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. 

Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution. Its long-standing Teacher Training Center, which brings apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented people for careers in education and allows each faculty member the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field. Because of the school’s commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School.

About the position:
Shady Hill is seeking 2 full-time Middle School Learning Specialists beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. One Learning Specialist will support our Grade 5 students, faculty, and families. The other Learning Specialist will support our Grade 6 students, faculty and families and teach a half-year executive functioning study skills course to Grade 6 students. We are seeking candidates who are skilled in differentiated and developmentally-aligned models of teaching and learning; understands the importance of cultural competency and instructional technology; and is attuned to the cognitive, social and emotional growth of middle school students. Working in concert with the Middle School Learning Resources department, faculty, administrators, and families, Learning Specialists will deliver strategy-based 1:1 and small group academic support to students. Academic support includes, but is not limited to, executive functioning skills, writing, and reading comprehension. These are full-time, in-person, exempt (salaried), 10 month positions (late August - mid June).

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide targeted academic support to middle school students through a flexible push-in and pull-out model, with a focus on literacy development, academic skill-building, and executive functioning for students with a range of learning profiles.
• Partner with the Middle School Director of Learning Resources to interpret neuropsychological evaluations and other relevant assessments and translate recommendations into effective classroom supports and strategies.
• Support students in developing strategies related to organization, planning, reading comprehension, and written expression in order to strengthen executive functioning and promote increasing independence as learners.
• Teach an executive functioning study skills course for half of the year (Grade 6 Learning Specialist only)
• Conduct classroom observations and review formal and informal assessment data to better understand students’ learning needs and collaborate with teachers to support differentiated instruction and targeted interventions.
• Partner with classroom teachers to design and implement scaffolds, accommodations, and instructional strategies that support a range of learning profiles.
• Work collaboratively with students, teachers, and families to identify and implement targeted supports and interventions that promote skill development and increasing independence.
• Maintain ongoing communication with classroom teachers and families regarding student progress and supports in place, including participation in conferences and team meetings as appropriate.
• Collaborate with grade-level teams on planning and workload coordination in support of a balanced academic experience and a positive grade-wide culture.
• Participate actively in grade-level team meetings and in the work of the Learning Resources Department, as well as required meetings of the faculty.

In addition, the Middle School Learning Specialists will share in responsibilities associated with the position including supervision of student activities, participating in special events and outreach programs, as well as lunch and recess supervision. The Middle School Learning Specialists are also expected to attend opening and closing meetings (August/September and June) and other faculty meetings as scheduled and to serve on committees of the faculty. 

Qualifications:

• Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in education or related field. A master’s degree and certification in special education or a closely related field is strongly preferred. 
• A minimum of three to five years of experience providing academic support to children at the middle school level is required. 
• Experience with diverse learners and demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction
• Employs multicultural, anti-bias, and anti-racist teaching strategies and materials that reflect cultural competence 
• Effective, timely, and professional communication skills

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000, depending on 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. If you have a preference for Grade 5 or Grade 6, please include that in your email. 

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org.

About Shady Hill School

For over 100 years, Shady Hill has been a leader in progressive elementary and middle school education and teacher training. The year-long central subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. As a diverse school, we believe that a varied and inclusive community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire faculty and staff who share our vision. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off.

Connections working at Shady Hill School