Details
Posted: 21-Jun-22
Location: McLean, Virginia
Type: Full Time
Categories:
School Counseling
The Langley School, a Preschool-8 independent school in McLean, Virginia, seeks a Learning Specialist focused primarily in the Primary (Preschool-K) & Lower School (1st-5th) divisions, to join us for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Grounded in a deep respect for childhood, The Langley School offers an extraordinary community and an inquiry-based academic curriculum paired with a unique social-emotional program for students in preschool through eighth grade. Since 1942, The Langley School has shaped confident, kind, self-aware learners who are prepared to thrive in the nation's top high schools and beyond. Langley remains committed to attracting and retaining exceptional faculty as members of our community who believe in supporting the whole child, are excited about being leaders in teaching and learning, and want to work in a highly collaborative environment. Teachers at The Langley School are committed to the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each child, and create a nurturing and stimulating environment in which to learn.
The Learning Specialist position supports students with diverse learning needs through instructional coaching, supports teachers with differentiation, and provides direct support to students with specific learning profiles. Communication and collaboration with teachers and parents are key to the success and effectiveness of this role.
Specific responsibilities include:
Student Support
- Proactively monitor the progress of students
- Work with students on executive functioning skills such as organization, planning and study skills, both in small group and whole group settings
- Teach sections of Academic FLEX, a Middle School class designed to support students who need additional time, attention, and skill development
- Review educational evaluations and recommend appropriate action plan
- Oversee learning support tools (i.e., wiggle cushions, noise canceling headphones) and assistive technology (i.e., Learning Ally) for all three divisions
Teacher Support
- Coach teachers to support differentiated instruction in an inquiry-based curriculum (co-planning, co-teaching, and/or observations with reflection)
- Arrange classroom visits to observe teachers and students and inform how best to support them
- Attend grade level meetings to support instruction and intervention planning
- Analyze evidence of student learning in partnership with teacher teams to identify areas of need and targeted responses for students with diverse learning needs
- Partner with teachers to consistently and appropriately implement student accommodations, as needed
Parent Support
- Facilitate conversations with parents, in partnership with administration and/or teachers, to share observations and recommendations for student support
- Partner with parents and outside providers to support students
- Plan and implement parent education around instructional programs and student support
- Connect families to resources within and beyond the school to support their child’s learning needs, as needed
Qualifications include:
- A Master’s degree (courses and/or concentration in special education preferred)
- Expertise in supporting diverse learners, including deep knowledge of diagnoses that contribute to diverse learning profiles (i.e., learning disabilities, ADHD, language disorders, behavioral difficulties), and strategies that support diverse learners in the classroom
- Creative and collaborative approach to helping teachers support the specific needs of students, particularly those with unique learning profiles
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Experience reading and interpreting neuropsychological and/or psychoeducational testing preferred
- Background in interventions, such as Orton-Gillingham, preferred
The Langley School offers highly competitive salaries, excellent benefits, robust professional development opportunities, and tuition remission for faculty and staff.
Please send a cover letter and resume to Sarah Sumwalt, Director of Student Support and Social-Emotional Learning, at ssumwalt@langleyschool.org. Please write “Learning Specialist” in the subject line.
No phone calls, please.
