.

Supervision of Support Team: In addition to providing support for students, the Learning Specialist manages a team of two additional teachers who work in 1st and 2nd grade. Prior experience supervising, supporting and/or coaching teachers is an asset.

This is a campus-based position and requires working with students and faculty/staff in person. This 11-month staff position begins July 1, 2023

Interested candidates should upload a resume, cover letter, graduate-level transcript, and contact information for three references via our online application. As a condition of employment, all employees who are employed with the school are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and able to provide proof of such vaccination. To make an application for a medical or religious exemption, please contact the human resources department.