Interim Lower School Learning Specialist

The Meadowbrook School; Weston-super-Mare; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Meadowbrook School is seeking an Interim Lower School Learning Specialist for the 2025-2026 academic year. The role involves providing comprehensive support services to students, developing individualized instruction plans, and collaborating with faculty to enhance student learning experiences. This one-year position focuses on fostering an inclusive educational environment and requires a strong background in special education.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous benefits package

School-matched retirement plan

Paid time off

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in a learning support role.
• Specialized knowledge in early literacy and research-based literacy intervention programs.
• Experience in administering assessments of students’ reading development.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct academic support through co-teaching and small group instruction.
• Work with the Student Support Services team to address individual student needs.
• Develop differentiated approaches to instruction based on individual learning styles.

Skills

Knowledge of learning differences

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Phonics instruction

Education

Graduate degree in Special Education/Learning Disabilities

Tools

Assessment tools

Multi-sensory teaching methodologies

Job description

The Meadowbrook School of Weston, a junior kindergarten through 8th grade school located in Weston, MA, seven miles west of Boston, is seeking an Interim Lower School Learning Specialist to join our faculty for the 2025-2026 academic year (this is a one year position).

Reporting to the Head of Lower School, the Interim Lower School Learning Specialist will provide comprehensive learning and support services to students in grades JK-5. They will play an integral role in the Student Support Services team, which also includes the Director of Student Support Services and the Middle School Learning Specialist. The successful candidate will not only have knowledge about a range of learning differences and general executive functioning challenges and their impact, but also be able to develop differentiated approaches to instruction. The Interim Lower School Learning Specialist will be a strong team player who thinks strategically, inspires and motivates others, has a growth mindset, and naturally takes initiative. This candidate will demonstrate a dedication to their own professional development while staying current in educational research on learning differences and instructional practices. The candidate will exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, possess strong written and oral communication skills, be detail-oriented, have strong organizational skills, and have the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities. The candidate should also be familiar with and have knowledge about the science of reading.

At Meadowbrook, smart, passionate people join together in an expansive learning environment with rigorous academics and innovative curricula to inspire, challenge, and empower students to achieve at the highest level, connect deeply with a diverse community, and courageously create change. Meadowbrook is a mission-driven school, and we invite candidates to familiarize themselves with our mission before applying for the position.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide direct academic support to students through co-teaching, one-on-one, and small group instruction. Work with students one-on-one to help implement effective study, organizational, and time management skills.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Lower School the Director of Student Support, and school counselors to ensure students, faculty, and families are supported
• Provide phonics instruction to a small group (6-8) of JK, 1st, and 2nd grade students
• Work collaboratively with grade-level teachers to identify students in need of support, help them differentiate instruction to engage and challenge those students, including in reading groups
• Provide faculty training in the implementation of research-based teaching practices for effective student learning, including strategies for differentiation
• Facilitate student support meetings and partner with teachers to articulate students’ learning needs at parent conferences
• Gain an understanding of the current scope and sequence in each grade level and coach teachers around curriculum development to better support students
• Read and analyze psychoeducational evaluations, partner with outside providers, and act as a liaison between the Director of Student Support, classroom teachers, and other administrators
• Maintain complete and confidential records, that are reflective of a student's performance and reading development.
• Maintain complete and accurate records that are reflective of a student's performance and reading development.
• Re-teach, reinforce, and/or consolidate specific reading skills or concepts with students
• Coordinate standardized testing (ERBs) and manage accommodation documentation
• Perform divisional responsibilities expected of faculty (for example, writing report cards, participating in lunch duty, attending faculty meetings, etc.)

Requirements:

• A graduate degree or higher in Special Education/Learning Disabilities, or a related field
• Strong knowledge of a range of learning differences, such as Dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, and their impact, as well as an extensive understanding of ADHD
• At least 2 years of experience working in a learning support role
• Specialized knowledge in early literacy, including scientifically-based reading research, multi-sensory teaching methodologies and best practices
• Experience in administering formal and informal assessments and observations of students’ reading development and analyzing, organizing, and presenting student data (including but not limited to Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System, DIBELS, ERBs)
• Knowledge of reading and writing workshops, systematic phonics programs (i.e Fundations), experience with research-based literacy intervention programs such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Lindamood-Bell, or similar

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ educators, or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools. We are committed to an inclusive school experience for all those who come to work at Meadowbrook.

Annualized salary for faculty is determined according to a step scale commensurate with experience. Meadowbrook offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States.

Meadowbrook is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, familial or marital status, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law.