Middle School Learning Specialist

Washington Montessori School 

Job posting: Middle School Learning Specialist

February, 2025

Washington Montessori School creates an inclusive and joyful environment, supported by a deeply rooted community of families and educators, where children embrace their individual and collective potential and prepare to live with integrity in a changing world.

Washington Montessori School seeks an experienced educator with a background in special education who is passionate about and skilled in meeting the diverse needs of upper elementary and middle school students. Working in alignment with Montessori philosophy and practice, the Middle School Learning Specialist will provide and coordinate support services, collaborate with staff, and engage with families to ensure each child's academic success.

Founded in 1965, Washington Montessori School exists to educate children and to teach and nurture the skills necessary for success in a changing world through a foundation of Montessori philosophy and principles and best educational practices. WMS also upholds the highest standards of independent school education as articulated in the Standards of the Connecticut Association Independent Schools, Principles of Good Practice of the National Association of Independent Schools, and the American Montessori Society’s Philosophy and Practice and Code of Ethics. Washington Montessori School hires skilled, passionate, dedicated adults who demonstrate our core values: kindness and respect for others, a reverence for human potential, and a flexible, resilient growth mindset. 

Successful candidates will join a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking teaching community of over 50 adults serving 270 students from 18 months through 8th grade. This full-time, 10-month, salaried position starts August 20, 2025, and reports to the Director of Student Support Services. 

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with Classroom Teachers, Specialist Teachers, Learning Specialists, Middle School Director, and School Counselor to serve individuals and small groups of students, providing remediation in push-in and pull-out models, including afterschool study halls for elementary and middle school students.
• Serve as a Middle School advisor, participate in Outdoor Education overnight trips, chaperone school events, and contribute to life in the Middle School. 
• Create a supportive and inclusive instructional environment that honors and nurtures each child’s individual identity
• Identify and respond to individual students’ learning differences, create enrichment opportunities in collaboration with classroom teachers, and support teachers with recommended accommodations and interventions
• Conduct assessments to help determine intervention plans and coordinate and review screenings and evaluations with parents/guardians, teachers, and evaluators to design a support plan
• Make referrals to appropriate outside specialists in collaboration with the Director of Student Services, and act as a liaison between the school and outside professional support.  
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians to coordinate  services and accommodation plans and updates on student progress in coordination with Director of Student Services
• Update cumulative information in student files, including regular assessment of student progress and adjustment of student goals to support the development of executive functioning in all students
• Observe students in classroom settings to help teachers with behavior management and learning issues
• Participate in student admission and re-enrollment process
• Assist in the transition to and from Upper Elementary to Middle School, communicating regularly with student support staff, including an annual transition meeting in the spring
• Consult with and/or provide counsel to the high school placement coordinator regarding student needs

Requirements

• Masters Degree in special education, reading, literacy or other related credential strongly preferred

• Montessori Training, or training in methodology such as Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, or Slingerland is preferred, and additional trainings, certificates, experiences, and degrees that focus on working with children with learning differences are valued
• Extensive experience working with children ages 9-14 in a student support setting
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in childhood development and social-emotional learning
• Excellent organizational skills, verbal and written skills, technology skills, interpersonal and counseling skills, and attention to detail
• Commitment to professional growth, reflective practice, and growth mindset
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations, including students, parents, and faculty
• Genuine interest and excitement in working with students, teachers, and parents in order to support  learning and growth
• The physical ability to work with young children ages 18 months to 8th grade in a school setting
• Willingness to learn about and enact Montessori Peace and Justice principles, including best practices for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply