General Summary:

Under the supervision of the Middle School Head, the Middle School Learning Specialist engages in all facets of academic support, serving as a resource for students, faculty and families. This position helps sustain a dynamic, student-focused and socially and emotionally responsive learning environment, collaborating both within and outside of the school to help students develop effective learning strategies that promote academic improvement. This person also oversees and reports to administration on student transitions from 4th to 5th grade and is responsible for supporting the 5th and 6th grade math curriculum.

Essential Duties:

• Provides one-on-one support for students in developing effective coping strategies for managing academic challenges;
• Supports students and faculty with organization and executive functioning;
• Collaborates with other faculty, parents and administration to review accommodations and student goals;
• Develops, implements, and oversees support plans and evidence-based interventions for students;
• Helps coordinate professional development opportunities for teachers focused on supporting students in the classroom;
• Teaches as needed;
• Organizes and oversees the after-school math support program;
• Works with 5th and 6th Grade Math teachers;
• Serves within the learning support team, facilitating and meeting regularly with team members;
• Develops and maintains communication and documentation related to academic support;
• Supports faculty by offering resources, assistance, advice and training to enable faculty to better meet the needs of all students;
• Supports the implementation of accommodations and interventions;
• Gathers and tracks data on students requiring support, provides regular reports to administration;
• Provides one-on-one and small-group support/instruction for students, both in push-in and pull-out environments;
• Works with Division Heads and Department Chairs;
• Attends support meetings with Psychology Department;
• Makes regular observations and reports on student progress and achievement;
• Coordinates information shared between the School and outside specialists;
• Consults with tutors and evaluators in creating dynamic, individual academic support plans that target the student’s specific learning needs;
• Attends parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and identify action plans;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education or related field required. Master’s degree or higher preferred. Must possess a minimum of two years of experience as a learning specialist or related role.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to complete a background check

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and willingness to participate fully in a dynamic day school located in New York City;
• Full understanding of differentiated instructional strategies across the curriculum;
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing;
• Strong knowledge of literacy and math support and enrichment programs;
• Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, administration and parents;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Positive attitude, flexible approach and a passion for learning;
• Ability to follow all policies and procedures of the School as written in the employee and parent handbooks.

About Collegiate School

Collegiate is a K-12 independent boys’ school, led by Head of School Bodie Brizendine, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We are a small school of 666 students housed in one building, giving us a unique sense of community and camaraderie. Students travel through 3 divisions, Lower (K-4), Middle (5-8) and Upper (9-12). Our student/teacher ratio is 6:1, with over 76% of our faculty having advanced degrees, allowing for close relationships and excellent, engaging teaching. The total number of school employees includes 160 full time plus 50+ part-time coaches, after school instructors. Our school was founded in 1628. Over the years it has moved around the city, with our last location of over 125 years being at 77th Street and Broadway. We moved into our new facility at 301 Freedom Place South and 61st Street in 2018. Our building, designed and built exclusively for our use, provides students with state-of-the-art classrooms, a 40,000-book library, two gymnasiums, a full theater and a blackbox, along with two outdoor spaces. All our work is driven by our statement of beliefs and our values. We believe that we are at our best when all members of the school community conduct the...mselves with respect, kindness, and integrity. We believe that the traditions and values of this old but not old-fashioned school can inspire boys to develop their individual capacities for personal and academic excellence. We believe that boys learn best when they are members of a diverse and just community that fosters purposeful and spirited engagement, inquiry, and collaboration in academics, athletics, and the arts. We believe that a liberal arts education committed to diligent and discerning scholarship prepares students to be citizens who act with conscience, courage, and compassion. The school’s financial profile includes an annual operating budget (2023) $45M, an endowment of $75M and $5.6M in financial aid being awarded in 2023.

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