Learning Specialist, K–8

Seattle Country Day School; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan

Long-term disability insurance

Job summary

An independent school in Seattle is seeking a full-time Learning Specialist to provide academic support to gifted students. This role involves working with students individually, collaborating with teachers and parents, and developing educational plans based on assessed needs. The ideal candidate will have a graduate degree in special education, strong communication skills, and experience with diverse learning strategies. A competitive salary range of $72,000–$132,000 and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience providing intervention support for reading, writing, math challenges.
• Five years of experience in teaching or related field.
• Experience using the Orton-Gillingham approach for reading intervention.

Responsibilities

• Work with students to develop learning strategies and executive function skills.
• Administer diagnostic tests to evaluate student needs.
• Confer with parents and teachers to create educational plans.

Skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Intervention strategies

Understanding diverse learning styles

Education

Graduate degree in special education or related field

Job description

Reports to: Director of Teaching and Learning
Starting Date: August 2026

Seattle Country Day School (SCDS) is an independent school that serves more than 400 gifted students, grades K–8, on a 2.4-acre campus on the north slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington.

At SCDS, we know gifted children can be intense, verbal, and imaginative; we also know that gifted children come from every community, every race, and every socioeconomic class. At SCDS, our students find a warm, welcoming classroom, one based around the concept of inquiry, a method where teachers encourage students to explore, to ask questions, to experiment, and to create. The school also prioritizes social-emotional learning, which is informed by diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts. This attention to the whole child, and to the world they live in, stimulates children’s intellect and imagination and helps foster qualities such as flexibility, empathy, integrity, and compassion.

SCDS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at SCDS are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran, military, or marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other status protected by applicable law. SCDS will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We encourage everyone who is interested in this position to apply.

Qualifications for the Position

• A graduate degree in special education or related field.
• Experience providing intervention support for students with reading, writing, math, and executive function challenges in an educational setting.
• Experience using the Orton‑Gillingham approach for reading intervention.
• Five years’ experience in teaching, learning/support services or related field.
• Ability to work effectively with all members of the school community.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.

Essential Functions

The learning specialist provides academic support through individual work with students and collaboration with teachers, parents, and outside resources. In addition to expertise in teaching and a background in literacy, math, and special education theory and interventions, the candidate should have experience with a collaborative/consultative approach to serving students with diverse learning styles and the ability to offer remedial and intervention services and interpret psycho-educational reports.

Responsibilities

• Work one-on-one and with small groups of students to assist them in developing learning strategies and executive function skills.
• Administer diagnostics tests to determine if referrals for third-party testing is needed.
• Read and analyze educational/psychological student assessments and make recommendations for programmatic interventions. Support the learning needs of all students.
• Confer with parents, teachers, and other professionals to develop educational plans that promote students’ academic development.
• Ensure appropriate modifications and accommodations are in place for students.
• Participate in curricular reviews, professional development, and curriculum design to support student needs.
• Participate in student support meetings and division meetings as needed.
• Work with parents, teachers, and administrators to recommend professional services (e.g., occupational therapists, educational evaluations, speech and language pathologists, psychologists).
• Participate in school admissions and community events.
• Commit some time to familiarize him/herself with the faculty prior to the start of school each year.
• Maintain and ensure security of confidential student records.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position is full-time, exempt. Flexibility and availability to work hours outside of the regular school day and during the summer are required.

SCDS offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $72,000–$132,000. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement plan, and section 125 plan.