Middle School Learning & SEL Specialist (Grades 5-8) | 2026-27 School Year

About the role

The Middle School Learning & SEL Specialist will work with 5th through 8th-grade students to support their academic and emotional needs. They will collaborate with the school counselor, student services team, and educators to provide direct support and instructional differentiation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Meet with students on an as-needed or ongoing basis to explicitly teach executive functioning skills alongside social-emotional coping strategies.
• Lead support groups in small cohorts (such as lunch bunches or study skills electives) and partner with the Middle School Dean of Students to support the middle school advisory curriculum and student mentoring.
• Build effective partnerships with parents and caregivers by communicating regularly with families, providing actionable strategies, and participating in parent/caregiver education sessions when relevant.
• Provide direct support and instructional differentiation strategies to teachers for the academic and emotional needs of students.
• Maintain accurate student records using Branching Minds in compliance with school policy, state, and federal regulations.
• Cookordinate with the Student Services Team to track student progress and intervention data.
• Conduct observations of student behavior (academic and social) within classrooms, playgrounds, and during social times as needed.
• Review and track Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) on a systematic basis and attend implementation meetings to ensure consistent support.
• Participate actively in Middle School grade level meetings, Student Services department meetings, ILP meetings, and other team meetings as needed.
• Organize and support inclusive testing arrangements and accommodations for middle school students as needed.
• Serve as a liaison coordinating with outside agencies, external therapists, or specialists as needed (including the Waunakee special education department, speech/language providers, and external tutor services) and refer families to external resources when appropriate.
• Keep the Director of Student Services, Middle School Division Head, and Middle School Dean of Students apprised of sensitive and escalated issues, meetings, and conversations with parents/caregivers, teachers, and students.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience working with upper elementary or middle school students in an educational, learning support, or coaching capacity.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting student data, learning support strategies, and implementing academic accommodations.
• Excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills.
• A bachelor's degree or above in Education, Special Education, School Psychology, Counseling, or a closely related field. (Master's degree preferred).
• Dedication to meeting the needs of diverse student learners.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retaily Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Success Factors

• A genuine appreciation of 5th-8th grade students, a great sense of humor, and an understanding of middle school developmental milestones.
• A strong foundational understanding of how executive functioning deficits and learning differences impact a student’s daily academic performance, motivation, and mood.
• A highly collaborative and hands-on team environment working closely with educators, specialists, and families.
• A warm, inviting, and friendly personality that encourages middle schoolers to build trust and self-advocate.
• Able to preserve strict confidentiality regarding conversational information, documentation, and student records.
• Experience designing and/or leading explicit SEL or executive functioning coaching lessons.
• Efficiently use technology such as Branching Minds, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Toddle, and Blackbaud K-12 to help students organize digital workspaces.

About MCDS

Madison Country Day School is Dane County’s only independent PreK-12 International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering a challenging and comprehensive college-preparatory education, including the Madison, Wisconsin area’s only International Baccalaureate program. In an environment where each community member is truly known, MCDS students develop a deep knowledge base and life-long critical and creative thinking skills. At MCDS, we seek energetic, flexible, and open-minded colleagues who are motivated by new opportunities and challenges. We are seeking colleagues who are passionate about and committed to the mission and vision of Madison County Day School and are able to demonstrate the values and traits of the International Baccalaureate Programmes and Learner Profile. MCDS respects, affirms, and protects the dignity and worth of each member of its community. We seek to establish a culture wherein every member feels safe, valued, and encouraged to participate in every aspect of the community. MCDS embraces and celebrates diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or sexual identity in its hiring.