Lower School Learning Specialst
Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, Haverford, PA, United States
Position Title: Lower School Learning Specialist
Date Modified: April 2026
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Responsible To: Director of the Learning Center and Head of Lower School
Position Summary
The Haverford School, an independent boys' school, seeks a dynamic and collaborative Lower School Learning Specialist to support students with diverse learning profiles in grades K-5. The Learning Specialist plays a key role in fostering student growth by providing targeted, research-based instruction, partnering with teachers and families, and helping students develop the academic and self-advocacy skills needed to thrive in a rigorous classroom environment. This position reports to the Director of the Learning Center and the Head of Lower School.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provide small-group and individualized instruction with an emphasis on early literacy, executive functioning, and foundational academic skills.
Apply a strong knowledge base in the Science of Reading to support the development of phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
Collaborate closely with classroom teachers to implement effective strategies that support access to the curriculum.
Monitor and document student growth, using data to inform instruction and adjust supports as needed.
Partner with families and school-based support teams to communicate student progress.
Participate in grade-level meetings with the Lower School Support Team.
Support students in building confidence, independence, and self-advocacy skills.
Contribute to a cohesive, school-wide approach to student support services.
They must be familiar with current education guidelines, policies, and regulations.
Require strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Possess an understanding of character, culture, and community, and the implementation of those principles in independent schools.
Other duties, as assigned.
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education or a related field
At least 3 years of teaching experience
Demonstrated knowledge of learning differences and evidence-based instructional practices
Strong understanding of the Science of Reading and structured literacy approaches
Record of successful delivery of curriculum content
Ability to use data to monitor learning and guide instruction
Evidence of deep understanding of the science of reading as it relates to reading development and instruction.
Evidence of an understanding of math research as it relates to the development of math and classroom instruction.
Proven ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues and parents
Sense of humor, enthusiastic and happy; high ethical professional standards, and
multicultural perspective
Adequate computer literacy and familiarity with e-mail, Google and Microsoft Office products
Enthusiastic interest in teaching, motivating, coaching and mentoring lower school students
Willingness to be observed/and to use professional feedback
Adequate computer literacy and familiarity with e-mail, Google and Microsoft Office products
Enthusiastic interest in teaching, motivating, coaching and mentoring lower school students
Ability to attend meetings before and after the normal school day schedule and sometimes in the evening
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree in Special Education preferred
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Works in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts
May work at a desk and computer for an extended period of time
Occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled office environment and intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
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Date Modified: April 2026
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Responsible To: Director of the Learning Center and Head of Lower School
Position Summary
The Haverford School, an independent boys' school, seeks a dynamic and collaborative Lower School Learning Specialist to support students with diverse learning profiles in grades K-5. The Learning Specialist plays a key role in fostering student growth by providing targeted, research-based instruction, partnering with teachers and families, and helping students develop the academic and self-advocacy skills needed to thrive in a rigorous classroom environment. This position reports to the Director of the Learning Center and the Head of Lower School.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provide small-group and individualized instruction with an emphasis on early literacy, executive functioning, and foundational academic skills.
Apply a strong knowledge base in the Science of Reading to support the development of phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
Collaborate closely with classroom teachers to implement effective strategies that support access to the curriculum.
Monitor and document student growth, using data to inform instruction and adjust supports as needed.
Partner with families and school-based support teams to communicate student progress.
Participate in grade-level meetings with the Lower School Support Team.
Support students in building confidence, independence, and self-advocacy skills.
Contribute to a cohesive, school-wide approach to student support services.
They must be familiar with current education guidelines, policies, and regulations.
Require strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Possess an understanding of character, culture, and community, and the implementation of those principles in independent schools.
Other duties, as assigned.
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education or a related field
At least 3 years of teaching experience
Demonstrated knowledge of learning differences and evidence-based instructional practices
Strong understanding of the Science of Reading and structured literacy approaches
Record of successful delivery of curriculum content
Ability to use data to monitor learning and guide instruction
Evidence of deep understanding of the science of reading as it relates to reading development and instruction.
Evidence of an understanding of math research as it relates to the development of math and classroom instruction.
Proven ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues and parents
Sense of humor, enthusiastic and happy; high ethical professional standards, and
multicultural perspective
Adequate computer literacy and familiarity with e-mail, Google and Microsoft Office products
Enthusiastic interest in teaching, motivating, coaching and mentoring lower school students
Willingness to be observed/and to use professional feedback
Adequate computer literacy and familiarity with e-mail, Google and Microsoft Office products
Enthusiastic interest in teaching, motivating, coaching and mentoring lower school students
Ability to attend meetings before and after the normal school day schedule and sometimes in the evening
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree in Special Education preferred
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Works in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts
May work at a desk and computer for an extended period of time
Occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled office environment and intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
#J-18808-Ljbffr