Leave Replacement Middle School Learning Specialist (March – June 2026)
Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
About Shady Hill School:
Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK – Grade 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers. As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.
A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades 3-8 engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. Gradeheads (classroom teachers) are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in social studies/history, language arts, and mathematics, working closely with the performing arts and visual arts faculty to integrate these disciplines.
About the position:
Shady Hill School is seeking a Middle School Learning Specialist to cover a leave of absence from March – June 2026. This is an in-person, temporary, 75% full-time, salaried position. The weekly schedule is 4 days per week during the school day with potential flexibility depending on candidate preference and availability. Based on the duration of the assignment, this position is eligible for benefits.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Utilize a flexible push-in, pull-out model to provide direct academic support to middle school students with a focus on literacy and executive function across the curriculum
- Partner with the Middle School Director of Learning Resources to interpret results of and implement recommendations from student’s neuropsychological evaluations
- Provide observational and/or assessment data about students’ experience and performance in classes in order to target and differentiate instruction
- Maintain communication with classroom teachers and families regarding student progress and supports in place, including parent conferences and team meetings as necessary
- Work with students, teachers, and families to develop support plans for school and home and help to ensure continuity between school and home where appropriate
- Attend team meetings, as well as required meetings of the faculty and the Learning Resources Department
In addition, the Leave Replacement Learning Specialist will share in responsibilities associated with the position including supervision of student activities, Wednesday afternoon faculty meetings, and lunch and recess supervision.
Qualifications:
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or a related field. A master’s degree or certification in special education or a closely related field is strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years experience working with middle school students on reading comprehension strategies, writing, vocabulary, fluency and executive function strategies
- Prior experience differentiating student work and working with a range of middle school grades and learning profiles
- Effectively employs multicultural, anti-bias, antiracist teaching strategies and materials that reflect cultural competence
- Training and experience implementing targeted executive function interventions with middle school students
- Knowledge of and experience with a variety of assessments, both standardized and formative, and experience determining instructional goals based on assessment data
- Training and experience implementing targeted reading and/or writing intervention with middle school students (ie. Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading, Project Read, EmPOWER, Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing, etc.) is preferred
Compensation:
The pay range for this position is $1,000 – $1,300 per week, depending on candidate experience.
To apply: please send a cover letter and resume to apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “Middle School Learning Specialist” in the subject line of the email.
Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employees must be authorized to work in the USA. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org.
Shady Hill School