Middle School Learning Specialist

Middle School Learning Specialist Opportunity Statement

Villa Academy is an inclusive independent school community dedicated to developing the whole child in the Cabrinian tradition of “education of the heart.” Through dynamic, inquiry-based learning, Villa students become active agents of their own intellectual growth in preparation for lives of service and purpose.

Villa Academy seeks a full-time Middle School Learning Specialist to join its three-person team beginning August 20th, 2026. The Middle School Learning Specialist plays a vital role in supporting students in Sixth through Eighth Grade needing additional academic tools or those with identified learning differences. This educator teaches strategies and specific skills to help students achieve academic success, supports student agency, and works collaboratively with teaching teams and other student support staff.

This is a full-time, ten-month, non-exempt position that follows the academic calendar, reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning for Inquiry and Equity.

The ideal candidate is a compassionate, student-centered educator who is professionally trained and experienced in best practices of learning support. The candidate will delight in working with young learners and their families, be a dedicated problem-solver, and support Villa Academy’s commitment to “education of the heart.”

• Provide a combination of push-in, pull-out, small group, and one-on-one support for Sixth through Eighth Grade students.
• Collaborate with the Villa Learning Support team and the Director of Teaching and Learning for Inquiry and Equity to ensure K-8 alignment of learning support practices and procedures.
• Utilize expertise in interpreting psycho educational evaluation reports and developing Student Support Plans (SSPs) for students, outlining strengths, needs, and recommended accommodations and interventions.
• Meet with families and students to design and finalize individualized Student Support Plans (SSPs) promoting goal achievement and academic growth.
• Conduct scheduled SSP reviews with parents and students throughout the academic year.
• Join Student Support meetings with grade levels and specialist teachers.
• Collaborate with teachers to plan instruction and co-teaching, identify supplemental instructional materials, develop assessments and for supporting students with varied academing needs.
• Partner with the Counseling team to provide holistic support and intervention strategies, ensuring a cohesive approach to student wellbeing.
• Support teachers with coordinating, implementing, and interpreting Villa’s academic assessments.
• Communicate clearly, kindly, professionally, and effectively with colleagues, teachers, students, and families.
• Support classroom accommodations for students as outlined in Student Support Plans.
• Design and implement a curriculum for the 6th grade Middle School Success class with a focus on executive function, and reinforce strategies taught in 6th grade Humanities and Math courses.
• Provide individualized academic instruction and support to 7th and 8th grade students in a pull-out model Learning Support class.
• Contribute to classroom progress reports and report cards of supported students.
• Participate in division meetings, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Commit to the mission, vision, and values of Villa Academy.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field, with emphasis on teaching/learning;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years of working with students experiencing a broad range of learning needs, as well as a strong background in interventions for learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of and teaching experience with structured phonics instruction and Science of Reading based approaches.
• Knowledge of or teaching experience with Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) preferred.
• A commitment to relationship-building, growing student confidence, and establishing a meaningful and collaborative learning environment for and with students.
• Knowledge and application of instructional technology including document cameras, interactive whiteboards, web-based learning software and Google apps.
• Excellen…