Lower School Learning Specialist

The Lower School Learning Support Specialist works on a collaborative team with other learning specialists, an advanced learning teacher and the ECC Child Development Specialist to provide and support push-in and pull-out instruction for students experiencing academic difficulties and challenges. The Lower School Learning Support Specialist works closely with colleagues to coordinate instruction to best meet individual student’s learning needs. This full-time, exempt position reports directly to the Director of Student Services.

Sinai Akiba Academy is a preeminent private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Sinai Akiba Academy is undergirded by our school mission to engage students in the joy and discipline of learning, and nurture a community of ethical, critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility.

Our core values of Kehillah Kedoshah (Sacred Community); Talmud Torah (Academic Excellence); Derech Eretz (Kindness, Empathy, & Respect); Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (Ethical Responsibility); Avodat Halev (Soulful Intention), and Ahavat Yisrael (Love for Israel) serve as a commitment with the students, families and community members that we serve to energize the present, explore the past, and embrace the future.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide a mixture of push-in and pull-out literacy and math support based on the needs of the students and classrooms, as determined by analysis of student data

Assist assessment team with universal assessments given to all K through 5 students - assessing and analyzing

Assess students currently enrolled in the Learning Support Program as well as students referred to the program with running records (DRA, Fountas and Pinnell), phonics assessments, phonological awareness assessments, spelling inventories, and other assessments

Analyze assessments to inform instruction; guide classroom teachers in closely looking at assessment data for instructional purposes

Communicate regularly with classroom teachers about student progress; discuss and support the implementation of modifications and accommodations for students

Become familiar with the school-wide curriculums across content areas

Work with the Director of Student Services to coordinate curriculum that caters to the diverse learning needs of all students, including: curriculum development, faculty coaching, model teaching, developing shared norms for assessment, and guiding assessment-informed instructional planning

Demonstrate a solid understanding of child development

Meet with administrators and Director of Student Services as needed to discuss student progress

Collaborate with families, provide updates on progress and advice on strategies and structures for home; and attend Student Success Meetings

Coordinate instruction with outside providers of students in the Learning Support Program (speech-language, tutors, educational therapists, psychologists, etc.)

Have an understanding of neuropsychological assessments and the ability to work with the team to provide interventions and accommodations

Attend and participate in the following: Staffulty in-service meetings, student assemblies, and other school functions

Attend and occasionally lead weekly Staffulty meetings and actively participate in curricular discussions

Participate in professional development opportunities and keep current on educational issues and trends

Oversee students, ensuring safety and supporting healthy social dynamics, during assigned supervision responsibilities

Learn, use, and apply technology as required by School to enhance learning, provide feedback to students and parents, and engage with colleagues. Technology includes but is not limited to JagNet, Google Workspace, Paylocity, and any other School approved software.

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Head of School in support of the school’s mission

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree in Special Education or a related field preferred

Minimum of four years working with Lower School students as a Learning Specialist

Experience with MAP is strongly preferred but not required

Ability to work on-campus 7:45 AM – 3:45 PM, Monday - Friday

Deep working knowledge of typical content knowledge covered in Lower School

Outstanding understanding of neurodiversity and diverse learning profiles including typical accommodations and modifications that support learning for students including but not limited to students that demonstrate Attentional Deficits, Specific Learning Disabilities, challenges with Executive Functioning and Processing Deficits

Ability to collaborate professionally and efficiently with Staffulty, parents and students

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask

Literacy: Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop; any specialized reading background such as Wilson, Lindamood Bell, or Orton Gillingham preferred

Math: Illustrative Math (training is available) and math background preferred

Ability to adapt to and master technology related to job function including but not limited to Google Suite tools, Universal Assessment and record keeping

Behavior Management skills

Warm, energetic, and engaging personality

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual Salary Range: $65,000-80,000

Excellent benefit package with a portion of medical paid by SAA

Generous paid time off and holidays

403b and employer funded retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base annual salary range for this position: $65,000 - $80,000. Annual base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at SAA are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at SAA, your final annual base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full annual base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for SAA in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Applicants may submit their cover letter and resume for consideration to Becca Furer, Director of Student Services, at .

Sinai Akiba Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.