SJK has an opportunity for a Ful-Time Learning Support Teacher, Lower School, to join the team for the 2026 School year.

SJK seeks a highly motivated and committed Lower School Learning Support Teacher to join our Learning Services team. We are looking for someone passionate about supporting the education and development of students with learning, behavioural, and social-emotional needs, and who has a particular appreciation for adolescents' needs. The successful candidate will also have the skills and experience to implement policies and best practices that will positively impact student learning and the School as a whole.

About the St. John’s-Kilmarnock School

SJK is the leading co-educational independent school in the Waterloo Region of Ontario. The School, founded in 1972, is located on a beautiful 36-acre natural campus, offering enriched educational programming for day students from JK-Grade 12 and international boarding students from Grades 9-12 through our accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. The School’s co-ed Boarding Residence is located in close proximity to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

SJK offers a world of learning where we embrace innovation, diversity and internationalism. We have dedicated and inspirational educators, attentive to the needs of individual students and their families. Our expectations are high; students are encouraged to find balance through academics, sports, arts, service and leadership. As the only accredited IB World Continuum School in Southwestern Ontario, our students love learning and graduate as confident, well-rounded individuals, fully prepared for post-secondary education and life beyond. Our graduates take their passions to the world as leaders and global citizens.

As a community, we believe in the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. We strive to be a place where every student, faculty and staff member, parent, and alumnus feels welcome and valued. We achieve this by living our core values and by appreciating that our learning community is enhanced by human differences. We value the unique experiences that each individual brings to our community and the myriad of perspectives that our diversity provides. We also recognize that it is our common humanity that binds us together as a community. We welcome applications from individuals who feel they could contribute positively to our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Learning Support Teacher will also provide professional guidance to Lower School faculty to ensure high-quality teaching and effective resource use. Over time, as St. John’s-Kilmarnock School undertakes a review and redesign of its learning services portfolio, this role will evolve as part of a team of Learning Support Teachers operating within a reimagined, needs-responsive and integrative model of learning support.

This model is intended to strengthen both downstream supports (targeted intervention, accommodations, individualized planning) and upstream supports (capacity-building for teachers, students, and families; early identification; continuity across transitions).

The Learning Support Teacher works within SJK’s Circle of Care framework and as part of a multidisciplinary team using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) approach, informed by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Response to Intervention (RTI) frameworks.

Through this work, the Learning Support Teacher contributes to SJK’s aspiration to be recognized as a pre-eminent school for personalized education, supporting students not only during their time at SJK, but in preparation for success in post-secondary education and beyond.

Specific Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to support a wide range of learning profiles, strengths, and needs across the curriculum.
• Design and implement targeted support strategies for students identified through psycho-educational assessments and school-based identification processes.
• Provide learning support through a range of approaches, including assistive and instructional technologies, small-group or individual intervention, and in-class or consultative support.
• Support the consistent implementation of accommodations and instructional strategies across learning environments.
• Monitor student progress using data-informed practices aligned with RTI and MTSS, and adjust strategies in collaboration with teachers, families, and learning services colleagues.
• Work closely with the Director of Learning Services and divisional leadership to ensure alignment between learning support strategies and students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Contribute to the identification, monitoring, and ongoing support of students with documented learning needs and/or exceptional learning profiles.
• Support the ongoing development and evolution of SJK’s learning services program.
• Collaborate as part of a coordinated, whole-school team of Learning Support Teachers within an emerging integrative model of support.
• Support parents and caregivers with practical strategies to reinforce learning, organization, self-regulation, and independence at home.
• Design and facilitate workshops for students focused on learning strategies, executive functioning, self-advocacy, and learner agency.
• Contribute to parent education events, guest speakers, and school-wide learning resources related to learning variability and personalized learning.
• Support continuity of learning through key developmental and grade transitions, including between divisions and from SJK to post-secondary education
• Participate in collaborative meetings with teachers and families to develop, review, and refine meaningful learning strategies and plans.
• Develop and maintain Learning Support Plans for students with psycho-educational assessments and/or identified exceptional learning needs.
• Ensure timely, clear communication with faculty regarding student strategies, accommodations, and progress.
• Support families’ understanding of learning differences and the ways SJK partners with parents to support student growth over time.
• Participate fully in the life of the School, including divisional events, open houses, co-curricular activities, and special events.
• Work as a member of the assigned division, with responsibilities consistent with other faculty members (e.g., supervision, trips, events).
• Engage in ongoing professional learning to remain current with research and best practices in inclusive education, learning variability, and learning support.
• Support, articulate, and advance SJK’s mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to student wellbeing and learning.
• Undertake other responsibilities reasonably assigned by the Head of School or designate.

Teaching Accountability

• May carry a limited teaching load, as determined annually by the Deputy Head of School, aligned with school needs and the learning services portfolio.
• Models exemplary instructional practice, assessment, and classroom culture in any teaching assignment, consistent with IB principles and SJK expectations.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor of Education or equivalent, with membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers, with an additional qualification in Special Education Part 1.
• Master’s degree in education, Special Education (Specialist), Inclusive Education, Educational Psychology, Curriculum & Instruction is an asset.
• Additional qualifications or professional learning in Special Education Part 2, Learning Support, Inclusive Education, or Educational Assessment are an asset.
• Demonstrated experience supporting diverse learners.
• Strong working knowledge of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RTI), and/or Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) frameworks, with experience applying these approaches in practice.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary teams (e.g., Learning Support, Guidance, Student Wellbeing, external professionals) as part of a coordinated student support process.
• Strong understanding of Ontario curriculum and assessment practices, with the ability to support differentiated instruction and accommodations.
• Experience in an IB PYP, MYP, and/or DP environment and familiarity with IB approaches to inclusion and learner variability is preferred.
• Experience or knowledge of supporting students with psycho-educational assessments, including translating recommendations into classroom strategies and Learning Support Plans.
• Experience contributing to school-wide or multi-year teaching and learning initiatives, particularly those related to inclusive practice or learning services redesign.
• Proficiency with student information systems, learning management systems, and data tools used to track interventions, accommodations, and student progress.
• A demonstrated commitment to student-centred, equity-minded, and inclusive educational practices, aligned with CAIS and IB values.
• High professional integrity, discretion, and sound judgment when working with sensitive student, family, and staff information.

Competencies:

• A positive, enthusiastic, and encouraging approach to learning and all aspects of school life
• A deep understanding of the challenges students with learning differences may face
• A collaborative and solution-focused, strength-based disposition, with a passion for teaching
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural communication and organizational skills
• A proven ability to build a caring rapport with students
• Effective communication with students, parents, and colleagues
• An ability to instruct using a range of differentiated teaching strategies and assistive technology
• A dynamic, dedicated team player with a strong work ethic
• The capacity to contribute to SJK’s Co-Curricular and Student Leadership Programs
• A willingness to learn, and commitment to personal and professional growth and development

To Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to forward by email a letter of application and a résumé to https://tealandco.com/careers by March 1st, 2026.

SJK is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including participation in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan if eligible and opportunities for professional development in a vibrant, collegial work environment. Please be aware that the successful candidate must submit a vulnerable sector check.

SJK is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including participation in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan if eligible and opportunities for professional development in a vibrant, collegial work environment.

The salary range is based on our current salary grid and ranges from $64,646.00 to $113,130, with placement on the grid determined by qualifications and years of eligible and related experience. These amounts are based on our current year grid, which may increase for the 2026–2027 academic year.

SJK does not utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants.