Description

About Pingry
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary
The Pingry School seeks a dedicated Lower School Learning Specialist to support students with known or suspected learning differences and to strengthen faculty practice around effective learning supports. This is a highly student-facing role that includes one-on-one and small-group instruction focused on executive functioning, study routines, and work habits, along with regular classroom observation and in-the-moment coaching to help students access the curriculum.

Working in close partnership with the Lower School Leadership Team and the Counseling and Academic Support Team K–12 (CAST), the Learning Specialist collaborates with classroom teachers, specialists, families, and (as needed) outside providers to identify learning needs early, recommend appropriate next steps (including tutoring and evaluations), and support the implementation of strategies, accommodations, and responsive teaching practices. The role also includes management of student documentation and participation in key school responsibilities such as student support meetings, ERB testing, occasional faculty professional learning, Lower School duties (lunch/recess/dismissal), and Admissions-related support as needed.

The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of Lower School development and learning profiles, experience teaching executive functioning skills in small-group and individual settings, strong observation and communication skills, and an empathetic, solutions-oriented approach. A successful Learning Specialist at Pingry holds high standards for student growth while modeling optimism, flexibility, and collaborative teamwork. This position is an administrative 10.5-month contract.

Responsibilities

Engagement with Students

• Works individually or in small groups with identified students to support the development and installation of their executive function skills, study routines and work habits and guide their approach and progression through assigned independent work/projects.
• Assists in the identification of early developmental issues (speech, language, graphomotor, sensory motor, etc.) and liaises with county and/or private service providers.  
• Observes students in the classroom setting to support development and progress.
• Fulfills Lower School duties, including lunch, recess, and dismissal.
• Collaboration with educators, families, and outside providers.
• Collaborates with faculty and academic specialists to identify and support students encountering learning challenges.
• Consults with faculty to support curriculum around the development of executive function skills, study routines, and effective work habits
• Serves as the point person to facilitate recommendations for tutoring and learning evaluations, in collaboration with the Lower School Counselor.
• Works with teachers to facilitate their understanding and implementation of instructional strategies, learning supports,, and accommodations for students who have accommodation plans or who are suspected of having a learning difference.  
• Regularly communicates with families of students with known/suspected learning differences, as needed, to discuss/provide academic status and progress.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Responsive Classroom practices and co-facilitates Morning Meeting in Grades 3–5.
• Participates in grade level student review/support meetings to contribute information, make suggestions, and monitor progress of students with known/suspected learning differences.  
• Leads faculty workshops on topics related to learning challenges and disabilities as needed.
• Participates in the facilitation of annual ERB standardized testing.
• Participates on the Admissions Committee and supports group visits.
• Collaborates with the K-12 CAST department around student needs, school policies and best practices. 

Management of Documentation/Records

• Manages documentation of students who are or may receive services/supports.
• Coordinates with academic specialists regarding management of documentation related to running records, ERB’s, informal skill level assessments, etc.
• Notifies families of need for re-evaluation and progress.

Requirements

Qualifications

• A degree in special education or an advanced degree and experience in a related field (LDTC, school psychology, etc.).
• Experience in a small group or one-on-one executive functioning skill instruction required, such as direct experience as a Learning Specialist or Special Education Teacher.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience working with students with diverse learning needs.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with lower school level students and understanding of their developmental milestones.
• Dedication to supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students
• Robust interpersonal skills, including excellent written and oral communication skills
• Dedication to partnering collaboratively with a team of talented employees
• Comfortable with incorporating the latest technology into your workflow, including  Schoology and Zoom
• Skilled in navigating the Google Suite of applications (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact.
• Experience creating, supporting, and sustaining a culture of access and equity in a school environment.
• In addition to honor and character, commitment to intellectual engagement, and appreciation for stewardship and sustainability, especially important is the candidate’s ease with diverse constituencies and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive school community.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The salary range for this position is $70,000-$110,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education. 

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.