Distance Learning Specialist

Reports to: Head of Elementary                           

Status: One Full-time or Two part-time Positions

Start date: August 2020

For over 30 years Boulder Country Day School has been at the forefront of education in the Boulder Valley. The hallmarks of our school - Community, Character, Academic Excellence, and Small Class Sizes - are the keys to our success and allow us to create an educational experience where children innovate, create, grow and thrive. We believe our children are our future, and, to that end, we offer a broad-based liberal arts education that focuses on developing lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. The Boulder Country Day challenge, Discover Your Excellence, recognizes that excellence is teachable, personal, and can be achieved in a variety of different disciplines - academic, athletic, community service, leadership, and more. We seek to provide just the right amount of nurture, structure, and latitude to live up to this challenge.

Position Overview

BCD is offering families the opportunity to participate in a distance learning program for the 2020-21 school year. These families want to maintain a strong connection to our community and academic program while learning remotely from home. The role of the K-5 Distance Learning Specialist is to support these students, their families and teachers in the implementation of an online learning environment. Furthermore, the specialist works to establish a strong partnership with students, families and teachers to foster  a sense of connection and belonging to the  BCD community. 

• Collaborate with grade level teachers and specialists to coordinate class lessons and materials, ensuring  assignments are on target and accessible to learners working remotely

• Provide guided instruction online to ensure student understanding of new concepts and skills

• Support development and delivery of formative assessments that target grade level essential standards.

• Communicate with students/families regarding student progress and goals

• Create opportunities for students to remain connected to their grade level peers and build community with cohorts students working remotely 

• Support lead teachers in the facilitation of assignments for students who must quarantine for 14 days. 

• Support live streaming of core academic classes in classrooms

• Troubleshoot and resolve problems with distance learning equipment or applications

• Analyze data to assess distance learning program status or to inform decisions for distance learning programs.

• Evaluate the effectiveness.and quality assurance of distance learning program

• When appropriate, design and conduct professional development opportunities for both the distance learning and online learning programs

• Remain current with online learning pedagogy, web conferencing applications and associated hardware.  

• Perform related work as required. 

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following:

• Strong computer and tech skills

• Proficiency with Google Classroom, Seesaw and Blackbaud Portal

• Strong collaboration and communication skills

• Demonstrated passion for teaching K-8 children;

• Bachelor’s in education, Master’s preferred;

• At least 3-5 years teaching in a K-8;

• Knowledge of or background in independent schools;

• Flexibility, ability to work with change, and strengths in innovation; and

• Effective communication skills.

 Professional Expectations – BCD Employees must:

• Find joy in taking risks and failing forward

• Are passionate about their work; they are optimistic about and love working in a school environment

• Possess a strong sense of integrity; they embody and promote trust and character in ou school and its community

• Employ innovative practices in their fields; they are curious, creative, and enthusiastic

• Are eager to collaborate with multiple constituencies, including employees, parents, students and members of the greater BCD community

• Have a growth mindset; they are open minded, flexible, and reflective

• Believe in and are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community

• Model balance - are deeply curious, and share their interests within and outside of school

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Commitment

Boulder Country Day School recognizes and values all forms of diversity and is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment which honors each member for their individual differences, experiences and strengths. Our intentional commitment to embracing and exploring issues of diversity, equity and inclusivity in support of social justice affords the freedom for all members of our school community to flourish as unique, confident, compassionate, and ethical individuals.