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Employment at The Siena School 

Empowerment through Education

Join our dedicated, expert team of faculty, staff, and administrators at The Siena School and make a difference in the lives of students with language-based learning differences.

The Siena School is always interested in speaking with highly qualified teachers, staff, and administrators who share our passion for teaching children with language-based learning differences. While we may not always have jobs available, we are happy to learn more about your interests and keep your information on file. Given our continuing growth, it is likely that we may be hiring for jobs of interest in the future.   
 
If you are interested in applying for a job at our Silver Spring or Northern Virginia locations, or as a tutor with Siena Tutors, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@thesienaschool.org.

The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply.

We are looking for highly collaborative teachers committed to designing and adapting instruction to meet a range of student learning needs and interests and committed to multisensory and differentiated instruction. We promote a culture of belonging where students, staff, and families of The Siena School feel heard, seen, supported, and valued, so that all members of the community can thrive.

At The Siena School, teachers encourage students' creative expression, incorporate student interest and passions, and develop critical thinking by creating a vibrant, student-centered environment that supports the learning and personal growth of each student. Siena faculty and staff work collaboratively with students, parents and professionals to create a nurturing but rigorous learning environment. We know our children well and engage them on a daily basis in exciting, intellectual dialogue. Through individualized, multisensory instruction, students develop critical thinking skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners. A positive learning experience inspires our students to have confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Siena teachers work with students in small classes of 10:1 and address their individualized needs through both small-group and individualized instruction. They are skillful in establishing a strong relationship with students and creating learning opportunities that motivate and inspire students to develop all aspects of their learning needs.

  • Demonstrated career interest in education
  • Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record. Advanced degree and 2-5 years of classroom experience preferred
  • Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of dyslexic students are essential
  • Training or classroom experience with differentiation and/or students with learning differences/dyslexia
  • Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment
  • Take pride in being part of a team that collectively works to bring together diversity of backgrounds, thoughts, perspectives, and expressions
  • Engage in positive cross-cultural interactions and an understanding of the nuances that exist among and between diverse groups as well as a willingness to learn, grow, and confidently work through challenges that might arise in this area

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms upon hire.

All positions include a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

Why Work at Siena?


Cross-Campus Employment

The Siena School (www.thesienaschool.org) in Silver Spring, Maryland, is in its 18th year with an expanding enrollment and a second campus in Oakton, Virginia, now in its 3rd year. The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students (grades 3-12) with mild to moderate language-based learning differences. Siena enrolls approximately 40% students of color. The school focuses on the professional development of its staff who are regularly published and have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices, and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply.

Please check back for full- and part-time openings.


Northern Virginia Campus

The Siena School in Oakton, Virginia, is in its 3rd year with an expanding enrollment of approximately 40 students in grades 3-11. The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences like dyslexia. Siena Northern Virginia allows us to continue serving more students with language-based learning differences, as well as to train more leaders and teachers. Siena Northern Virginia replicates the established Siena mission, curriculum, core values, and framework, as well as focuses on the professional development of its staff, who have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Current Openings

The Siena School in Northern Virginia seeks a culturally competent, caring, and experienced Office Manager to join a dynamic and creative team. The Siena School Office Manager is a key member of our administrative team. This person will fulfill a variety of roles, including supporting reception, office management, business and administrative functions, program activities, and faculty support.

The Siena School is one of the nation’s leading independent schools serving bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia (www.thesienaschool.org). At The Siena School, teachers encourage students' creative expression, incorporate student interest and passions, and develop critical thinking by creating a vibrant, student-centered environment that supports the learning and personal growth of each student. Siena faculty and staff work collaboratively with students, parents, and professionals to create a nurturing but rigorous learning environment. We know our children well and engage them on a daily basis in exciting, intellectual dialogue. Through individualized, multisensory instruction, students develop critical thinking skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners. A positive learning experience inspires our students to have confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Reception support and primary point of contact, providing resources for parents, answering doors and phones, greeting visitors, and communicating with the Siena community, visitors, and the public through email, phone, and newsletter
  • Office management functions, including project management, coordinating and assisting with school-wide programs and events, supply management, and mailings to parents
  • Administrative support to staff and faculty, maintaining school and student records and databases, office administration, coordinating professional events, assisting with staff recruitment and hiring, and providing on-campus support for Admissions
  • Program support for students and teachers, including serving as a Medication Technician for basic student health, dispensing medication, and providing first aid, member of the campus crisis team, managing supplies, supporting field trip logistics, and monitoring students

