The Nueva School

Middle School - Learning Specialist

Learning Support at Nueva

Our Learning Support Program at Nueva is grounded in a strengths-based philosophy that supports gifted students with learning differences in thriving socially, emotionally, and academically. We partner with students to help them understand their unique learning profiles, recognize their strengths, and build a positive sense of self.

Through this work, we empower students to celebrate their identity across all aspects and to develop the skills necessary for self-advocacy. We also collaborate closely with teachers and families, providing education and guidance around learning differences and the instructional strategies that best support student growth. Our goal is to foster an inclusive school culture where students with learning differences feel understood, supported, and able to flourish.

The Position

The Grades 5–8 Learning Specialist will join a collaborative and multidisciplinary team that includes learning support, counseling, social-emotional learning, and school administration. This role takes a strengths-based approach to supporting middle school students who are gifted and demonstrate potential or have identified learning differences.

This position is well-suited for an educator who is eager to grow their practice within a supportive professional community. The Learning Specialist will work closely with students, teachers, and families to develop instructional strategies and learning.

 Key qualities and interests include:

• A strong interest in gifted education and learning differences

• A developing skill set in creating instructional strategies and accommodations for middle school learners

• Curiosity and commitment to social-emotional learning

• An openness to project-based and experiential learning approaches

• Willingness to engage thoughtfully and compassionately with students, families, and colleagues

• Interest in staying current with research and best practices in special and gifted education

Mentorship, collaboration, and ongoing professional learning are central to this role.

A Day in the Life

As a Learning Specialist (Grades 5–8), your day is centered on supporting students through a strengths-based, student-centered approach. 

You’ll collaborate closely with teachers, counselors, administrators, and families to develop and implement accommodation and intervention plans, review educational evaluations, and support student well-being. Coaching teachers, co-planning inclusive classroom practices, and contributing to professional learning are regular parts of the role.

You’ll work one-on-one and in small groups with students to develop learning strategies, build confidence, and enhance self-advocacy skills. You’ll also help shape learning support systems, partner with admissions, lead parent education opportunities, and participate in the broader life of the school—including attending community events and chaperoning student trips.

Each day is collaborative, dynamic, and grounded in meaningful relationships with students and colleagues.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

• Experience reviewing psychoeducational assessments

• Experience working as a learning specialist, special educator, or in a closely related role

• Demonstrated experience supporting students with learning differences in an educational setting

• Experience collaborating on student support or accommodation plans and monitoring student progress over time

• Ability to work effectively with middle and/or high school–aged students and their families

• Strong listening, verbal, and written communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Openness to feedback and a commitment to continuous professional growth

• Commitment to providing accessible, inclusive, and equitable student supports

• Alignment with a compassionate, strengths-based approach to learning support

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or advanced coursework in education, special education, psychology, or a related field

• Experience with gifted learners or a strong interest in learning about giftedness

• Experience working in middle and/or high school settings

• Comfort working in dynamic environments that value reflection, creativity, and iteration

Encouragement to Apply

We encourage educators to apply even if they do not meet all the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about supporting students with learning differences, committed to equity and inclusion, and eager to grow your practice within a collaborative community, we would welcome your application.

Compensation and Benefits

The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $79,200 - $145,900. The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.

We offer a compensation and benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employees, employer contribution toward dependent insurance premiums, a generous match on our retirement plan, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account, and free lunch. Relocation assistance available. Eligibility rules must be met.

In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values. 

To Apply

Please submit your application information - cover letter describing your interest and preparedness for the position, a resume documenting your relevant experience and expertise, and contact information for three professional references, including an explanation of your relationship - to the Nueva Employment Website.  To address specific questions, please email Karen Tiegel at ktiegel@nuevaschool.org.

The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field. 

About The Nueva School

The Nueva School, an internationally recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted and talented students since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students PK-12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, serving six different counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.

A school that honors multiple pathways to learning through inquiry and experience. Nueva is recognized for its distinctive inquiry-based, interdisciplinary studies; project-based learning; and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book That Used to Be Us in the chapter “Average Is Over.”

For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website: www.nuevaschool.org