Position Description

Columbus Academy seeks candidates for a possible opening as a full-time Lower School Learning Specialist.

The individual selected for this position will be expected to carry out the following responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with other members of the Student Support Team and the lower school faculty to identify student learning needs and develop appropriate interventions and support plans
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to meet students’ learning needs
• Provide expertise in developing strategies with faculty to implement in the classroom to support student learning
• Provide direct instruction to students identified with learning disabilities and/or significant executive function challenges in the resource room and in regular classroom settings
• Provide advocacy and accommodations for students with documented learning disabilities
• Write, update and implement individual student accommodation plans
• Use available technology to enhance the students’ learning experiences
• Maintain effective record-keeping procedures
• Communicate with classroom teachers regarding student progress
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional growth
• Provide periodic updates to parents about student progress, via both written reports and in-person conferences
• Work collaboratively and build relationships with students and faculty
• Attend and participate in weekly faculty meetings
• Assume a share of supervisory responsibilities expected of all lower school faculty members
• Hold students accountable for the school’s standards of behavior
• Work with others in the school community to support each student’s emotional well-being
• Assume a share of supervisory responsibilities expected of all lower school faculty members

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in education field preferred
• Licensure as an intervention specialist preferred
• Three or more years of teaching experience as a learning or intervention specialist
• Training and or credentialing in the Orton Gillingham approach
• Experience and training in working with students with learning disabilities and executive function challenges
• Knowledge of varied pedagogy and trends in instruction and curriculum design at the elementary level
• Ability to teach a full range of elementary school subjects and differentiate instruction
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Strong organizational skills

Physical Conditions

Candidates must be able to manage the following conditions:

• An office environment within an academic setting
• Mobility around school buildings and on different floors
• Repetitive motion (use of a keyboard)
• Periodic need to move light furniture, hang visuals, carry objects (no more than 40 pounds), etc.
• A non-smoking campus