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SF Friends School
The San Francisco Friends School (SFFS), located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, educates K-8 students in the tradition of Quaker learning. By example and commitment, we hope to inspire all connected with our school to work together toward a peaceful and caring society. For further information about San Francisco Friends School’s beginnings, mission and philosophy, please visit our website at www.sffriendsschool.org.
Job Summary:
The Lower School Learning Specialist is a pedagogical leader in the lower school at SFFS, advocating and resourcing for a range of diverse learners so they can thrive in school, elevating their strengths and undergirding areas for intervention and support. We have distinguished our program by both embracing a philosophy of early intervention, while also leading with innovations in pedagogical approaches that meet a wide range of learners, engaging the broader teaching community into best practices. Early intervention is a pillar of the program, and the instructional aspects of the role include teaching small groups, closely partnering with lower school teachers, and case managing students in the lower school who fall under our Developmental Support department.
Vital aspects of the role include teaching, observation, collaboration, assessment, communication, advising and coordination of resources. The Lower School Learning Specialist works closely with teachers in the classroom, meets with parents, and delivers complex information over time. They will cultivate community connections as well, working in coordination with outside specialists and programs. The Lower School Learning Specialist serves on a 10 month teaching agreement.
Responsibilities:
Meets regularly with other SFFS learning specialists and support teachers
Meets regularly with the school counselor and lower school division head
Provides educational screenings as needed for lower school students; makes referrals for private tutoring and/or outside evaluations for LS students when appropriate
Case manages lower school students with a Developmental Support learning profile; relays important information to teachers and works collaboratively with them to support students in the classroom
Maintains confidential electronic student learning profiles for lower school students
Communicates regularly with private tutors working on campus with lower school students
Teaches small groups in the lower grades using a structured literacy approach to support emerging readers
Participates in planning for faculty professional development with other members of the Developmental Support department
Works with other SFFS learning specialists and the Parent Association group, Learning Support Alliance, to plan and coordinate parent education programs
Works with Admissions department when requested
Job Requirements:
Must demonstrate
B.A., and a Teaching Credential (or equivalent)
Learning Specialist experience, and/or degree
Elementary school teaching experience
Experience working with language-based learning differences
Deep knowledge of learning differences, assessment techniques, and resources for supporting a wide range of learners both in and outside the classroom
Excellent communication and organizational/case management skills
Ability to work with multiple constituencies with professionalism, empathy, humility, calm, and strategic direction–parents, teachers, students, outside specialists, and the administrative leadership team
Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including patience, discretion, clarity, follow through, a sense of humor, and good judgment
Personable, flexible and adaptable; a learner who is a motivated and collaborative team player
Preferred Qualities:
M.A, Learning Specialist degree (or equivalent professional credentials)
Specialized knowledge in other areas of academic instruction, innovation, and learning differences–for ex. Structured Word Inquiry, Orton-Gillingham-based teaching approaches, gifted, mathematics, sensory integration, executive function/attention, neuro-divergence
Spanish Speaker, and/or experience with Bilingualism
Experience with public speaking, parent education, and professional development presentations
Database management, Google Suite experience
Compensation and Benefit summary:
Competitive, exempt salary based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits offered including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and matching 403(b).
EEO Commitment:
The San Francisco Friends School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital status or any other category protected by law. The school also makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities; candidates who need accommodations in order to apply for this position should request an accommodation as part of the submission of interest.
Employment Clearances required:
Livescan Background
US Employment eligibility
TB Clearance certificate
COVID Vaccination status
Please submit cover letter, resume and three professional references.
Attn: Jennifer Arnest
