Learning Specialist

Upper School Learning Specialist

Overview:

The Spence School seeks a full-time Upper School Learning Specialist for a one-year leave replacement. The Upper School Learning Specialist is an essential member of the K-12 Learning Resource and Upper School Student Life teams. The ideal Learning Specialist is a strong collaborator, has a passion for teaching and learning, and deep experience working with students with diverse learning needs. They believe in the inherent abilities of all students and know how to foster a sense of independence and self-confidence in students who may need individualized approaches to learning. The Upper School Learning Specialist joins a team of passionate and committed educators who work closely with students, teachers, outside providers, and families, and reports to the K-12 Director of Student and Family Support.

Responsibilities:

Provide direct academic support to Upper School students through one-on-one and small group instruction
Partner with psychoeducational evaluators, families, and tutors
Support teachers, administrators, and parents in understanding academically vulnerable students
Collaborate with Upper School Faculty in support of students
Serve as the SSD Coordinator (Services for Students with Disabilities), managing the application process for testing accommodations for College Board and ACT exams, including direct communication with students, families, and the College Office
Participate in department-wide initiatives concerning issues of pedagogy and curriculum
Attend meetings and required community events during and after the school day

Qualifications:

Finds joy in working with high school students and in school life
Approaches work with optimism, energy, kindness, and a sense of humor
Demonstrates cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences
Regards collaboration as an essential component of professional growth and values working on a team
Has sustained teaching and experience working with adolescents with diagnosed learning disabilities
Brings broad expertise working with students with diagnosed learning disabilities
Has advanced degree or equivalent experience working with students with diagnosed learning disabilities
Demonstrates skill in working with adolescents and an appreciation for the craft of teaching
Enjoys a commitment that extends beyond the classroom, including contributions to the larger school community

Upper School Learning Specialist

Dwight School

Dwight School is the first school in the Americas to offer all four International Baccalaureate programs from preschool to grade 12. Guided by our philosophy of igniting the spark of genius in every child, Dwight is an inclusive school that aims to meet the unique needs, abilities, and interests of each student. At the same time, Dwight challenges every student to develop intellectual independence, respect for diversity and belonging, and to become innovators and thought leaders.

Known for its low student-teacher ratio, Dwight enrolls 1,100 students with 400 faculty and staff. Our School rests on three pillars: personalized learning, community, and global vision. As part of a leading global network of schools, Dwight offers employees exciting cross-campus opportunities. Additionally, with the support of The Dwight School Foundation’s generous grants, Dwight provides faculty professional development, enabling teachers to deepen their content knowledge and pursue their own sparks of genius to be shared with the community.

At Dwight, we strive to ensure that our environment is welcoming — a place in which everyone can thrive — and an organization we are proud of. We recognize that this takes trusting relationships and ensuring that all individuals feel valued regardless of their backgrounds. At Dwight, we encourage diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought, and embrace innovation and foster collaboration and growth.

We consistently strive to advance the equity, diversity and belonging of our community in all domains, including the curriculum, admissions, environment, and hiring. Our goal is to achieve and maintain equal employment opportunities, with policies in place to maintain a work environment free from discrimination.

Position Overview

Dwight School, an innovative preschool-grade 12 coeducational school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is seeking a self-directed, experienced, and energetic Learning Specialist/Quest Teacher to begin in August 2025.

Quest Responsibilities

Learning Specialist/Quest Teacher teacher maintains safe, efficient, and engaging environment; displays evidence of positive and appropriate relationship with Quest student.
Liaise with Quest HODs, deans, school counselors, and parents regarding student progress.
Utilize technology effectively to advance the educational process and engage students.
Provide one-on-one academic and organizational support to struggling learners.
Provide high-level support in one or more of the traditional academic disciplines (English, history, math, chemistry or biology).
Display a commitment to diversity and creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging in approach to teaching and learning, as they are recognized and valued by Dwight.
Required to participate in all staff meetings and an in-house professional development program.
Complete additional special education-focused training program in the first year of teaching.
Complete an online anti-bias training program in the first year of teaching.
Participate in one after-school activity two out of three trimesters a year.

Qualifications:

Actively engage with the classroom teachers, maintaining regular contact with parents about student progress in all areas.
Must be a strong writer and computer literate.
Highly organized and detail-oriented.
Experience teaching to a range of learners.
Eagerness to contribute positively to the Dwight community.
Willingness to engage with and learn from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to bring joy, kindness, maturity, and flexibility to the school environment.
Prior experience with IB curriculum preferred, but not required.
Formal training in Special Education preferred, but not required.
Proficiency in math (Pre-Algebra and Algebra I) required preferred.

Lower School Learning Specialist

The Abraham Joshua Heschel School&

Abraham Joshua Heschel School, located in New York City, is an independent Jewish school, N-12, unaffiliated with any single movement or synagogue. The school's approach to education is governed by profound respect for children. It nurtures their curiosity, cultivates their imagination, encourages creative expression, values their initiative and engenders critical thinking skills. The Heschel School is dedicated to inspiring its graduates to become responsible adults and active, compassionate citizens of the Jewish world and world communities.

The ideal candidate should have the following:

Master’s degree in special education, learning disabilities, or related field
Training in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, PAF, or similar programs
Experience administering a variety of assessments to track and support student growth, including Fountas & Pinnell
At least five years teaching experience as a learning specialist with a focus on attaining early literacy skills
A strong knowledge base in the area of learning differences, especially dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, as well as a deep knowledge base regarding ADHD
Experience teaching in a special education environment is preferred

The learning specialist will:

Provide small group and one-on-one literacy remediation to students in first through fifth grade, using a pull out/push in model
Collaborate with teachers to modify curriculum and develop strategies to meet the needs of a range of learners
Partner with teachers, families, and outside specialists regarding the needs and progress of students
Participate in parent conferences and write individual progress reports