The Opportunity:
Carolina Friends School is seeking a full-time Early School/Lower School Learning Specialist to work with our students, parents/guardians, and teachers to address the learning and behavioral needs of students aged 3-10. The successful candidate will join an Early and Lower School staff of skilled, dedicated teachers committed to the growth of the whole child and continually developing a student-centered, mission-driven curriculum.
The Learning Specialist will work closely with the Early School Head Teachers and the Lower School Interventionist to coordinate their efforts. In addition, this staff member will participate in weekly staff meetings, serve on school-wide committees, take part in our new staff mentoring program, and participate in school-wide and unit-based staff development. Staff at Carolina Friends enjoy a school community committed to a pedagogy rooted in Quaker thought and practice. We strive to collaborate toward the realization of every child’s highest potential in the classroom, community, and wider world. This position is benefits-eligible.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Serving as a point person for students with learning differences (diagnosed, gifted, vulnerable).
- Maintaining, managing, and improving learning needs program in keeping with the CFS mission.
- Facilitating an articulated, in-house process for identifying and addressing individual student needs.
- Providing recommendations of outside professionals, outside services, and resources for parents and teachers and consulting with outside professionals regarding needs of students.
- Reviewing and maintaining program records.
- Promptly responding to parent and teacher needs.
- Observing students at teacher or parent request regarding learning or behavioral concerns.
- Interpreting formal and informal psychoeducational reports for parents, students, and teachers.
- In collaboration with teachers and, in the Lower School, the interventionist, developing and supporting the implementation of individual learning plans, classroom strategies, and school-based accommodation plans.
- Leading meetings with parents and teachers regarding recommendations and accommodations with follow up on implementation and any necessary outside referrals.
- Supporting teachers in differentiation for diverse learners.
- Having a commitment to understanding how power and inequality, influenced by race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. impact our students and families.
- Providing educational experiences and facilitating work that includes diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Having an understanding of and strong affinity for Quaker philosophy and the School’s mission and ease with Quaker decision-making.
- Assessing teacher training needs and coordinating with Lower and Early School Head Teachers for specific staff development activities.
- Providing direct and ongoing leadership to classroom teachers through participation in staff development presentations and curriculum planning and development support.
- Collaborating with other learning needs staff within Carolina Friends School.
- Working with Head Teachers to make recommendations regarding admissions and students matriculating between units at Carolina Friends (including attending Saturday playdates and admission visits).
- Traveling among the Durham, Chapel Hill and Main Campuses regularly.
Compelling applicants will have:
- A degree in Special Education, School Psychology, or relevant related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
- Experience with a range of learning needs and ages, especially preschool and elementary.
- An ability to succinctly and realistically interpret the results of psychoeducational and other types of testing for parents/guardians and teachers.
- An ability to develop and write learning and behavior accommodations plans.
- Skills and experience in communicating with parents.
- Experience in consulting with teachers.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should submit, in one complete PDF file, the following to jobopenings@cfsnc.org, and indicate Early School/Lower School Learning Specialist in the subject line of the email.
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Statement of Educational Philosophy
- Names and contact information for three references
Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. CFS reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as all materials can be compiled.
APPLICANTS: Please review the Who We Are, Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity, and Important Information for All Applicants sections on the CFS employment opportunities page.
CFS is a equal opportunity employer in both policy and practice.