Writing Specialist

Writing Specialist 

Reports to: Director of College Counseling & C&L Department Chair
Contract Length: 12-month position

Position Overview

Forman School seeks a Writing Specialist to join its Cognition and Learning Department and collaborate closely with the College Counseling team. This educator will provide research-informed writing instruction that helps students build their skills, confidence, and independence as writers. The role will include teaching writing strategies that students can apply across academic disciplines, with particular attention to planning, organization, idea development, revision, editing, and written expression.

The Writing Specialist will also work closely with juniors and seniors enrolled in Post Secondary Planning (PSP) I and II, providing targeted instruction, coaching, and organizational support for personal statements, supplemental essays, and other application-related writing. The specialist will serve as a central resource for students, families, and colleagues throughout the college application process, helping students develop an authentic narrative voice and represent themselves thoughtfully and effectively.

The ideal candidate brings expertise in writing instruction, an understanding of language-based learning differences, strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and a student-centered approach aligned with Forman’s mission to develop confident, articulate, and self-advocating young adults.

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

Teaching and Curriculum Development

• Teach writing within the Cognition and Learning Department, helping students strengthen their skills, confidence, and independence as writers.
• Provide explicit instruction in planning, organization, idea development, paragraph structure, revision, editing, and written expression.
• Help students understand their individual learning profiles and develop strategies they can apply across academic disciplines.
• Collaborate with Cognition and Learning and English faculty to develop and refine writing instruction that reflects Forman’s research-based approach.
• Differentiate instruction for diverse learners, including students with language-based learning differences and executive-function challenges.
• Monitor student growth, maintain accurate records, and contribute to academic reports as needed.
• Teach and support college essay writing within the Post Secondary Planning I and II curriculum.
• Serve as a lead contributor in the development and refinement of the PSP writing curriculum.
• Be a regular presence in PSP classes to provide in-the-moment instruction and support.

College Essay Writing and Student Support

• Guide students through brainstorming, drafting, revising, and polishing personal statements and supplemental essays.
• Teach voice, narrative structure, self-reflection, audience awareness, and editing strategies.
• Conduct individual and small-group writing conferences, including support sessions during afternoon study hall.
• Actively engage students in the writing process through outreach, follow-up, and progress monitoring.
• Help students articulate authentic stories, individual strengths, and postsecondary goals.
• Create and maintain organizational systems to track writing progress and application deadlines.
• Support students in managing timelines, developing effective work habits, and meeting application deadlines.
• Build strong rapport with students and become familiar with their learning profiles to provide individualized support.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the Director and Associate Director of College Counseling, College Counselor, PSP teachers, Cognition and Learning faculty, English faculty, and academic advisors to ensure alignment across writing instruction and college-preparation efforts.
• Maintain consistent communication with students, families, and colleagues regarding writing progress, expectations, and deadlines.
• Attend College Counseling Office meetings and contribute to holistic student-support planning.
• Collaborate with colleagues to help students transfer writing strategies across classes and become increasingly independent writers.

Recommendations and College Counseling Operations

• Organize, plan, and facilitate the summer college counseling workshop series.
• Maintain a consistent office presence during summer hours to support students and families, with schedules aligned with established vacation periods.
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to writing instruction, learning differences, college recommendations, and admissions trends.

Community Responsibilities

• Contribute outside the classroom and demonstrate a commitment to Forman’s student-life programming.
• Uphold Forman’s core values of Truth, Respect, and Kindness in all interactions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Educational and Experiential Background and Credentials

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Education, Writing, or a related field.
• Experience teaching writing to high school or college-age students.
• Strong understanding of college application essay conventions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to inclusive, student-centered teaching practices.

Preferred:

• Experience working with neurodiverse learners or students with language-based learning differences.
• Familiarity with the Common Application and supplemental essay formats.
• Experience in advising or counseling secondary students.
  

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.