Middle School Academic Support Specialist

Charles Wright Academy•Tacoma, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Charles Wright Academy seeks a part-time Academic Support Specialist to support fifth-grade students, teachers, and families in understanding and implementing individualized learning strategies. Working in collaboration with the Middle School Learning Support Specialist, the role focuses on direct instructional support, skill reinforcement, and classroom differentiation for fifth graders. The position is a 10-month faculty role at 0.5 FTE, with teaching hours of 8:00 a.m.–11:20 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, and 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Thursday. The role reports to the Director of Wellness and Student Support. Occasional travel and the ability to drive are required for community events, professional development, and occasional student activity chaperoning. Charles Wright Academy is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school in University Place, Washington, serving students from preschool through grade 12. Its 107-acre campus includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of Pacific Northwest forests. The school emphasizes academic excellence, experiential learning, interdisciplinary study, and students’ social-emotional development. Its mission is to inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to navigate the future with confidence. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Elementary or Middle Level Education and teaching or instructional support experience with learners ages 10–12. A master’s degree in Special Education, Reading/Math intervention, or a related field is preferred. The successful candidate will bring skills in direct intervention, study skills coaching, differentiation, organization, communication, and collaborative problem-solving, and will uphold confidentiality and the school’s mission, values, and inclusion goals. Technical proficiency with Mac hardware and Google Workspace applications is required. The position is classified as exempt and part-time. Salary is prorated for half-time employment, with a stated range of $30,900–$47,380 depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits may be available subject to the applicable plan terms and candidate eligibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Elementary or Middle Level Education.
Teaching or instructional support experience with learners ages 10–12, in upper elementary or early middle school.
Demonstrated skill in direct intervention, study skills coaching, and differentiation techniques.
Strong organization, task prioritization, and time-management skills in an active school environment.
Proactive communication and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Ability to uphold confidentiality and align with the school’s mission, values, and inclusion goals.
Fluency with Mac hardware and Google Workspace applications, including Docs, Sheets, and Calendar.
Ability to drive for occasional work-related travel.
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods, move around a classroom, lift 25 pounds, and walk with students on outdoor terrain for forest time and field trips.
Ability to communicate and exchange information with students, teachers, and families using appropriately sensitive and accurate communication.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Special Education, Reading/Math intervention, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and small-group targeted instruction to reinforce classroom concepts, study skills, and executive function.
Collaborate with fifth-grade teachers to adapt materials, implement student support strategies, and assist with classroom differentiation.
Coordinate and administer testing accommodations for benchmark assessments and individual support plans.
Participate actively in the Middle School Student Support Team, attend weekly meetings, and align intervention strategies with the lead Learning Support Specialist.
Maintain clear, professional, and timely communication with families, teachers, and administration regarding student progress.
Model proactive classroom management that promotes self-regulation, joyful learning, and belonging in alignment with the school’s DEIB commitment.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Attend community events and professional development, and occasionally chaperone student activities; occasional travel and the ability to drive are required.

Benefits

Medical, vision, and dental insurance may be available, subject to plan terms and candidate eligibility; premiums are subsidized by the school/employer.
Basic life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage may be available, subject to plan terms and candidate eligibility.
Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA may be available, subject to plan terms and candidate eligibility.
Employer- and employee-contributed 403(b) retirement plan, with employer contributions starting at 5% and up to 7.5%, subject to plan terms and employee eligibility.
80 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.
Three days of personal leave per year.
Paid bereavement, jury duty, and professional development leave, subject to approval and eligibility.
Employee Assistance Program.
Tuition assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees.
50% child tuition remission for employees who enroll their children at CWA.
50% discount on Extended Day child care services for eligible enrolled students.
Enrolled CWA students may attend the Extended Day program until 4:00 p.m. daily at no cost.