Lower School Learning Specialist

Ursuline Academy is seeking a full-time Lower School Learning Specialist for the 2024-25 school year. The Learning Specialist will work with students across multiple grades/ages; however, their time will be prioritized for students who have been identified through data and evaluation to have significant need for skill remediation or advancement. . The Learning Specialist will adapt/modify the curriculum to correct misunderstandings and/or close skill gaps in primarily math, reading, and writing. Additionally, the Learning Specialist will employ other teaching techniques and strategies when necessary. The Learning Specialist should have strong content knowledge in language acquisition, foundational reading skills, and reading intervention systems (i.e Wilson, Orton Gillingham, Fountas and Pinnell, etc.)

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

● Evaluate and determine students' learning capacity and adapt lesson plans according to them

● When appropriate develop Individualized Education Plan (IEPs) goals, which are appropriate for a child’s individual learning needs (this will involve collaboration with school personnel and families to appropriately identify and address a student’s learning needs)

● Engage with families and build collaborative, respectful relationships with them in service of student learning.

● Develop a progress monitoring tool that is shared with respective teachers and families for specific students.

● Collaborate with classroom staff to ensure caseload students have appropriate access to curriculum and support/promote inclusive practices

● Actively uphold the school policies and procedures detailed in the Employee and Faculty Handbook

● Maintain data literacy.

● Use a variety of assessment tools to evaluate student learning, including formative and summative assessment

● Attend school liturgies, prayer services, retreats, and other mission-directed events or activities, Moving Up Ceremony, Back to School Nights, Conferences, Open Houses, school-sponsored extracurricular events, pep rallies, assemblies, community meetings, special events, etc. and chaperone as required

● Actively participate in Fall and Spring student conferences.

● Write specific, individual, and constructive comments on report cards/progress reports

● Actively communicate with students and families within 24 hours when students’ performance is of concern

● Model professional qualities of discretion, confidentiality, and respect through interpersonal relationships with colleagues, students, and families

● Perform other duties as assigned

WORK ETHIC:

● Maintain confidentiality at all times regarding the Ursuline community

● Contribute by personal example to an atmosphere of faith commitment in a manner consistent with Catholic values and Ursuline’s founder, St. Angela Merici

● Must be highly dependable and have a willingness to perform all other duties as assigned

● Respect, cooperate, and maintain a positive attitude with colleagues (faculty and staff), students, parents, and alumnae

● Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development

● Seeks to participate in and contribute to a collaborative adult learning community

REQUIREMENTS:

● Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Special Education and/or Reading Interventionist field

● Ability to rigorously progress monitor a student’s academic achievement data

● Learning Management System (LMS) experience with Google classroom, Net Classroom, helpful

● Willingness to continually learn. Stay abreast of any current educational trends pertaining to academic intervention.

● Willingness to undergo completion of a criminal background check, other clearances, and TB test

PREFERRED:

● Master’s degree and/or certification

● 2-4 years teaching experience in Early Childhood Elementary or Elementary Education

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, fingers, talk, hear, use stairs, handle, and or use objects. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must have the mobility required to ensure the safety of the children. Specific vision ability required by this job include close and distance vision. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 40 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to weather conditions or extreme cold or heat.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person