Cognition and Learning Teacher at Forman School – Litchfield, Connecticut

COGNITION & LEARNING TEACHER

Reports To: Chief Cognition & Learning Officer

10-month position

Position Overview

As Forman School approaches its centennial celebration and opens the doors to its new Cognition and Learning Building and Assessment Center, there has never been a better time to join a visionary team of leaders and educators, taking the science of learning and strengths of neurodiverse learners to the next level.

Forman School seeks a colleague to join the Cognition & Learning team. This role will support the School’s commitment to individualized and tailored academic support, including executive functions, metacognition, and structured literacy.

Forman’s Mission, Promise, and Core Values

Forman School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for boarding and day students with identified learning differences. Forman develops the whole student, based on each individual’s learning profile, so that all graduates become educated, confident self-advocates throughout life.

Forman is committed to sustaining an inclusive environment that fosters a deeper understanding of differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, geographical origin, physical ability, and family structure.

We believe society is bettered when we learn from and embrace those with different experiences and perspectives from our own. Our community values truth, respect, and kindness.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach courses focused on executive functions, metacognition, and structured literacy
• Collaborate with members of the English department in the design, teaching, and support of English courses
• Meet regularly with each class; document student attendance and topics covered in each session; provide instruction in specific academic skills and strategies designed to address each student’s learning challenges; work in a deliberate fashion towards independent skill use
• Review learning profiles for each student including information contained in psychoeducational evaluations, prior grade reports, teacher evaluations and parent interviews; provide additions/suggestions to the Chief Cognition & Learning Officer for updates
• Communicate with advisors, teachers, and other school personnel regarding each assigned student as necessary; be willing to brainstorm strategies for success with others and serve as a resource for each student’s teachers
• Attend department meetings and other meetings as assigned
• Serve as a member of a dorm family
• Coach one season of an extracurricular activity
• Other duties as assigned

Educational and Experiential Background and Credentials

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field
• Minimum two years of experience teaching high school students
• An understanding of psychoeducational evaluations and IEPs, and the ability to understand and apply relevant information
• Experience with a wide range of learning disabilities, including ADHD, executive functioning disorders, language-based learning disabilities, reading disabilities, dysgraphia and dyscalculia
• Remain current with research and best practices in topics related to learning disabilities and assistive technology
• Creativity, flexibility, patience, perseverance, and a sense of humor
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, collegiality, and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate well and effectively with colleagues, parents, and students alike

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Prior experience working as an Executive Function Coach
• Prior experience in a boarding school setting

Other Expectations

This position is a member of a boarding school faculty. Candidates should be interested in contributing outside of the classroom and becoming fully involved in the student life program. Faculty are expected to demonstrate respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of school life.