Other Duties and Responsibilities 

  • Actively engage and support the school’s commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
  • Support the school’s mission and culture, promoting a positive, inclusive school climate
  • Establish and maintain good relationships with varying stakeholders
  • Communicate effectively and promptly with families, faculty, staff, and cross-campus administrators
  • Attend weekly campus and cross-campus meetings
  • Work closely with the Head of School on administrative projects, school events, and management of school procedures

Essential Qualifications

  • Demonstrated career interest in education, private schools, or the social sector
  • Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record
  • Excellent written and verbal communication. Ability to effectively listen and respond to parents/guardians, faculty, and staff
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented. Ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, organizational, and group facilitation skills to work effectively as a team player
  • Several years of work experience, preferably in education. Ability to work with a dynamic and engaging staff and school community
  • Strong computer skills. Experience with database systems and office management a plus
  • Ability to maintain sensitive information in the strictest of confidence, exercising absolute discretion and professionalism
  • Experience and comfort with working in a diverse environment

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Citizenship, residency, or work visa in the United States are required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the school.

Additional Salary Information: The position is salaried with a benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.
 

The Siena School in Northern Virginia seeks a culturally competent, caring, and experienced school counselor to join a dynamic and creative team. As a school committed to academic excellence, educational innovation, and social justice, the School Counselor will serve as a key member of the Guidance Team in supporting the social-emotional well-being of all students. The School Counselor is responsible for designing and delivering social-emotional learning through classroom lessons, school-wide initiatives, consultation with staff, and parent workshops. The Counselor will also meet with students in individual and small group settings. This position will be part-time, 10-15 hours per week, with opportunities to expand as the school grows.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Policies and Record-Keeping

  • With administration, creates and maintains policies for the counseling department 
  • Creates and maintains confidential records

Counseling Support 

  • The counselor serves as the main mental wellness liaison for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and outside clinicians 
  • Meets regularly with the Head of School and other members of the Guidance Team to communicate student progress and/or concerns
  • Serves as a resource for parents, faculty, and administration in addressing concerns pertaining to students
  • Provides support for the community in response to crisis situations
  • Provides 1:1 counseling support to students on a short-term and drop-in basis 
  • Makes appropriate referrals to families for specialized support services 
  • Provides crisis intervention and assessment as needed
  • Actively engages and supports the School’s commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
  • Runs ongoing groups for students on issues related to social-emotional and mental wellness (e.g., friendship, stress management, etc.) 
  • Partners with teachers to develop strategies for specific students and conduct student observations as necessary
  • Provides consultation to teachers and other school personnel regarding student needs and supports 
  • Consults with outside therapists to support individual students and families

Programming 

  • Develops and implements school-wide programming on topics related to social-emotional and mental health 
  • Creates and co-leads a health curriculum that addresses social-emotional well-being, drugs, alcohol, body image, sexual education, anxiety, wellness, and other relevant topics 
  • Provides professional development to staff about topics of mental health and social-emotional well being
  • Organizes and facilitates regular discussions with parents around pertinent topics
  • Develops programming that responds to the needs of the school community

Other Essential Duties

  • Support the school’s mission and culture, promoting a positive, inclusive school climate
  • Through a restorative justice lens, support student adherence to school expectations
  • Establish and maintain good relationships with varying stakeholders
  • Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with families
  • Communicate with faculty and staff at the other campuses as needed
  • Engage in duties as assigned
  • Attend weekly campus and cross-campus meetings
  • Attend after school events as needed
  • Engage with stakeholders via Zoom in synchronous and asynchronous models as needed
  • Other duties as assigned

Essential Skills and Qualifications 

  • Professional Mental Health/Counseling or School Counseling Degree
  • Professional mental health license
  • Experience and comfort with working in a diverse environment
  • Experience working with a variety of age groups from elementary through high school
  • Ability to work with a dynamic and engaging staff and school community
  • Ability to effectively listen, respond, and present information to students, parents/guardians, faculty and staff
  • Ability to take initiative and demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to maintain sensitive information in the strictest of confidence, exercising absolute discretion and professionalism
  • Knowledge of child and adolescent development 
  • Strong interpersonal and group facilitation skills to work effectively as a team player

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the school.

