Learning Specialist

Full-time position to begin August 24, 2023

Perelman Jewish Day School, a Pre-Kindergarten to 5th Grade independent school in the Philadelphia area, is seeking a motivated team player to join our community as a Learning Specialist for the 2023-2024 School Year. The Learning Specialist has the responsibility of providing support for students with learning differences. Learning Specialists work closely with the principal, faculty, Coordinator of Special Education, and Coordinator of Social and Emotional Learning.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner proactively with faculty and administration to support diverse learners with academic, social, and behavioral needs.
• Observe and evaluate individual students displaying academic or behavioral difficulties and assess their learning strengths and challenges.
• Participate in classroom instruction, teaching inclusion classes, small groups and one-on-one resource support depending on the needs of the class and individual students.
• Participate in the development of student accommodation/learning plans with long-term goals and specific objectives.
• Provide regular written student-progress reports to the school and parents with assessment results.
• Maintain confidential student records and keep accurate documentation of sessions, meetings, and assessments.
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between student, family, school, and other involved professionals.

Job qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field; graduate degree preferred
• Have a strong knowledge of developmental needs of young children and appropriate curricula that meet those needs.
• Understanding of learning disabilities, psycho-educational tests, reports, and assistive technology
• Full understanding of differentiated instructional strategies across the curriculum
• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Technology skills including Google Suite and Google Classroom
• High-energy and enthusiastic about working in the Jewish day school atmosphere

• Familiarity with the following is preferred, but not required:  Training with ELL, Fundations (by Wilson), reading assessments that incorporate running records, hands-on math programs that utilize manipulatives, problem solving, and abstract thinking, Writing Workshop, Responsive Classroom, Apple products such as MacBooks and iPads

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing to teach or sitting at a desk and working on a computer for planning, writing report cards, parent meetings, etc.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• Must be able to navigate the classroom and adjust tone and height, by bending or leaning, in order to reach each child

Perelman Jewish Day School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Compensation for this position will range from $45,000 to $70,000, is commensurate with experience, and includes a competitive benefits package. Paid time off includes Jewish and secular holidays, two lengthy school vacations, and additional PTO. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, FSA, 403(b) and tuition remission. This position is in person from late-August through mid-June.

About Perelman Jewish Day School

Perelman Jewish Day School was founded in 1956 in a small room in the basement of Har Zion Temple in Philadelphia, with just 39 students enrolled. Today, we’re known as Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Day School. Over the last 6 decades, we’ve expanded to serve over 350 students, Jr K-5, in two centers located on two beautiful campuses in Wynnewood and Melrose Park. We are accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), are a member of the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS) and Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools. Our mission is to provide students with Jewish-values based education within the context of a rigorous academic program. The goal of our school is to develop confident, accomplished and compassionate graduates who have a sound understanding of their history and culture as both Americans and Jews. Our school serves students from all types of families and socio-economic backgrounds. We are a diverse and caring community, where every student has a special place.

Connections working at Perelman Jewish Day School