Upper School Learning Specialist

Exciting Opportunity at Francis Parker School in San Diego, California

Francis Parker School (Parker) is seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate educator who shares its core values:
Students First, Academic Excellence, Global Perspective, Strength of Character, Inclusive Community, and No Limit to Better. Collegial and collaborative, Parker faculty create a learning environment that is dynamic and engaging. Parker faculty are content and pedagogical experts who invest in professional growth generously supported by the School. Importantly, Parker’s unswerving commitment to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community creates a culture of respect for all.

If Parker’s values and school culture resonate with you, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.

Parker is a coeducational independent day school in San Diego, California with 1,330 students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912, the school’s mission is “to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective, and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.” Parker has two campuses: one in Mission Hills (Lower School, Junior Kindergarten - Grade
5) and a second in Linda Vista (Middle and Upper School, Grades 6 - 12).

The Upper School Learning Specialist serves our Upper School population and supports students with identified learning differences by providing appropriate interventions; supports teachers in their efforts to advance students with different learning needs within the classroom; and works with parents, students, and outside professionals in order to better support academic progress. This role focuses on the provision of targeted instructional and literacy support to students in grades 9-12 through individual and small group instruction.

The learning specialist works to close achievement gaps, reinforce core concepts, and build student confidence. This role also involves close collaboration with classroom teachers to help students meet grade-level academic standards. The specialist’s broad area of responsibility is to ensure that each student may learn and flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, and upon graduation is prepared for a successful transition to college.

The Upper School Learning Specialist reports to the Head of Student Success and Wellness.

• Provides small-group or one-on-one instruction to students performing below expectations in reading comprehension, written expression and other literacy skills.
• Uses diagnostic and formative assessments to identify learning needs, inform instruction, monitor progress and adjust intervention strategies.
• Develops solid knowledge of the Scope and Sequence and all other grade-level curricula in each content area taught in the upper school, including the essential information, concepts and skills, so as to better support students and assist classroom teachers.
• Differentiates instruction as needed (in content, process, product, and environment).
• In collaboration with the Head of Student Success and Wellness, creates an individualized learning profile (LP) for each student requiring specialized instructional support.
• Delivers targeted interventions aligned with the student’s learning profile, classroom instruction, state, national, and content area standards.
• Serves as case manager and oversees the implementation of each student’s learning profile, collaborating with classroom teachers, counselors, and other faculty.
• Holds annual meetings for all students with LPs.
• Assists teachers in classrooms to help adjust and enrich curricular approaches and improve pedagogy.
• Establishes…