Learning Specialist

St. Luke’s School, a secular (non-religious), college-preparatory day school serving grades 5 through 12 in New Canaan, Connecticut, seeks a full-time Learning Specialist. If you are an energetic, creative, and empathetic team player, a skilled communicator, and a joyful presence in the lives of adolescents, we look forward to meeting you.

Your primary role at St Luke’s will be to support both middle and upper school students in the development of learning strategies, organization, and study skills; provide individual and/or group instruction as appropriate; and serve as a resource and liaison for faculty, families, and outside community partners. You will report to the Director of Well-Being and Academic Support and also work closely with the Middle and Upper School Division Heads and colleagues such as deans, clinical psychologists, advisors, and members of the admissions office.

A successful candidate will join an exceptionally capable and caring department that includes School Counselors and Learning Specialists. We are crafting a comprehensive program that is preventative in design, developmental in implementation, and supports our students in the areas of academic, personal, and social-emotional development. 

This is a full-time, school-year (i.e., summers off) staff position with excellent benefits including medical, dental, and life insurance as well as an employer-matching retirement savings plan. The position requires at minimum a bachelor’s degree and/or certification in Special Education, School Psychology, or comparable fields. An ideal candidate will also have prior full-time classroom teaching experience.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Interpret educational and cognitive testing and other diagnostics in order to develop learning profiles and make recommendations for adaptive and/or accommodative strategies to students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
• Attend cyclical grade-level and support team meetings to monitor patterns and progress, identify priority learning needs for individual students, and* discuss optimal strategies* for furthering each student’s growth.*
• Help students strengthen executive functioning and study skills by conducting individual appointments and recurring check-in meetings; supervising daily study time; teaching mini-courses or workshops; developing online resource collections and instructional material, etc.
• Educate faculty and parents on topics relevant to learning differences, and cultivate* a network of community professionals to support St. Luke’s students and families, including recommended tutors, extracurricular resources, and summer/other programs.
• Act as a trusted partner and advisor to students and families navigating major transitions such as course placement recommendations, summer work, matriculation to upper or middle school, college accommodation requests and planning, etc.
• Coordinate school-based testing for students with approved accommodations, including communicating with standardized testing agencies and with families navigating the process of applying for non-standard test administration.
• Supervise extended-time testing on St. Luke’s exams and standardized tests offered during the school day.
• Ensure school adherence to and compliance with relevant laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school.

Key Skills and Qualities:

• Commitment to Equity and Inclusion - passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills - communicates clearly and compellingly in person and in writing; anticipates and responds to needs in a timely and conscientious manner; builds strong relationships of trust and respect with parents, faculty, and staff. 
• Teamwork - dedicated to increasing team effectiveness through collaboration with and support for others; respects and is committed to learning with and from colleagues.
• Dependability - does whatever it takes to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes under tight deadlines; successfully manages projects through strong organization, planning, and balancing of multiple priorities; pays close attention to detail.
• Innovative Problem-Solving - approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.

• Strong cultural competency skills, with a demonstrated commitment to furthering an equitable and inclusive school community 
• Eagerness to develop student agency through meaningful learning experiences
• Dedication to cultivating a sense of belonging in students by building trusting relationships 
• Experience providing clear and actionable feedback to students, grounded in a growth mindset
• Desire to continue growing professionally 

Located in New Canaan, Connecticut, St. Luke’s attracts families from over 35 towns throughout Connecticut and New York. A combination of challenging academics and truly exceptional community support distinguishes St. Luke’s and encourages our students to go above and beyond their own expectations. The school offers an inclusive environment where differences in race, culture, and personal beliefs are embraced as assets that enhance education. St. Luke’s prides itself on being a forward-thinking school where students hone their own distinct leadership skills - developing a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead.

St. Luke’s School is an equal opportunity employer. St. Luke’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law with regard to hiring, terms and conditions of employment or educational programs. We strive to provide a welcoming educational environment where the value and dignity of every member is respected.