Employment Type: Full-Time, Benefits Eligible

Months Worked Per School Year: 10

Work Days/Hours: M-F, 8am-4pm, occasional after-school and weekend work

Start Date: August 2026

JOB SUMMARY

Paideia is a preK-12 college preparatory school of over 1000 students in the Emory University area of Atlanta; the elementary school enrolls 350 students in grades K-6. The elementary program includes twelve full-day, self-contained classrooms. There are two teachers in each class of twenty-six to twenty-eight children. Teachers work together as lead teacher and assistant or as two co-lead teachers.

The curriculum for the classroom is built around a central subject and is self-contained. The self-contained classroom—one in which children spend most of their academic time in one room rather than moving about the school for different disciplines— puts children, rather than discrete subjects, at the center of focus. Students develop a strong bond with their teachers and classmates which provides for a secure and nurturing classroom climate.

Most of our classrooms are multi-age, meaning that the age range of the children spans one and a half to two years or the equivalent of two grades. This arrangement allows for both academic and social flexibility.

Learning specialists:

The elementary learning specialist coordinates information about individual student learning profiles and collaborates with students, families, and teachers to develop learning plans and strategies for students who need extra academic support. The learning specialist works to develop an understanding of areas of strength and growth as they develop through elementary and to create a school environment that supports a range of learning styles.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the academic, and social-emotional development of elementary students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
• Provide push-in, small-group instruction in elementary classrooms.
• Collaborate with teachers to support the understanding of students’ learning needs and how to differentiate classroom instruction.
• In collaboration with classroom teachers, communicate with parents about individual student strengths and challenges, goal setting, and progress.
• Read and interpret educational testing. Synthesize information and provide a summary for teachers and administration.
• Support teachers in implementing the recommended strategies, classroom modifications, and testing accommodations.
• Collaborate and work directly with the Elementary Principal, Assistant Principal, and counselors.

• Vet and coordinate with outside tutors and build a deep network of outside specialists.
• Pursue professional development opportunities and attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with educational trends.
• Participate in faculty meetings as well as school-sponsored events
• Evaluate and observe students to determine educational needs.  
• Design an intervention plan and consistently monitor progress to ensure goals are met.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Demonstrated knowledge of instructional pedagogy, learning services, and an understanding of the development needs of lower school students. Demonstrates cultural competency and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum requirements include a BA in counseling, reading, literacy, or other related disciplines. Master’s degree is preferred, not required. At minimum 5+ years of experience in education and/or learning services at the elementary level. 

APPLICATION NOTES

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references via our online application.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. A benefits package is offered for benefits-eligible positions. The Paideia School is an equal opportunity employer.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, our focus on both social and emotional learning with rigorous academic offerings and opportunities for extra curricular learning, please visit our website at www.paideiaschool.org.

About The Paideia School

Paideia is a K-12 college preparatory school of 999 students in the Emory University area of Atlanta; the elementary school enrolls 333 students. The elementary program includes twelve full-day, self-contained classrooms grades K-6. There are two teachers in each class of twenty-six to twenty-eight children. Teachers work together as lead teacher and assistant or as two co-lead teachers. Other than classes with specialists including art, music, physical education, and library, children remain with their own teachers throughout the day. We believe the constellation of relative strengths and weaknesses among any group of students can differ widely; teachers decide when and how to offer extra help, when and where to augment a task to provide extra challenge, and when and why to take a step back to allow a child to process information. Social development is an integral part of a child’s maturation. Teachers help children learn how to work together cooperatively and effectively.

Connections working at The Paideia School