2026-2027 Upper School Learning Specialist

Description

Exciting Opportunity at Francis Parker School in San Diego, California

Francis Parker School (Parker) is seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate educator who shares its core values: Students First, Academic Excellence, Global Perspective, Strength of Character, Inclusive Community, and No Limit to Better. Collegial and collaborative, Parker faculty create a learning environment that is dynamic and engaging. Parker faculty are content and pedagogical experts who invest in professional growth generously supported by the School. Importantly, Parker’s unswerving commitment to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community creates a culture of respect for all.

If Parker’s values and school culture resonate with you, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.

About Parker :

Parker is a coeducational independent day school in San Diego, California with 1,330 students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912, the school’s mission is “to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective, and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.” Parker has two campuses: one in Mission Hills (Lower School, Junior Kindergarten - Grade 5) and a second in Linda Vista (Middle and Upper School, Grades 6 - 12).

Job Description :

The Upper School Learning Specialist serves our Upper School population and supports students with identified learning differences by providing appropriate interventions; supports teachers in their efforts to advance students with different learning needs within the classroom; and works with parents, students, and outside professionals in order to better support academic progress. This role focuses on the provision of targeted instructional and literacy support to students in grades 9-12 through individual and small group instruction. The learning specialist works to close achievement gaps, reinforce core concepts, and build student confidence. This role also involves close collaboration with classroom teachers to help students meet grade-level academic standards. The specialist’s broad area of responsibility is to ensure that each student may learn and flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, and upon graduation is prepared for a successful transition to college.

The Upper School Learning Specialist reports to the Head of Student Success and Wellness.

Requirements

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• •Provides small-group or one-on-one instruction to students performing below expectations in reading comprehension, written expression and other literacy skills.
• •Uses diagnostic and formative assessments to identify learning needs, inform instruction, monitor progress and adjust intervention strategies.
• •Develops solid knowledge of the Scope and Sequence and all other grade-level curricula in each content area taught in the upper school, including the essential information, concepts and skills, so as to better support students and assist classroom teachers.
• •Differentiates instruction as needed (in content, process, product, and environment).
• •In collaboration with the Head of Student Success and Wellness, creates an individualized learning profile (LP) for each student requiring specialized instructional support.
• •Delivers targeted interventions aligned with the student’s learning profile, classroom instruction, state, national, and content area standards.
• •Serves as case manager and oversees the implementation of each student’s learning profile, collaborating with classroom teachers, counselors, and other faculty.
• •Holds annual meetings for all students with LPs.
• •Assists teachers in classrooms to help adjust and enrich curricular approaches and improve pedagogy.
• •Establishes and maintains frequent communication with parents about their child’s academic, social and emotional progress and needs. This includes discussing grades, phone calls, learning management systems, email blasts, etc.
• •In collaboration with the Head of Upper School, the Head of Student Success and Wellness, and the other upper school learning specialist, co-facilitates the US Student Support Team meetings and implements protocols for determining who will receive additional support.
• •Communicates student progress with the Student Success Team, teachers, and advisors
• •Provides support to students referred by the Student Success Team who are struggling academically due to concussions or extended absences.
• •Works collaboratively with Deans, Department Chairs and the Middle and Lower School learning specialists.
• •Works in conjunction with the Head of Student Success and Wellness to recommend tutors, psycho-educational referrals, etc.
• •Consults with outside specialists attending to students’ needs.
• •Coordinates scheduling for student observations, evaluations, meetings, and other required activities with outside providers when approved by the Head of Upper School and Head of Student Success and Wellness.
• •Proctors and supervises students utilizing accommodations in the Center for Academic Success testing room
• •Seeks out new and innovative curricula, texts, and technological applications for implementation in our classrooms.
• •When necessary, meets with the appropriate teacher(s) and department heads to ensure the easy and comfortable assimilation of all new students.
• •Remains current with accepted and appropriate instructional theory, practice and research. Including engaging in regular and strategic professional development to advance the role of the Learning Specialist (including local and national seminars and conferences).
• •Provides skillful classroom management practices (routines and procedures) to ensure a safe, orderly, positive, enjoyable, and productive learning environment.
• •Collaborates with the College Counseling Department and families to provide college transition guidance for students with identified learning support needs.
• •Provides professional development for faculty.
• •Attends and participates in faculty meetings, committee meetings, school functions, and professional development activities during and after school hours as needed, appropriate and assigned.
• •Upholds the philosophy, principles, policies, and procedures of Francis Parker School.
• •Represents Francis Parker School positively in the school community and the wider community.
• •Adheres to strict student confidentiality.
• •Demonstrated knowledge and experience with record keeping and documentation of service provision.
• •Performs other tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Head of Student Success and Wellness.

Qualifications :

• •Has significant experience within a thriving Learning Specialist Program and/or experience building a Learning Specialist program.
• •Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution, (Master’s degree preferred)
• •Professional Teacher Certification ( including special education ).
• •Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience, with a literacy focus
• •Extensive coursework and experience in special education or educational therapy.
• •Knowledge of intervention strategies, differentiated instruction, and data-driven teaching.
• •Experience interpreting psychoeducational evaluations and translating results into accommodations and interventions that reflect empirically based best practices.
• •Experience working with High School students both individually and in groups.
• •Knowledge of relevant technology.
• •Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• •Ability to implement formal and informal assessment programs.
• •Multicultural curriculum development and culturally responsive teaching experience
• •Strong interpersonal and cultural competency skills when working with students, parents, faculty, and School leadership.
• •High standards and high expectations for students.
• •Commitment to being a positive and contributing member of the professional community.
• •A love of children, a pas