Learning Specialist for Upper Grades 5th-8th

The Co-op School; Gates Center (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Co-op School is seeking a full-time Learning Specialist to join our Learning Support team. You will provide personalized support, conduct assessments, and write reports for middle school students with diverse learning needs.

Collaboration with students, teachers, related service providers, and families is essential. You will work with the Director of Learning Supports to align intervention strategies with school-wide initiatives, participate in meetings, and ensure effective differentiation

Qualifications

• Experience working with upper elementary and middle school students with learning differences.
• Master's degree in special education or learning disabilities is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills and passion for inspiring students to learn.
• Strong understanding of learning differences and how to support diverse needs.
• Commitment to social justice and anti-bias curricula.
• Reflective practitioner with a willingness to grow professionally and share expertise.
• Experience coordinating with the DOE (Department of Education).
• Training with Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, or Writing Revolution is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalized and group interventions addressing academic and executive functioning needs.
• Chair and attend CSE meetings to review progress and support plans.
• Coordinate with the Director of Learning Supports to align with school initiatives.
• Attend weekly student support meetings and collaborate with teachers.
• Partner with teachers and families to meet instructional goals.
• Observe, assess, and record student performance to drive instruction.

Skills

Intervention design

Organization & time management

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Master's in Special Education

Job description

The Co-op School was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who saw the need for a high-quality and affordable preschool option in the Clinton Hill and Fort Greene neighborhoods. Since then, the Co-op School has matured from a small, parent-run playgroup to a fully staffed and licensed non-profit school.

After residing in two prior homes in Clinton Hill, The Co-op School moved into 87 Irving Place in the fall of 2009. In 2011, The Co-op School launched the first kindergarten class of its elementary program at 40 Brevoort Place. In 2019, we opened our doors at 644 Gates Avenue in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood—in a 3,500-square-foot building with a double-height gym, a rooftop library, and two playgrounds—housing our preschool, lower school, and middle school students under one roof.

OUR MISSION
The mission of The Co-op School is to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity. The Co-op School facilitates joyful learning through a unique and rigorous constructivist approach that listens to and honors the individual interests and strengths of each child. The Co-op School doesn’t just belong to the students and educators but extends to the family community as a whole. It belongs to those who participate in it and is a more resilient and creative place because of it.

Job Summary
We are looking for a full-time Learning Specialist to join our Learning Support team. In this role, the Learning Specialist will provide personalized support and intervention to middle school students with diverse learning needs, focusing on academic achievement and social-emotional development. Collaboration with students, teachers, related service providers, and families will be key to this position. Additionally, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for conducting assessments and writing reports.

Responsibilities include:

• Support learners through small group interventions and push-in/pull-out formats to address academic and executive functioning needs.
• Chair and attend Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings to review student progress, accommodations, and support plans.
• Work closely with the Director of Learning Supports to align intervention strategies with school-wide initiatives.
• Attend weekly student support meetings and collaborate regularly with teachers to ensure effective differentiation and student growth.
• Partner with teachers and families to ensure students meet or exceed instructional goals and expectations.
• Observe, assess, and maintain records of student performance, using data to drive instruction and intervention plans.
• Communicate regularly with parents to discuss progress, challenges, and strategies for continued growth.
• Integrate The Co-op School’s Values into classroom culture, instructional practices, and student interactions.
• Foster a positive and inclusive classroom culture using the Responsive Classroom approach.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and records.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues to create a supportive learning environment

Qualifications

• Experience working with upper elementary and middle school students with learning differences.
• A master's degree in special education or learning disabilities is preferred but not required.
• A strong commitment to collaboration and a passion for inspiring students to develop a love for learning.
• A deep understanding of learning differences and how to support students with diverse needs.
• A commitment to social justice and implementing an anti-bias curriculum.
• A reflective practitioner who is dedicated to continuous professional growth and sharing expertise with colleagues.
• Experience coordinating with the DOE (Department of Education).
• Training with Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, or Writing Revolution is preferred, but not required.

Additional Skills:

• Ability to design and implement individualized and group interventions based on student needs.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle diverse student cases and schedules.
• Willingness to engage in professional development and collaborate with colleagues to improve practice.

Annual Salary: The salary range for this position is $55,000 - $70,939; The position on the scale will be based on years of teaching experience and education.

Level: Union Full-Time Position

Start Date: August 2026, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

This Position reports directly to the Director of Student Services

The Co-op School COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: We appreciate your interest in employment at The Co-op School. We would like to note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required.

The Co-op School is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, citizenship, national origin or ancestry, religion or religious practices, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Our policy extends to all employment practices including but no