Additional Salary Information: The position includes a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.
 

The Siena School in Oakton, VA, seeks an experienced reading teacher interested in using small-group instruction, research-based strategies, a multisensory approach, and other best practices to teach reading to students in grades 3-8. The position is part-time for the 2024-25 school year, with anticipated growth to full-time in subsequent years.

Reading is at the center of almost everything we do at Siena. All students at the school take a reading class each year from 3rd through 8th grade, working on comprehension, fluency, and decoding. Additionally, reading is also offered at the high school level. Siena's reading classes are capped at 10 students, with students subdivided into smaller groups according to areas of need. The classes teach phonology, phonemic awareness, decoding and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, through systematic, structured, and sequential instruction.

Candidates should have a desire to teach the core principles of reading and an interest in ongoing professional development and training, which the school provides. Candidates should have knowledge of dyslexia and instruction for students identified with dyslexia and related disorders. Experience working with students with learning differences preferred. Our teachers design interventions and strategies tailored to each student’s needs. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Advising students and working with students, parents, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs 
  • Regular, timely, and consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues
  • Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of students with dyslexia are essential
  • Supporting the school’s mission and culture, promoting a positive, inclusive school climate
  • Through a restorative justice lens, supporting student adherence to school expectations
  • Establishing and maintaining good relationships with varying stakeholders

Essential Duties and Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record and demonstrated career interest in education. Advanced degree and 2-5 years of classroom experience strongly preferred but not required
  • Reading training (e.g., Orton Gillingham, Sounds in Syllables)
  • Knowledge in the core processes, skills, and content of reading and its relationship to listening, speaking, and writing
  • Understand the reading process, particularly phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, decoding, strategic reading, and the application of these skills
  • Experience teaching specific elements of reading instruction in small groups
  • Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the school.

Additional Salary Information: The position is salaried with a benefits package including but not limited to health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

The Siena School in Oakton, VA, is currently seeking a full-time paraprofessional for the remainder of this school year, as well as for 2024-25. We are looking for a highly collaborative individual committed to meeting a range of student learning needs and interests, as well as multisensory and differentiated instruction. We promote a culture of belonging where students, staff, and families feel heard, seen, supported, and valued so that all members of the community can thrive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00am–6:00pm.
  • Work with students in small classes of 10:1 and address their individualized needs through both small-group and individualized instruction 
  • Create learning opportunities that motivate and inspire students to develop all aspects of their learning needs
  • Substitute for teachers, assisting in the classroom and for student events
  • Daily supervision duties (e.g., recess, lunch, carpool, front desk, and After School)
  • After School supervision

Other Duties

  • Support the school’s mission and culture, promoting a positive, inclusive school climate
  • Develop strong relationships with students
  • Through a restorative justice lens, support student adherence to school expectations
  • Additional duties as assigned

Essential Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Experience in education preferred 
  • Strong communication skills
  • Experience and comfort with working in a diverse environment
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion 
  • Strong technology skills
  • Reliable and flexible
  • Ability to think independently and take initiative
  • Salary Information: $42,000 and benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities. 

Interested in applying? Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@thesienaschool.org.


