Middle School Learning Specialist

Position

Purpose:

This full‑time role is responsible for leading St. John’s Academic Learning Support Program for fifth through eighth‑grade students, managing the School’s Learning Lab, and providing individual and small‑group direct support to Middle School students with diagnosed learning differences. The Middle School Learning Specialist is a key collaborator with students, parents and caregivers, the Dean of Student Formation, the Head of Middle School, the Primary and Lower School Learning Specialist, wellness clinic staff, faculty, admissions personnel, leadership and administration, and outside professionals.

Manage the School’s learning accommodation process for fifth through eighth grade students with a diagnosed learning difference, medical condition, extended leave, or long‑ or short‑term injury, which includes:

• Lead the appropriate process for support when a student demonstrates a concerning pattern of performance.
• Make recommendations and referrals for psycho educational evaluation, screening, and tutoring.
• Develop and write Student Support Plans based on psycho educational evaluations, academic files, and standardized testing.
• Consult with students, parents and caregivers, teachers, tutors, and evaluators.
• Adjust learning plans as needed.
• Maintain up‑to‑date learning support records so support and progress can be confidentially monitored.

• Attend grade‑level team meetings to gather and share information on student progress and needs.
• Attend Middle School Student Formation Team meetings to discuss ongoing student support and academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Annually, or at key transition points such as entry into Middle School or prior to eighth grade, meet with parents to review and receive approval of accommodation plans and/or to discuss student progress.
• Consult with faculty and facilitate extended time accommodations for Middle School students as needed.
• Coordinate accommodations process and proctor standardized testing and semester exams.
• Meet regularly with students to assist in time management, organization, study skills, and test‑taking strategies.
• Teach organization and study skills classes as needed.
• Manage and supervise the School’s Learning Lab.

• Schedule outside professionals who provide services to Middle School students virtually or on campus.
• Coordinate the scope and sequence of the study skills curriculum, which will begin in third grade and progress through eighth grade.
• Collaborate on the transition of students from Lower to Middle School.
• Educate and advise faculty, staff, and administrators on learning differences, remediation, accommodations, and teaching strategies.
• Monitor and analyze norm‑based test results, such as those from CTP, Milestones, or other, for students with Student Support Plans. Provide summary and detailed information about analyses to faculty; discuss results with parents as needed.
• Assist the Parent University coordinators with the organization and coordination of Parent University initiatives, especially as those relate to academic learning and learning differences.

The Middle School Learning Specialist plays a pivotal role in the life of many St. John’s families and is a valued member of the community who helps students maximize their academic potential. The Learning Specialist must:

• Model the St. John’s Code of respect, responsibility, honesty and care.
• Develop trust and rapport with students, their families, and faculty and staff.
• Demonstrate clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong listening skills.
• Demonstrate and exercise confidentiality regarding student personal and educational information.
• Embrace the School’s Episcopal identity, ethos, and commitment to respecting the dignity of each individual.

• Collaborate with colleagues on student support and learning differences.
• Leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of colleagues on the Student Formation Team in support of students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Pursue growth in relevant technology skills.
• Network with…