Career Center

Pace Academy is an independent college preparatory school in Atlanta, GA, with an enrollment of 1,115 students in Pre-First through 12th grade. The school provides a learning environment that cultivates global citizenship, a spirit of service, respect for differences and strong character in its students. Our commitment to a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture is reflected in a community in which differences are embraced, and students, parents, faculty and staff have a sense of belonging.

For the 2022-2023 school year, Pace Academy is looking for a full-time Lower School Learning Specialist. The ideal candidate is an expert in the field of educating students with learning disabilities and has a passion for empowering students, celebrating their personal growth and equipping them with strategies that will foster their learning. The candidate must also value students’ social-emotional well-being as well as their unique learning styles, and must demonstrate proven success implementing best practices. Working with the Head of Lower School, Director of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Lower School Leadership Team, faculty and parents, the Lower School Learning Specialists provide academic support to students in various areas that affect their learning, as well as guidance to families and faculty surrounding various learning styles.

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong communication, administrative, critical thinking and organizational skills, as well as possess a positive, engaging personality and the willingness to work collaboratively with other learning specialists, administration, faculty, staff and parents. The successful candidate demonstrates strong emotional intelligence, values healthy relationships and sees the best in each student.

Learning Specialists must be able to provide explicit instruction in core academic areas, specifically literacy and mathematics. A successful candidate will have strong knowledge of essential components of the Science of Reading as they relate to the developmental stages of reading and experience in implementing researched based interventions, accommodations and modifications to curriculums where necessary. A proven track record in developing targeted lesson plans in reading and math, assessing and monitoring student growth, and analyzing diagnostic assessments, is essential. A desire to be an active member of the school community is vital. 

At Pace, we hire culturally competent and responsive candidates who believe in the critical importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the life of a school and can effectively incorporate those principles in their teaching. Pace actively seeks candidates from historically underrepresented populations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Creates a warm, welcoming environment in the ARC for students, parents, faculty and staff
• Meets weekly with the Lower School ARC Director 
• Maintains confidentiality and student integrity
• Develops detailed lesson objectives for students that align with their learning profiles
• Explicitly teaches concepts and strategies to support academic success
• Meets with faculty and parents to discuss student progress
• Works collaboratively with other Learning Specialists
• Composes progress reports for each student receiving ARC support
• Completes checklists and questionnaires as requested by outside specialists/evaluators
• Analyzes psycho-educational evaluations and uses them to inform instructional goals
• Leads parent meetings to discuss learning objectives and strategies
• Creates systems that aid students’ organizational skills
• Collaborates with Pace faculty and outside professionals (ex. psychologists, speech-language pathologists, etc.) to address students’ needs

• Effectively incorporates principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in teaching and classroom culture
• Attends mandatory training, professional development and education in antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion
• Models and reinforces the Lower School Code of Conduct
• Communicates effectively with parents in a timely manner
• Participates in faculty and professional meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
• Attends faculty meetings, grade-level parent gatherings, admissions testing, Sunday Sundae, Open House and Graduation

• Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications:

• Degree in special education or elementary education 
• Advanced degree required
• Experience as a learning specialist required (i.e., experience with ADHD, learning disabilities, non-traditional learners)
• Experience teaching literacy and math in an elementary school setting
• Certification with reading programs such as Orton Gillingham and Wilson Reading required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Adaptability in dealing with change or unexpected events to ensure the general welfare of the school
• Love of young children and their development
• A positive outlook, sense of humor, flexibility and a collaborative, nurturing nature
• Belief in the critical importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the life of a school so as to foster a sense of belonging
• Adherence with current school policies regarding COVID-19 must be followed, which may include: face masks, vaccination and/or testing requirements

Learn more about the Pace Academy Lower School at: www.paceacademy.org/academics/lower-school

Learn more about our Action Plan for Racial Equity at: www.paceacademy.org/about/diversity-inclusion/action-plan-for-racial-equity

Pace offers a complete benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurances, a 403(b) plan with a generous match, paid term life and disability insurances, supplemental insurance plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts.

How to Apply:

Send your cover letter, CV or resume, statement of teaching philosophy and references to:  Jobs@PaceAcademy.org. 

Please indicate where you learned of this job and your desired salary range. PDFs or Word documents are preferred. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer