Middle School Learning Specialist (26-27 School Year)

Description

Boulder Country Day (BCD) is seeking exceptional educators who bring joy, heart and excellence to the classroom!About Boulder Country Day School

BCD is a premier independent school in Boulder. For more than 35 years, Boulder Country Day School has been at the forefront of education in the Boulder Valley and we offer an educational experience where empowered minds ignite global change.

We invite you to discover the BCD difference! From the employees we hire, to our welcoming and safe campus environment, to the curriculum we teach, at BCD we honor and celebrate community and students.

Core Values

BCD has coalesced around a shared set of values that define our community and support our mission. Our values are the cornerstones of how we show up and are tenets we work hard to uphold everyday. To embody our values thoroughly and authentically means to take care of ourselves and others, explore many paths on our learning journey, meet new challenges with a sense of curiosity, and create inclusion and belonging in all aspects of the school experience in order to be part of something bigger than ourselves. All candidates for this position must not only commit to these values, but also work diligently to help bring them to life on a daily basis.

This full-time position reports to the Middle School Head and Head of School. The Middle School Learning Support Specialist works with the Middle School and Learning Center Team to serve the learning needs of BCD’s neurodiverse middle school students. The learning specialist also plays a vital role in supporting BCD’s middle school teachers in meeting the accommodations and needs of the student population, and they serve as a critical communication link between the school and its families.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Facilitate the Middle School “Student Support Team” meetings.
• Mentor and support teachers to implement a strategic plan for ongoing support and intervention (support or enrichment) addressing individual students’ needs;
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and/ or other parties (tutors, psych-educational evaluators, and other service providers) in implementing learning plans by providing strategies, resources, assistance, advice, and best practices and methodologies training.
• Create and implement protocols for determining students who will need the support of the Learning Center;
• Observe individual students to identify any potential learning needs, determine effective educational supports, and make referrals for further assessment when appropriate;
• Maintain a comprehensive system for documenting student support, classroom strategies, and accommodations.
• Serve as a mentor and guide for Middle School teachers in creating accessible lesson plans and diversifying instructional techniques by adjusting, modifying, and enriching the content of lesson plans.
• Remain current with appropriate instructional theory, practice, and research, including professional development, to advance the Learning Center's role.
• Provide Individualized and small group support through push-in and pull-out intervention models, including coordinating accommodations such as extended time and separate testing environments.
• Assess incoming and prospective students for admission;
• Partner with local high schools to support students as they transition from BCD to their high school of choice
• Partner with and support BCD families through the testing referral process and in understanding BCD’s accommodations
• Use the BCD ADHD Symptoms forms to provide reports on the effectiveness of medications in the school environment.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Director of the Learning Center and/or Head of School.

Hours and Pay

• BCD’s teachers work traditional school hours (7:30 - 3:30)
• Salary range is $54,000 to $85,000 annually
• This is a 10 month position following an August through May school year calendar.
• This is an exempt position with excellent benefits and paid time off as outlined below

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off including 10 paid holidays, as well as 48 hours of PTO and 48 hours of sick time
• Extended time off when school is closed for Thanksgiving break (one week), winter break (two weeks) and spring school break (one week)
• Approximately 95% employer paid medical/dental/vision insurance for employees
• Annual Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement savings plan with a 5% employer match
• Tuition reduction up to 50% for students of employees that enroll in BCD
• Relocation support for non-local candidates

Additional Perks

• Access to our Extended Day and Summer Programs at no charge for employees who have children
• Wellness Stipend
• Opportunities to earn additional compensation through additional activities such as coaching and enrichment classes
• Access to professional development opportunities - including funding, time, mentoring, and support
• High quality, nutritional lunch options during work - at no cost

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Commitment Boulder Country Day School recognizes and values all forms of diversity and is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment which honors each member for their individual differences, experiences and strengths. Our intentional commitment to embracing and exploring issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in support of social justice affords the freedom for all members of our school community to flourish as unique, confident, compassionate, and ethical individuals. 

Requirements

• Experience as a Middle School Learning Specialist or Interventionist 
• 5-15 years of teaching experience
• Degree in Special Education (preferred)

Skills:

• Differentiated Instruction
• Assessment and Data Interpretation
• Instructional Technology
• Knowledge of Special Education and Learning Disabilities
• Behavior Management
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Patience and Empathy
• Time Management and Organization
• Cultural Competence
• Problem-solving and Critical Thinking
• Strong Communication Skills
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Goal-Oriented Instruction
• Conflict Resolution
• Understanding of Adolescent Development
• Professional Development and Lifelong Learning
• Goal Setting and Progress Monitoring
• Creativity in Lesson Design
• Knowledge of Curriculum Standards
• Emotional Intelligence