Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, an independent Jewish day school in suburban Philadelphia, seeks an experienced, dynamic, and caring educator to serve as a full-time learning specialist and advisor for the 2022-2023 school year. Interested candidates must have the ability to collaborate with colleagues and foster a growth mindset for each of their students. Developing an inclusive environment where students feel safe to take risks in their learning is a central value for the Barrack academic program. In addition, the candidate should seek professional growth and learning through team meetings, professional development opportunities, and collaboration with Barrack educators. The ideal candidate teaches with energy and enthusiasm. Students and faculty are guided by the four values in our school’s Derech Eretz Honor Code: Honor, Moral Courage, Kindness, and Community.

The Resource program guides students to gain an understanding about how to best learn and to discover the strategies and techniques to become independent learners. Small groups of 2-3 students work with an experienced learning specialist on study, organizational, reading comprehension, writing, and executive functioning  skills, within the context of their classroom content and materials. Each group is customized to best meet the needs of each student. Qualified candidates should be experienced in teaching executive functioning and metacognitive skills through multi-sensory technique, and have a strong understanding of developmentally appropriate current practices in education. The learning specialist will be expected to assist in creating classroom accommodations and modifications based on assessments and formal psycho-educational testing for students with learning differences. A degree in Special Education, Educational Therapy, or related subject area is preferred.

 Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Work with students individually and in small groups, providing support in the areas of executive function, reading, writing, and study skills
• Provide curriculum support as well as skills-based remediation for students
• Review psycho-educational evaluations and develop student learning plans
• Support classroom teachers with differentiated instruction and curriculum, as well as classroom based accommodations and modifications.
• Communicate with families and allied professionals
• Plan professional development opportunities for faculty when necessary

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Master’s degree with 5 years of teaching experience and a strong background in educating Middle and Upper School students.
• A positive, strong work ethic, able to meet deadlines in a timely manner
• Enthusiasm for working with students and participating in school life
• Kind, patient, and possesses a healthy sense of humor
• Ability to work as a team member, cooperatively, with administrators, faculty, and staff
• An understanding of developmentally appropriate strategies and practices for middle and upper grades
• Comfort with using technology such as word-processing, electronic presentation, web navigation, email, and learning and information management systems
• Strong organizational skills to maintain documentation and reports as well as to assist students with executive functioning skills
• Skilled in communications and interpersonal relations with children and adults
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills

 For consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter to: Mr. Matthew Dorsch, Director of Learning Support at mdorsch@jbha.org.