Lower School Resource Services Teacher

Reports to: Director of Resource Services

Full-time | 10 month position | Exempt

St. George’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, independent school serving approximately 395 students from Nursery through eighth grade in a family-like atmosphere with a highly trained and dedicated faculty. Educational excellence at St. George’s begins with the premise that everyone learns differently. Our version of personalized learning, our nurturing environment and our low student-to-teacher ratios ensure that we challenge and support every child. This is why our graduates develop into lifelong learners and consequently find acceptance and success in the finest high schools in New Orleans. Learn more at www.stgnola.org.

Position Summary

St. George’s is seeking an experienced Academic Resource Specialist to work with the Resource Services Department in Lower School (LS). The goal of this position is to provide small group instruction in math and reading to students needing specialized academic support to optimize their success in these subjects. Typically, these students’ learning profiles call for a varied pace of instruction, multisensory teaching methods and frequent review and repetition of on-grade level curriculum. Additionally, this educator will provide academic Resource support to a caseload of approximately 10-15 Lower School students by planning skilled intervention services based on the students’ Student Education Plans (SEPs). This specialist will be responsible for instruction, documentation and parent communication. This candidate will be seen as an integral member of their grade-level teams and will work closely with their teaching teams and students’ families to support the growth and development of each child on their caseload.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach a daily reading and math group of first grade students needing skilled intervention as part of their language arts and math instruction.
• Complete progress reports/report cards four times a year for reading and math group students.
• Independently establish child-specific learning goals for LS students on the assigned caseload receiving Resource support at the beginning of the school year based on data on an SEP for each student; update these goals and objectives two additional times during the year.
• Determine appropriate objectives on SEPs and plan activities to target the specific needs of the Resource students.
• Provide a variety of ongoing assessments to be used for benchmark and baseline testing and progress monitoring.
• Conduct Resource SEP meetings with parents three times a year; effectively communicate students’ progress and needs with parents and teaching team.
• Manage time to meet deadlines, to adhere to a daily schedule and to structure Resource sessions to maximize opportunities for student learning.
• Foster student learning by including students in their educational plan.
• Lead students to use their own critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Guide classroom behavior through respect and a positive approach. 
• Collaborate with classroom teachers regularly to support students’ educational needs.
• Consult with outside professionals as needed to support students’ educational progress.
• Be an active member in the life of the St. George’s community.

Qualification Requirements

• Master’s degree in special education or other related degree; 3-5 years experience in working with students who have language-based learning differences preferred.
• Knowledge of structured literacy and multisensory curriculums and assessments used for struggling learners, such as Orton-Gillingham-based curriculums and DIBELS Next or Acadience Reading.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace applications including but not limited to Gmail, Calendar and Drive (Docs, Sheets and Slides).
• Ability to use an online student information system, various educational platforms and safety/communication applications on a chromebook, iPad and/or a smartphone.
• Familiarity with using copiers, printers, document cameras and presentation screens. 
• Ability to work well in a team and collaborate.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills that prove effective in communicating with parents and establishing a team approach with the child’s family.
• Excellent knowledge of child development, latest education theories and practices and best practices in education.
• A desire to respond to and initiate the solving of problems through clear and open conversation.
• Openness to feedback and ability to take risks.
• An interest in pursuing professional development opportunities; dedication to lifelong learning and possession of a growth mindset.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands:

• Must be physically able to operate computers and office equipment.
• Occasional bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling and twisting; constant walking, speaking and listening; close visual attention to the computer.
• Occasional lifting up to 50lbs.

St. George’s Episcopal School as an Equal Opportunity Employer

St. George’s aims to employ a collaborative, creative, joyful and diverse faculty and staff. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other category protected by applicable law. We are committed to an inclusive school culture and to recruiting and hiring faculty of diverse backgrounds and experience.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter detailing their educational philosophy and resumé to Mr. Jé Gales, Director of Human Resources, at je.gales@stgnola.org, and  Mrs. Sherri Weiser, Director of Resource Services, at sherri.weiser@stgnola.org.

About St. George's Episcopal School

St. George’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, independent school serving approximately 385 students nursery through eighth grade and employing approximately 100 faculty and staff. Here, each child grows academically, creatively, emotionally and spiritually while developing a sense of self-worth and moral responsibility. This is a family-like atmosphere of care and concern with a highly trained and dedicated faculty. Educational excellence at St. George’s begins with the simple premise that each child is unique—that is, each child’s strengths are worth cultivating and celebrating, and each child’s challenges are worth identifying and embracing, for only then will grit and perseverance accompany growth and development. This is why our graduates develop into lifelong learners and consequently find acceptance and success in the finest high schools in New Orleans. This is also why our parents, grandparents, alumni, friends and students have an enduring love for the school.

Connections working at St. George's Episcopal School