Woodland School in Portola Valley is searching for a Middle School Learning Specialist beginning in August of 2024. Please view the complete job description and apply through our hiring link.

Position Overview 

The central mission of the Middle School Learning Specialist is to ensure that Woodland School identifies and supports its students who learn differently in grades 5-8, and to provide appropriate instruction and intervention based on educational best practices supported by research. The Middle School Learning Specialist also holds responsibility for helping to manage ongoing screening processes for all students at intervals throughout the school year and works collaboratively with the faculty to ensure students are progressing in accordance with grade-level benchmarks. 

When a student demonstrates a concerning pattern of performance and/or behavior, the Middle School Learning Specialist will lead the process of assessing and making recommendations for appropriate actions to support the student and family with the grade-level team. For some students, this work involves making referrals for diagnostic evaluations, assisting parents and faculty in interpreting evaluation results, facilitating referrals for specialized services, and monitoring students’ involvement with specialized instructors who are contracted to provide services. 

The Middle School Learning Specialist role also includes responsibility for working collaboratively with other faculty members to help ensure curricular offerings are fully differentiated to meet the student’s needs, and includes helping write and design individualized learning plans for students and updating them as needed.

Lastly, the Specialist will be responsible for teaching one section of “Foundations”, a one-trimester course for 5th graders focused on executive function and study skills. This course, which is taken by all students in the grade, supports them as they transition to the increased rigor and responsibility of middle school.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads the process for identifying, monitoring, and remediating students who learn differently. This involves interfacing with faculty, parents, and private contractors on behalf of students who require specialized academic instruction (including advanced learners). 
• Additional responsibilities include helping to educate faculty and parents on topics relevant to learning differences and cultivating a network of community professionals to support Woodland students and families.
• Meets regularly with and organizes Students Support Teams for students who have Individualized Learning Plans and/or students for whom faculty have growing concerns.
• Helps define appropriate general and specialized instruction, collaborating with the faculty to help ensure instruction is of high quality. 
• Assists with implementation of models of differentiated instruction, including specialized, small-group instruction as appropriate.
• Supports Admissions by attending key Admissions events and reading incoming student evaluations when asked.
• Offers occasional Faculty and parent educational programs or trainings.
• Teaches one section of the “Foundations” course.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred. 
• Applicants must have a strong knowledge base in the area of learning differences, especially dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, as well as a deep knowledge base regarding ADHD and Executive Functioning issues.
• Desirable candidates will also know about intervention and assessments related to specific challenges in reading, executive function, and math.
• An understanding of independent school culture and progressive pedagogies (including experiential learning).
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills as well as a proven ability to work with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Outstanding judgment and maturity.
• A very high level of energy, creativity and flexibility, and a love of working with young learners and enthusiastic faculty.

Overview of Woodland School 

Located just west of Stanford University, Woodland is an independent day school that offers a joyful approach to learning in a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment for approximately 300 students in early childhood through eighth grade. There are two sections of each grade level K-8 with class sizes that average between 14-18 students. 

Woodland School specializes in education that inspires students by nurturing each individual’s voice, intellect, and character. With rich content and an emphasis on inquiry-based and student-driven projects, students are empowered and encouraged to be active and engaged learners. Our students’ innate sense of wonder is the foundation of learning at Woodland School. Teachers craft meaningful, multi-sensory learning experiences that enable creativity, ingenuity, and deep interdisciplinary connections. Students explore and develop complex understandings that engender a sense of self and purpose in the world.

Woodland School’s faculty create a school environment that is as supportive and nurturing as it is challenging, and they embody the core values of the school—respect, integrity, curiosity, resilience, equity, and stewardship. Our teachers are themselves learners, constantly searching for ways to improve their practice. A robust professional development program supports our faculty by connecting them to the best practices in pedagogy, curriculum development, educational technology, and student assessment.

Salary Range

$68,000 - $99,000 Annually