Posted: 08-Dec-25
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Type: Full Time
Salary: based on experience
Categories:
Preferred Education:
With the recent unification of a local preK–5 independent school, Greenhills plans to open its doors in the fall of 2026 to a lower school campus with the eventual capacity of 150–180 students, bringing the total Greenhills School enrollment to 850–900.
Greenhills seeks dynamic, experienced, passionate, and nurturing educators to join the lower school faculty. Most importantly, Greenhills seeks fellow builders: extraordinary individuals with the capacity and professional experience to help found a lower school that prepares students for entry into our strong and robust 6th grade program on the middle and upper school campus.
The Lower School Learning Specialist is a member of the Learning Center at Greenhills School and a key partner with the Head of Lower School to ensure a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for young students across ages 4 to 11. This role includes working with young students experiencing academic difficulties and/or who have diagnosed learning disabilities. The Learning Specialist is, in consultation with the Director of the Learning Center, responsible for analyzing and interpreting testing data, and prescribing specific, appropriate and practical learning strategies and accommodations. With the Head of Lower School and Director of the Learning Center, they coordinate a team effort that includes teachers, other educational professionals, the student, and parents. The Learning Specialist addresses small-group and 1:1 learning needs through structured, evidence-based intervention.
As we launch a newly formed elementary school program, there is an expectation for the Learning Specialist to attend an extended set of curricular training, team-building and onboarding days, beginning as early as the first week of August 2026. After this founding year, summer professional development for the faculty at Greenhills School is typically limited to one week prior to the start of classes. The Learning Specialist may have other summer work as assigned by the Head of Lower School and Director of the Learning Center.
Greenhills School is eager to consider applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities. We want a diverse mix of talented people who want to join us as student centered educators and role models who bring joy and good humor to our classrooms, fields, and offices, employ a broad array of effective instructional methods, work collaboratively with colleagues, seek and respond to student feedback, and commit to reflective practice and continual growth. We pride ourselves on being a warm and welcoming inclusive community.
- Attend founding faculty and staff onboarding and curricular training beginning the first week of August 2026.
- Support teachers to administer quarterly assessments to gauge academic achievement.
- Provide individual and small group academic interventions according to need.
- Monitor caseload of students’ progress and maintain accurate records of growth.
- Contribute to twice annual narrative progress reports where appropriate.
- Serve as the point person for outside providers and parents whose children require support beyond classroom instruction.
- Attend and participate in meetings with parents, division head, classroom teachers, and outside providers.
- With the support of the Director of the Learning Center, interpret results of outside evaluations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities and write accommodation plans for qualifying students.
- Consult with teachers regarding students’ learning needs–both for students formally identified with learning disabilities and those experiencing difficulties in the general education environment.
- Work in partnership with the Head of Lower School, Director of the Learning Center, and Director of Teaching and Learning to design professional development and build faculty capacity to understand and meet students’ needs.
- Collaborate with lower, middle, and upper school colleagues to remain current on developments in the field of special education, learning and the brain, and elementary pedagogy.
- Attend regular faculty meetings and occasional all-school events that occur on weeknights or weekends.
- Share in student supervisory duties and general support and care of the school community.
- Maintain the materials and organization of the lower school learning center.
- Other duties as assigned by the Head of Lower School and Director of the Learning Center.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Master’s Degree in Special Education or equivalent; additional credentials in reading remediation (eg, Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell) or mild to moderate learning disabilities preferred.
- Five (5) or more years experience in elementary education and/or learning support services.
- The ideal candidate will have substantial expertise in the field and will be:
- deeply knowledgeable and thoughtful about learning disabilities, accommodations, compensatory strategies, executive functions, general student support, and social-emotional learning,
- a student-centered educator, skilled in fostering persistent problem solving,
- knowledgeable about children’s intellectual, social, and emotional development and willing to positively greet the challenges and opportunities they present,
- a seasoned collaborator working with faculty in all disciplines to identify instructional needs to enable/enhance student learning,
- a detail-oriented educator with strong analytical and organizational skills
- an exceptional oral and written communicator.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Ensure children’s safety while performing the following job functions:
- Frequently lift, move, or hold children in the range of 10 to 40 pounds. Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds.
- Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions.
- Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.
- Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.
- Repetitive motion, use of keyboard.
- Greenhills School property is a tobacco-free environment
- Follow state, federal, and Greenhills School guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training.
Fingerprinting Requirement: Because this position involves regular contact with students, all employees are required to undergo fingerprinting and a comprehensive background check as a condition of employment. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of this process.
HOW TO APPLY
A cover letter, resume, and the names of three references (including two supervisory) should be included with your application via this portal Greenhills Employment Portal.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Compensation: Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience and education level, and includes lunch when school is in session. Greenhills provides a comprehensive benefit package, which includes health insurance, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability offerings.
The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.
Greenhills School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.