Learning Specialist - Literacy/EF Focus

The Park School is a Pre-K to Grade 8 independent school in Brookline, MA dedicated to excellence in education. The cornerstone of Park's program is academic excellence, combining both high standards of scholarship and the encouragement of each child to develop to their greatest potential. Our school community fosters a nurturing environment in which children develop curiosity, express creativity, appreciate the value of hard work and discipline, and experience the joy of learning. Park's faculty encourages each student to strive for intellectual, physical, and moral growth and to become contributing members of the community.

The Learning Specialist is a member of the school’s Academic Support Division and reports to the Director of Academic Support. This part-time , benefits eligible, 10-month position comes with the responsibility of working with faculty and staff to serve as a learning specialist in support of the school’s mission and curricular goals.

• Provide targeted one to one support for students in Grades K-8, with a focus on supporting literacy and executive function skills development for students with learning challenges, including students whose learning profiles include language based learning disabilities.
• Caseload will include up to 24 student sessions per week.
• Work collaboratively with classroom teachers, Director of Academic Support, and other school educators to identify and address student needs.
• Use a variety of assessment data to inform instruction, including that provided by neuropsychological reports.
• Communicate effectively with parents about student needs and progress, enlisting families as partners in supporting student growth.
• Write student progress reports 2-3 times per year for students in your caseload.
• Attend one Academic Support Department meeting per week, parent/faculty conferences two times per year, and team/child study meetings as appropriate for caseload.
• Collaborate with all Park School employees as appropriate and consistent with Park’s policies, mission and values.
• Collaborate with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging to keep multiculturalism and diversity as a priority of curricular work and curriculum development
• Ensure that respect for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, social-emotional learning, and academic excellence are emphasized as core values of The Park School.
• Meet expectations as defined by the Park School Employee Essential Expectations

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s strongly preferred.
• Training in the Orton Gillingham approach at the Certificate level including completion of coursework and supervised practicum.
• Minimum of three years of successful experience teaching/tutoring students with language-based learning difficulties, especially students in Grades 1-6.
• Demonstrated understanding of specific learning challenges that can impact student’s acquisition of literacy skills, knowledge of how to address these challenges in order to support achievement, and ability to communicate these challenges and strategies to teachers and families.
• Training and experience in methods of teaching reading, writing, and organizational skills to students with attentional and executive function challenges.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, families, and students to support learning.
• Experience providing both “pull out” and “push in” support.
• Experience with both in-person and remote literacy instruction.
• Current knowledge of technological supports for literacy learning.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing support to students and families from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated interest in ongoing professional development and innovative practices that support student growth.
• Ability to think independently along with being collaborative in a team environment
• Skill in differentiating instruction
• High integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Maintain focus, adaptability, and composure in an energetic and, at times, loud environment
• Effectively interpret, navigate, mediate, and resolve conflict with students and families in a timely manner.
• The ability to hold meetings in person and via supported video conference tools (i.e. Zoom or Google Meet)
• Proficient in or the ability to learn Google tools and other applications as adopted by the school, such as Veracross, , Atlas, Ruvna etc.

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to sit and stand uninterrupted for 45-minute periods of time.
• The ability to regularly walk on and travel across variable surfaces (e.g. level flooring, stairs, turf, gravel, asphalt, etc.).
• The ability to lead, supervise and accompany students to all areas of the school campus (including all indoor and outdoor areas), including during day-to-day responsibilities and in case of emergency.
• The ability to consistently operate a computer. Proficient or the ability to quickly learn Google tools and other school software.
• The ability to regularly stand, sit, crouch, and kneel down in order to support students.
• The ability to work outdoors, year-round, in variable weather conditions.
• The ability to lift and hold 15 lbs overhead.
• The ability to occasionally transport (e.g., move or drag) 25 lbs.
• The ability to maintain focus and composure in an energetic and, at times, loud environment.

• Please visit Park’s career page to complete an application and upload your resume, cover letter, leadership/philosophy statement, and the names of three to five references, including two present or past supervisors.
• Competitive salaries and benefits are offered, including a strong professional development program.
• Park is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, natural or protective hairstyles or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment, education, admission, financial aid, and other policies and programs.
• We welcome candidates who will add to the diversity of our community and who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their teaching and learning.
• Job applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. The Park School will not sponsor an employment visa or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

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