Olympia - Teacher - Graduation Specialist (Capital HS) 2022-23

Job Purpose Statement/s:The Graduation Specialist will work in conjunction with staff in the Olympia School District to provide assistance and support to middle school and high school students who are not on track for on-time graduation. The Graduation Specialist is responsible for assisting students to create a graduation plan, and to help students navigate systems in order to achieve that plan.

Certificated Required Attachments:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 3 Certificated Reference Forms and/or Letters
• Valid Washington State Certification

This 1.0 FTE continuing position will work Monday through Friday, 8:25am – 3:55pm.

The ability to building relationships with a perspective that embrace positive attitudes and beliefs, cultural and linguistic competence, an understanding of the needs and experiences of students, and an understanding of the school environment.

The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups, communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed.

Demonstrates the relationship skills that are essential to help us build and maintain meaningful connections across race, culture, age, and distance; support one another during collective grief and struggle; and collaboratively find solutions to new obstacles and strengthen our restorative practices.

The ability to validate and affirm a student around essential aspects of their identity, so they feel seen, heard, and valued that included culturally and linguistically responsiveness to create more meaningful, sustaining connections with students.

The knowledge and ability to catch the student doing something positive and call home to tell their parent/guardian about it that supports student relationships and growth.

The ability to forgive students and to distinguish the behavior from the student, a relationship characteristic most important to students.

The Olympia School District is committed to increasing the diversity of staff in our schools. Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths and experiences in this area.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of and/or experience related to the state mandated testing and assessment
• Work cooperatively and effectively as an instructional team member
• Establish rapport with students, colleagues, and administrators
• Willingness to benefit from building supervision, evaluation programs and professional development
• Familiarity with district adopted curriculum and assessments
• Ability to follow School Board policies and procedures
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Meet with students that are credit deficient and create academic improvement plans.
• Regularly monitor student progress data
• Collaborate with after school tutoring instructors and tutors
• Communicate with students, teachers, and parents regarding students’ academic progress
• Oversee RTI interventions and early warning systems for the building
• Oversee e-learning experiences for students and coordinate student enrollment with counselors
• Communicate with teachers regarding students in need of intervention
• Develop data tracking systems to support teachers in their work with students in collaboration with Career Center and counselors
• Act as liaison between middle and high schools to support incoming 9th graders with transition
• Support High School and Beyond planning and implementation for students in grades 8-12
• Participate in team planning, programming, and program management focused on facilitating student success
• Provide appropriate preparation for state-mandated assessments
• Recognize individual students’ needs and provide appropriate strategies and interventions
• Foster and maintain a safe, positive learning environment
• Cooperate with building principal and staff in implementation of high-quality mentoring and intervention programs
• Participate in building and district in-service education/training programs
• Attend building/district meetings and conferences as required
• Develop a graduation plan for each student to help identify and address barriers to graduation
• Connect students with service providers so that they may focus on school
• Act as a liaison between the Olympia School District staff and students
• Help students develop necessary academic skills and effective communication
• Other duties as assigned