Educational Support Specialist

Housatonic Valley Waldorf School•Newtown, CT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Educational Support Specialist will provide academic and behavioral support to students and teachers in Grades 1–4. This role involves collaborating with classroom teachers and the Educational Support Group (ESG) to develop, support, and implement individualized Service and Accommodation Plans. The specialist will also facilitate small-group social skills programming and act as a supportive partner with families. This is a part-time position, requiring 15-20 hours per week, with a schedule determined in collaboration with the Executive Director and class teachers. The position follows the school calendar and includes participation in faculty meetings, professional development, and other school-wide activities.

Requirements

Experience supporting or teaching children with service/accommodation plans in an elementary school setting
Demonstrated interest and ability in supporting students both academically and behaviorally
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak with families in a warm, accessible way

Nice To Haves

Educational background or experience in Special Education, School Counseling, or Applied Behavior Analysis
Experience with creating and implementing Service and Accommodation Plans
Experience facilitating social skills groups, Lunch Bunch programs, or similar peer support activities
Completed, or actively pursuing, Waldorf Teacher Training for Grades 1–8

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the class teacher and ESG to develop, support, implement, and monitor Service and Accommodation Plans for individual students
Provide direct academic and behavioral support to students in Grades 1–4, working both within classrooms and in a dedicated support space, on a schedule developed together with the class teachers and ESG
Plan and facilitate small-group social skills sessions and Lunch Bunch programs to support positive peer dynamics among students with behavioral or social challenges
Collect and maintain clear behavioral and academic data to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and adjust support strategies as needed
Attend parent conferences and meetings as requested by the class teacher to present and discuss student support plans
Serve as a member of the Educational Support Group (ESG) and attend committee meetings
Recess Duties as assigned
Participate in all-faculty professional days, grade school and full faculty meetings as needed, and August and June work days
Fulfill all mandatory staff training requirements
Commit to ongoing professional development by attending lectures, workshops, and conferences that deepen one’s understanding of child development and Waldorf pedagogy
Participate in peer review and self-evaluations as outlined in the appointment letter