Silver Spring Campus

The Siena School in Silver Spring, Maryland, is in its 18th year with an expanding enrollment. The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences. With approximately 150 students in grades 4-12, including 40% students of color, the school focuses on the professional development of its staff, who have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Current Openings

The Siena School is seeking a full-time elementary teacher (grades 3-5) who is passionate about teaching and our mission of serving bright children with dyslexia and similar language-based learning differences. We are looking for a highly collaborative teacher committed to designing and adapting instruction to meet a range of student learning needs and interests. Siena relies heavily on multisensory and differentiated instruction. This position is open at our campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

  • Sharing teaching responsibilities with other teachers in the classroom
  • Advising students and working with students, parents, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs  
  • Creating lesson plans and adapting curriculum to teach Language Arts, math, social studies, and science
  • Regular and consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues

Essential Skills and Qualifications

  • Master's/advanced degree (preferred) and 2-5 years of classroom experience (preferred), or Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record and demonstrated career interest in education
  • Strong language skills and a desire to make a difference for students whose intellect is ahead of their literacy skills
  • Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences are essential.
  • Comfort level with elementary-age children, student-advocacy practices, and inquiry-based instruction
  • Training or classroom experience with elementary grades, differentiation, and/or students with learning differences/dyslexia
  • Training in multisensory, structured language approaches is desirable (but not required) since Siena has targeted and ongoing professional development in reading instruction/learning differences

The position includes a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

The Siena School is seeking a full-time middle and high school mathematics teacher for the 2024-25 school year who is passionate about teaching and an advocate for children with learning differences. We are looking for a highly collaborative teacher committed to designing and adapting instruction to meet a range of student learning needs and interests and committed to multisensory and differentiated instruction.

Siena’s inquiry-based math courses challenge students with rigorous curricula while providing them with tools and strategies to help them understand and apply mathematical concepts. Siena’s math courses focus on more than theory, exploring the practicalities of math as it applies to real-world and 21st century applications. With a passion for their subject, the successful applicant will enjoy working with other educators in a collaborative environment, integrating technology in a 1:1 Chromebook environment.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Advising students and working with students, parents, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs.  
  • Regular and consistent communication with students, parents and colleagues.
  • Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of students with dyslexia are essential.
  • Planning and delivering multisensory math instruction.
  • Regularly assessing and communicating student progress.

Essential Skills and Qualifications 

  • Demonstrated career interest in education
  • Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record. Advanced degree and 2-5 years of classroom experience preferred
  • Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of dyslexic students are essential
  • Training or classroom experience with high school students, differentiation and/or students with learning differences/dyslexia 
  • Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Citizenship, residency, or work visa in the United States are required.

The position includes a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

The Siena School, Silver Spring, seeks an experienced reading teacher interested in using small-group instruction, research-based strategies, a multisensory approach, and other best practices for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a full-time position and the ideal candidate will also teach during the school’s summer academic program (4 weeks, half days). The Siena School is one of the nation’s leading independent schools serving bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia (www.thesienaschool.org).

Reading is at the center of almost everything we do at Siena. All students at the school take a reading class each year from 3rd through 8th grade, working on comprehension, fluency and decoding. Additionally, reading is also offered at the high school level. Siena's reading classes are capped at 10 students, with students subdivided into smaller groups according to areas of need. The classes teach phonology, phonemic awareness, decoding and spelling, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, though systematic, structured and sequential instruction. Teachers use Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Phono-Graphix and other methods to teach tools and strategies to students who struggle with reading in these areas.

Candidates should have a desire to teach the core principles of reading and an interest in ongoing professional development and training, which the school provides. Candidates should have knowledge of dyslexia and instruction for students identified with dyslexia and related disorders. Experience working with students with learning differences is preferred. Our teachers design interventions and strategies tailored to each student’s needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Advising students and working with students, parents, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs. 
  • Regular and consistent communication with students, parents and colleagues.
  • Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of students with dyslexia are essential.
  • Planning and delivering reading instruction based on a structured literacy approach.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record and demonstrated career interest in education. Advanced degree and 2-5 years of classroom experience strongly preferred.
  • Reading training (e.g., Orton Gillingham).
  • Knowledge in the core processes, skills, and content of reading and its relationship to listening, speaking, and writing.
  • Understand the reading process, particularly phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, decoding, strategic reading, and the application of these skills.
  • Experience teaching specific elements of reading instruction in small groups.

