Metairie Park Country Day School seeks an experienced, technologically-astute educator who enjoys working with young people to fill the position of Upper School Learning Specialist. The Upper School Learning Specialist is responsible for providing academic support and guidance to students in grades 9-12. The full-time, 10-month position includes a comprehensive benefits package along with all school holidays. The Learning Specialist reports to the Upper School Principal.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Provide direct academic support to students with diverse learning needs, including individual and group instruction in study skills, time management, organization, and test-taking strategies.
Monitor and track student progress, and adjust interventions as needed to ensure student success; recommend referrals when appropriate.
Maintain accurate records of student progress and ensure compliance with school policies and procedures related to accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.
Collaborate with teachers to identify and address the learning needs of individual students, including the development of accommodations and modifications to the curriculum.
Facilitate communication between teachers, parents, and other school staff to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting student learning.
Provide professional development and training for faculty and staff on topics related to learning differences and effective instructional practices.
Work with parents in supporting the academic needs of their children, acting as a liaison between home and school
Help coordinate accommodations for standardized testing, update learning profiles online, and communicate with outside support (tutors, therapists)
Review psycho-educational testing
Coordinate meetings with families and teachers to discuss accommodations
Work with tutors and specialists to monitor progress and discuss student needs
Schedule tutors in assigned locations
Host educational information sessions for parents
Serve as the AP Co-Coordinator
Serve as the ACT Coordinator
Serve as the SAT/College Board Coordinator
Serve as the College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) SSD Coordinator
Maintain student records
Help seniors ensure they have appropriate accommodations when enrolling in colleges
Coordinate our OYES program
Aid in the planning of Summer Academy
Stay current on research and best practices related to learning differences, and incorporate this knowledge into instructional practices and interventions.
Qualifications:
Undergraduate degree required
Master’s degree in education, special education, or related field preferred.
Experience working with students with diverse learning needs in an Upper School school setting.
Knowledge and practice using a number of assessment tools to screen children at risk
Versed in interpreting data from psycho-educational evaluations as well as other standardized assessments
Ability to collaborate effectively with teachers, parents, and other school staff.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with laws and regulations related to accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.
Commitment to ongoing professional development and growth.
Information about Country Day is available on our website: www.mpcds.com
Interested parties may send a resume, a cover letter to careers@mpcds.com
Applicants should title all of their documents as their first and last name. Applicants should also include “Lower and Middle School Learning Specialist Position” in the subject line of the email.
Metairie Park Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
About Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie, LA)
OUR MISSION: Metairie Park Country Day School enriches the lives of talented young people in a dynamic learning environment, building strength of intellect and strength of character within a community that is simultaneously challenging and supportive. Our students learn to be flexible, to be adaptable, and to face the challenges of life with honor, optimism, confidence, creativity, and a sense of humor.Metairie Park Country Day School was founded in 1929 on a 15-acre campus located in an attractive residential neighborhood north of downtown New Orleans. The School has a stable and growing enrollment of approximately 760 students in Pre-K through 12th grade and sends its seniors to competitive colleges. Country Day has 96 teaching faculty, many of whom have advanced degrees and a long tenure with the School. The faculty to student ratio is approximately one to 8.7. While the School has a demanding course of study, with a number of opportunities to take electives, it comes out of a progressive tradition that puts a premium on challenging students to excel within their own frameworks of talent and ambition in a highly interactive environment. Values emphasized are a love of learn...ing for its own sake, individual responsibility, critical thinking, strength of intellect, strength of character, creativity and self-expression, and communal values. In supporting the character formation of each student, Country Day strives to sustain an atmosphere in which faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and others work together to foster a caring and nurturing environment. Students are encouraged to be tolerant of other views, to be morally responsible, to be adaptable to a changing world, to recognize and act upon a sense of social responsibility, and to see themselves as individuals who are also active members of a vibrant larger community. The School has a strong co-curricular program, including successful athletic teams in which most students participate, a fine instrumental and choral program, and a sturdy commitment to community service, all of which are actively supported by parents and alumni.The current Head, Mr. Matt Neely, was appointed in 2017. The School operates with an annual budget of $15 million. Various capital campaigns have raised the funds to upgrade school facilities over the past ten years including, most recently, raising funds to renovate and expand the Coleman Family Dining Room, build a new Science and Engineering Building, and renovate our Art and Lower School Science Building. Even while raising funds for these large capital projects, the Country Day Fund, our school’s annual giving campaign, continues to enjoy historic levels of financial support and unprecedented levels of participation across all constituencies.Country Day accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin.