Steamboat Mountain School’s Teaching Faculty afford students active learning opportunities to engage through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The goal of the school is to foster confident, empathetic, and global learners who strive to engage genuinely with other people.

Steamboat Mountain School is seeking a dynamic and collaborative full-time Director of K-12 Learning Support to join our team of faculty members beginning in the 26-27 school year. The Director’s role will contain responsibilities spanning both SMS campuses:

K-8:

This specialist will work closely with students in grades K through 8 to assist with the academic progress of students needing additional support. They will oversee the implementation of all classroom accommodations including writing Learning Plans and running Learning Plan meetings, and communicating with faculty, parents, students and educational testing professionals to ensure that students access supportive and relevant accommodations within the classroom. Using research-based methods, the Director of Learning Support will also share and practice a variety of learning strategies with students to increase their academic and personal success, with a focus on executive functioning skills including emotion regulation and time management. They will work closely with faculty and parents to ensure that all students are able to access supportive learning environments, including providing regular updates to parents detailing student progress. This teacher will report directly to the Head of Lower & Middle School.

9-12:

At the Upper School, this specialist will run the Learning Support Center, a resource for students who require additional academic and/or executive functioning support. The Director of Learning Support will meet with students one-on-one and in small groups, supporting executive functioning skills and providing subject-specific support as needed. The Director of Learning Support will also oversee the implementation of all classroom accommodations at the Upper School, and will write student Learning Plans and run Learning Plan meetings. They will work closely with faculty to ensure that all students are supported in classrooms, with a focus on Universal Design for Learning Principles. This specialist will provide professional development for faculty on neurodiversity, including but not limited to best practices for supporting neurodivergent students, and professional development on Learning Differences and ADHD. Finally, the Director of Learning Support will work closely with other Upper School administrators to ensure that school policies and procedures are equitable and inclusive to all learners. At the Upper School, the Director of Learning Support will report directly to the Assistant Head of School (AHOS). 

Background:

Candidates will have a professional educational background, deep understanding of their subject matter and content knowledge–particularly expertise in early literacy work and executive functioning coaching–as well as a passion for teaching, learning, and supporting neurodivergent students at all levels. The Director of Learning Support will work closely with Lower School and Upper School teachers to ensure that fundamental skills for students in need are aligned with schoolwide approaches. Candidates should be familiar with differentiating the curriculum so that each student has the opportunity to engage in learning that is appropriately challenging. A fundamental aspect of teaching all grades at SMS is ensuring that there is a clear focus on social-emotional development. 

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop student learning plans and communicate accommodations and instructional strategies with faculty
• Lead all learning plan meetings, engaging faculty, teachers, and students in the process
• Help students, faculty, and parents better understand and utilize student accommodations, interventions, and support
• Provide current, research-based education and training to faculty and parents on learning differences and accommodations
• Meet regularly with identified students one on one and/or in small groups to support with organization, completion of work, general understanding of concepts, and other executive functioning skills
• Help students, in alignment with their teachers, track progress and completion of work
• Employ a variety of teaching methods and differentiated instruction to engage a range of learners.
• Maintain accurate records of student growth and communicate progress with relevant colleagues and families.
• Maintain written records of time spent with students and communicate progress with parents
• Participate in regular meetings with the student support team
• When necessary, read applicant files in order to better inform the admissions process
• Apply for standardized testing accommodations for students with diagnosed learning differences
• Lead and participate in outdoor trips
• Assist in residential duty on campus if living on campus
• Teach a first-year seminar on academic skills and competencies
• Teach 1-2 elective courses per year as aligned with interest and time

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) Degree in Special Education, Literacy, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience
• Elementary school expertise in reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension)
• Knowledge of learning assistive technology
• Experience with supporting executive functioning 
• Organizational and time management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication 
• A collaborative attitude and ability to work effectively with colleagues
• Sense of humor, optimism, and possess a growth-mindset
• Knowledge of social emotional learning and child development

About Steamboat Mountain School

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