The position includes a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits package including but not limited to: health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

Interested in applying? Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@thesienaschool.org.


Siena Tutors

The Siena School is hiring tutors for elementary, middle and high school students to provide targeted instruction and support in reading, writing, math, executive functioning skills, and other core subjects. Our Tutors work 1:1 with students outside of school hours to target skill development, support knowledge and use of student learning strategies, and promote healthy self-confidence. We are looking for tutors who understand the connections with language and learning, have excellent people skills, and are enthusiastic about helping children who learn differently. 

Learn More Here

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Provide individual, regular tutoring sessions with students in a specific area of support  (executive function skills/organization, the writing process, reading development, math, and/or other subject specific support such as science or social studies).
  • Consistent and regular parent communication regarding student’s progress.
  • Collaborate with classroom teachers to tailor the tutoring experience to the individual needs of each student with focused comments on important aspects of a student’s progress, and clearly identified goals for further progress in the specific area of focus.
  • Accurate record keeping, including logging hours.
  • Regular feedback to the Director of Tutoring.
  • Develop learning plans, implement assessments, and report student progress under the direction of the Director of Tutoring Services.

Qualifications:

All Tutors

  • Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record. 
  • Advanced degree and 2-5 years of classroom experience preferred.
  • Experience teaching/tutoring elementary, middle and/or high school students including students with learning differences/dyslexia; training or classroom experience working with students one-on-one or in small groups and with differentiation strategies.
  • Training in multisensory, structured language education desirable. 
  • Available after school, evenings and/or weekends; hours are flexible.
  • Engage in professional development provided by The Siena School.
  • Strong language skills and a desire to make a difference for students whose intellect is ahead of their literacy skills.
  • High degree of reliability and consistency and strong organizational skills.
  • Attention to detail regarding work schedule, assessment, and paperwork.
  • Able to work remotely with reliable internet access and computer to provide on-line tutoring. Some tutoring positions will transition to in-person work as is deemed safe to return due to Covid-19, while other Siena tutors will continue to work virtually with students as family and schooling needs dictate.
  • Strong technology skills (especially Microsoft OS, MS Office programs, Google Suite).
  • Comfortable with and uses technology tools for instruction, planning, and communication. Willing to learn new uses/applications of technology tools to support individual student’s needs.
  • Personable and joyful working with school-age children.

Specific to Reading Tutors

  • Reading training (e.g., Orton Gillingham).
  • Knowledge in the core processes, skills, and content of reading and its relationship to listening, speaking, and writing.
  • Understand the reading process, particularly phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, decoding, strategic reading, and the application of these skills.
  • Experience teaching specific elements of reading instruction in 1:1 and/or small groups.

Hourly pay dependent on experience and qualifications.

The Siena School (www.thesienaschool.org) in Silver Spring, Maryland, is in its 16th year with an expanding enrollment and now a second campus in Oakton, Virginia, which opened in Fall 2021. Siena has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, with nearly 150 students at its Silver Spring campus (grades 4-12) and nearly 30 at its new Northern Virginia campus (grades 3-11; adding grade 12 in Fall 2024). Siena enrolls approximately 40% students of color. Siena focuses on the professional development of its staff who have presented at national and international conferences (including the NAIS Annual Conference) and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms upon hire.

How to Apply/Contact

For immediate consideration, interested candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Pettey at jpettey@sienatutors.org. No phone calls please.

What do Siena parents say about our faculty?

"We had a wonderful and very encouraging experience meeting with all of her teachers. I continue to be amazed and grateful at how clearly her teachers see her for all of her gifts and can clearly identify ways to address her challenges." - Siena Parent

"We have seen our son grow into a self-confident and mature young man thanks to the dedication and support of all the amazing staff at Siena and the programs they offer." - Siena Parent

Hear from our staff!

Why I Teach at Siena

Siena is there to provide a mentormentee relationship where it’s tailored toward the needs of the student and their learning differences. I know that personally because it was 9 years as a student for me. –Brandon Butsavage (Siena '16), Office Manager at Siena Northern Virginia 

Siena's Newest Teachers

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