Career Center

Lower School Learning Specialist (Grades 3-5)

The Learning Specialist supports, supplements and extends classroom instruction and works collaboratively to provide a high-quality, research-based literacy program that meets the range of learners in grades 3 through 5.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Support and model the spirit of the mission and founding documents of the Dwight-Englewood School in work with students, teachers, families, and administrators.
• Develop methods to support students both in small groups and within the classroom setting.
• Serve as a resource to increase teacher capacities in literacy instruction.
• Serve as a member of the Student Support Team to develop ways to address individual student needs and to create a cohesive plan to be implemented both at school and at home. 
• Continue to grow as a professional through professional development opportunities.  

Specific Duties: 

• Supporting Students
  • Provide instruction to students in need of remediation and learning support.
  • Provide small group reading and writing instruction to the range of students in the classroom and in other appropriate settings.
  • Assess the strengths and needs of students, using a range of assessment tools, including standardized tests and communicate findings to teachers and families. 
  • Monitor rate of progress of strategies of support implemented for any student.
• Support and Development for Teachers
  • Provide instructional support to classroom teachers.
  • Support teachers in developing and utilizing assessments to guide instruction.
  • Work collaboratively with the Preschool through Grade 2 Learning Specialist and the Literacy Team to provide a high-quality literacy program. 
• Student Support Team
  • Collaborate with members of the Lower School Student Support Team to make referrals as well as review and implement evaluation plans. 
  • Develop plans to address individual student needs in coordination with classroom teachers and members of the Lower School Student Support Team. 
  • Provide teachers with an understanding of learning concerns and aid them in the implementation of school-based accommodations.
  • Communicate with families to develop and monitor plans for school and home. 
  • Communicate with external tutors, specialists and agencies to develop and monitor plans for support. 
  • Meet with members of the school-wide Student Support Team. 
• Assessments
  • Conduct diagnostic reading and writing assessments.
  • Plan, organize, and interpret student data.
  • Collaborate with teachers to provide and utilize ongoing assessment. 
• Involvement in the DE Community
• Supervise children during non-academic times such as snack, recess and dismissal.
• Participate in school and classroom events such as Back-to-School night, LS assemblies, parent conferences, grade-level planning meetings and faculty meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Advanced degree in Special Education or Literacy strongly preferred.
• Understanding of child development, curriculum expectations and benchmarks, for elementary school students
• Knowledge of reading intervention programs and other research-based strategies that support a range of learners.  
• Familiarity with a variety of instructional strategies including, but not limited to, reading and writing workshop.
• Familiarity with a range of formal and informal assessments.
• Previous experience working in an elementary school setting. 

Terms of Employment: 

• This is a full-time position in the Lower School. 
• This is a ten month position including vacations for winter break and spring break as well as other school holidays.
• Eight hour work days as well as attendance at faculty meetings, division meetings and department meetings.
• Professional days are considered work days and participation in planned activities is mandatory. 

About Dwight-Englewood School

Dwight-Englewood School (D-E) is a coeducational, college preparatory school for students in preschool through grade twelve. We are a diverse community where, in small classes, teachers create an environment that promotes ethical decision-making centered around the school’s core values: respect, honesty, good judgment, commitment, courage, and community. Located in a quiet New Jersey suburb ten minutes away from New York City, we enroll over 1000 students from 89 communities in Bergen and northern Hudson Counties in New Jersey, southern Rockland County in New York, along with a sizable population of students coming to us from New York City. Our convenient location accommodates both urban and suburban residential choices, provides a wide variety of cultural opportunities, and offers easy access to nearby athletic and outdoor experiences. www.d-e.org D-E is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or military veteran status. The diversity of our student body supports our commitment to employ a diverse faculty and staff. ...Educators who bring knowledge and expertise in equity, diversity and multicultural education are especially encouraged to apply.

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Connections working at Dwight-Englewood School