Learning Specialist

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645728931288{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”]Saint Mark’s School is an independent, Episcopal coeducational day school in Altadena, California. Founded in 1960, the school serves the needs of approximately 300 preschool through sixth grade students from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. The School’s mission is to develop the unique intellect and character of each student in a nurturing environment committed to academic excellence, respect for diversity, responsibility, and spiritual growth.

We are seeking a resourceful and highly collaborative Learning Specialist who has proven success at the elementary school level and brings expertise and joy to their work. The Learning Specialist will work closely with the teachers, parents and administrators to support students in preschool through sixth grade, especially those with learning differences. The Learning Specialist will collaborate with and assist teachers in implementing effective research-based strategies, pushing into the classroom to assist with differentiated instruction and implementation of accommodations. This person is an integral part of the Student Support Team and serves as a liaison between the Student Support Team and the teachers and families.

Personal characteristics necessary for the position include: a love of children; high energy and enthusiasm for school life; ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism at all times; excellent organizational skills and follow through; warmth and a sense of optimism; a collaborative nature and consensus-building skills; flexibility, patience and persistence; strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to de-escalate conflicting situations; excellent written and oral communication skills; and cultural competency and ability to navigate and promote sensitivity with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

This is a full-time, 11-month exempt position that reports directly to the Assistant Head of School.

Position Type:
Full time; Exempt status

Date Posted:
February 10, 2022

Date Available:
August 1, 2022

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Collaborate and discuss student concerns with classroom teachers
Observe students in pre-6th classrooms, assess output, and evaluate concerns
Problem solve and provide ideas for addressing areas of concern, addressing a breadth of learning needs and provide coaching as needed
Collaborate with Student Support Team, academic administration, and faculty to create and implement clear protocols and school-approved accommodations to support students
Align and monitor the effectiveness of interventions and alternative strategies to maximize learning for students
Coordinate, schedule and participate in Student Support Team meetings with teachers, administrators and families
Keep an internal list of trusted professionals who have worked effectively with Saint Mark’s and provide outside professional referrals to families when warranted
Serve as liaison between Saint Mark’s and outside professionals
Read, interpret, and summarize evaluation reports to assist in prioritizing outside supports for families and to support implementation of classroom accommodations and create confidential student learning profiles
Maintain secure and up to date files documenting student support history, including necessary records for standardized test accommodations
Communicate student needs to other constituent groups, including enrichment teachers, teaching interns, and administration
Conduct baseline academic screenings and student observations when needed and assist with kindergarten readiness screenings
Provide targeted individual and small group support to address the range of learners within the classroom environment
Provide professional growth presentations for faculty and staff and parent education sessions regarding specific learning differences and a variety of learning needs
Support student transitions, as well as conduct regular check-ins with faculty regarding students’ learning needs and provide new strategies as needed
Complete accommodation forms for standardized testing
Demonstrate professionalism through punctuality, collaboration, organization, participation in meetings and staff development opportunities. Maintains professional behavior including appropriate dress, good judgment, integrity, diplomacy, confidentiality, and a respectful attitude in professional relationships.
Demonstrate reflective practice and a growth mindset, setting annual goals and keeping current in contemporary and developmentally appropriate pedagogical thinking, strategies, and techniques through reading of professional journals and attendance at professional conferences, workshops, and courses.
Participate in school life and other campus activities as a full and active member of the Saint Mark’s community, including assisting with duties (recess/lunch, carline etc.) as needed and assigned, and attending school dances, basketball games, Fall Fest etc. in support of the students and school.
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and equity, fostering a culturally competent and inclusive classroom and actively contributing to a healthy, equitable environment for all members of the community.

Required Qualifications:
Master’s degree in special education, educational therapy, or a related field
A minimum of 5 years of experience in teaching at the elementary school level, as well as experience in independent schools. Some education and/or experience in early childhood education is preferred.

Additional Qualities and Qualifications:
A relational approach with a whole child lens and the ability to build a strong rapport with students, teachers, and parents
Must love working with children and demonstrate enthusiasm for supporting students in pursuing their passions, talents, and interests
Proactive and collaborative
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
A lens of curiosity, viewing behavior as a form of communication
Flexible, nurturing, and a good sense of humor
Superior organizational skills
Creative, energetic, patient, resourceful, flexible, innovative, and cheerful
Willingness to try new things
Open to constructive feedback
Familiarity and training in core academic programs, as requested

Physical Abilities:
Job includes some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling; hearing, speaking, observing and significant fine finger dexterity. Specific abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Generally the job requires 15% sitting, 40% walking and 45% standing and the ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations, a generally hazard free environment, and in a clean atmosphere.

Salary: As per pay scale

Benefits: A full benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage and a TIAA/CREF retirement plan.

Submissions: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and current resume to Kelly Mancuso, Assistant Head of School, at [email protected] by March 7, 2022.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Saint Mark’s School is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of mental, physical, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]