Skills Center Teacher

Fessenden School•West Newton, MA

31d•$64,250 - $98,650

About The Position

The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 9th Grade in West Newton, MA. The Fessenden School’s mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For more than 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational needs of boys. The Fessenden School seeks a full-time Skills Center Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. The role involves one-on-one remediation and targeted support for boys in Grades K-9 who have been identified as needing additional instruction in foundational reading and writing skills. As needed, Skills Teachers also support students with scaffolding, reviewing, previewing, and applying learned skills to coursework. Typically, a Skills Teacher works with each student two to three times per week. Full-time Skills Center Teachers are scheduled for approximately five of seven periods per day across the Skills Center and classrooms. Daily schedules may vary based on student needs and overall scheduling considerations.

Requirements

Commitment to inclusion, justice, diversity, and equity
Enthusiasm and skills to engage boys and build meaningful relationships
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to perform critical thinking, organization, collaboration, prioritization, and problem-solving
Ability to serve among a diverse community of colleagues, students, and parents
Commitment to boys and boys’ education
Current with curriculum and 21st century learning and teaching
Knowledge of Common Core Standards in Reading and Writing
Experience with developing and implementing remedial and foundational reading and writing skills programs with children
Certification in research-based programs and practices such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading Systems, Landmark Outreach, Brain Frames, EmPower, Keys to Literacy, Framing Your Thoughts, etc
Bachelor’s degree in education or a related subject
Experience in instructing children in reading in one-to-one or small group settings
Successful criminal background check

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in special education and/or certification in a teaching program for literacy
Teaching certification
Familiarity with a variety of reading and writing programs and curricula

Responsibilities

Meet with individual students in a tutorial setting to work on remedial and foundational reading, writing, and/or curriculum and organizational support
Design individualized lessons using a systematic, multisensory approach to teaching reading and writing
Ability to develop and provide differentiated instruction to meet the learning needs of a range of students
Communicate regularly and effectively with parents, both orally and in writing, through emails and bi-annual narrative reports
Communicate and partner regularly and effectively with classroom teacher(s), both orally and in writing
Collaborate with teachers and colleagues in the Learning Resources Department
Attend parent-teacher conferences, Student Support Team meetings, Student Center Meetings, meetings with outside providers, and Folio goal meetings with the Director of Student Support
Incorporate educational technology in tutorial lessons and support student use of My Fessy, as well as assistive technology in the classroom
In addition to the regular weekly schedule, administer screeners and standardized assessments, and write testing reports that include an analysis of results and recommendations for remediation as needed
Write Learning Profiles for students enrolled in the Skills Center
Seek out additional Professional Development opportunities to attend in the summer or during the school year
Maintain regular and reliable attendance
Attend faculty meetings, typically on Mondays from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm
Attend professional development meetings, three full days and three afternoons
Maintain current CPR/AED & first aid certification and child abuse prevention training
Exemplify the School’s mission and community principles
Complete other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Support or the School