Learning Specialist Teacher

New Canaan Country School; New Canaan (CT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

New Canaan Country School seeks an Upper School Learning Specialist Teacher to enhance the educational experience for students with learning differences. This role involves developing tailored learning programs, collaborating with educators, and supporting student growth in a dynamic, inclusive environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with middle school students and a strong commitment to fostering an engaging learning atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching middle school students required.
• Knowledge of IEP and 504 plan legal responsibilities is preferred.
• Understanding of social, emotional and academic needs of students.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement a Learning Lab program tailored to diverse learners.
• Create individual learning plans and accommodate testing for students.
• Guide teachers on differentiating instruction and conduct professional development.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Organizational Skills

Cultural Competence

Joy in Teaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in special education or related field

Job description

About NCCS And The Upper School

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving 550 students, our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community.

The Middle and Upper School at Country School serves students in Grades 5 through 9 and provides them with the opportunity to acquire habits of mind and dispositions including collaboration, analytical and critical thinking, communication, perseverance and risk-taking. The school is now searching for an Upper School Learning Specialist Teacher to join its faculty in order to support the range of learners in the Upper School, particularly those with learning differences.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and implement a developmentally appropriate and responsive Learning Lab program
• Assist with the creation of individual learning plans that target students’ specific curricular/learning needs, including coordinating accommodations for testing scenarios
• Conduct formal observations of students in a variety of settings to gather quantitative and qualitative information about behavioral and learning needs
• Communicate and collaborate with classroom teachers to implement recommended classroom accommodations and interventions
• Guide teachers on how to differentiate instruction for a variety of learning styles and lead/support professional development workshops throughout the year
• Review evaluations, summarizing and providing information to classroom teachers, administrators and parents
• Serve as an advisor to a group of Upper School students within a grade-level advisory team
• Fulfill additional student-facing responsibilities of Upper School faculty member, including recess, study hall, clubs and multi-day trips
• Serve as head or assistant coach to Upper School teams in multiple seasons
• Engage in faculty meetings and professional development programs at department, team, division and whole school levels
• Partner with campus-wide Learning Resources Teachers to support student growth and transition between divisions and to ensure continuity
• Communicate with parents, tutors, specialists, and teachers as needed
• Work closely with US administrators and School Counselor to monitor student growth; attend Student Support Services meetings
  
  

Requirements

• Teach up to 4 sections in the US Learning Lab program---self-contained, small group classes that impart evidence-based strategies in support of reading comprehension, written expression, executive functions and generalized learning strategies
• Has a Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university; a Master’s degree in special education or related field is preferable
• Has relevant experience teaching the age group in a special education environment (or the equivalent) and assessing student learning
• Understands the social, emotional and academic needs of students at the middle school level (12-15 year olds) and has the ability to connect with students of this age group
• Possesses well-developed collaborative skills
  
  

Competencies

• Demonstrates a true sense of joy in working with students of this age and being in a school environment
• Has a strategy-based and engaging teaching style
• Is highly organized, flexible, collaborative, responsive and adaptive and has a strong skillset for mentoring
• Has commitment to partnerships with parents/guardians and the ability to communicate and collaborate with them to support student growth
• Has strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates cultural competence
• Stays informed of current research and best practices in instruction and child development
• Has knowledge of appropriate use of technology to enhance the learning experience and competency with assistive technology
• Possesses familiarity with legal responsibilities as they pertain to IEP and 504 plans within an independent school community