Employment

The Siena School, Silver Spring, is seeking a full-time middle school Humanities Teacher for this 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 humanities curriculum focuses on building written and oral language skills.  The successful candidate will have experience providing individualized feedback and support during the writing process, and be proficient in providing experiential instruction that builds knowledge as well as skills. Classes are conducted seminar-style with a focus on analyzing primary source texts to engage students and personalize their understanding of each topic studied. Students learn how to annotate and dissect primary sources and to use evidence to support their verbal and oral discourse. 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.

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. 

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
• 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 dyslexic students are essential.
• Training or classroom experience with high school students, differentiation and/or students with learning differences/dyslexia

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.

About The Siena School

The Siena School (www.thesienaschool.org) in Silver Spring, Maryland, is in its 17th year with an expanding enrollment and a second campus in Oakton, Virginia, which opened in fall of 2021. The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students 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 note that COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement to work at The Siena School.

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 3-8; adding grades 9-10 in Fall 2022). 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 Ann Mullen at amullen@sienatutors.org. No phone calls please.