Learning Support Specialist Faculty 2024-25

Description

Western Reserve Academy, one of the nation’s premier boarding schools, invites experienced, dynamic, and collaborative educators who are passionate about learning support. Candidates should have the ability to inspire students and colleagues and the willingness to participate fully in all that is associated with a vibrant boarding school community.   

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Create instructional goals and objectives which align with a student's individual learning profile.
• Help students develop effective learning strategies that promote academic improvement in executive functioning skills, problem solving, reading comprehension, and written expression.
• Teach students to understand their learning strengths and challenges and how to use supportive strategies to become self-directed learners.
• Interpret and translate educational testing results into appropriate accommodations and/or recommendations in line with WRA’s programs and policies.
• Collaborate and consult with faculty to promote inclusive practices and ensure the successful integration of accommodations in the classroom.
• Maintain support services documentation using anecdotal notes, school systems and student files while maintaining confidentiality. 
• Assist in overseeing standardized testing accommodations for College Board and ACT standardized tests.
• Establish and maintain communication with families of students on caseload.
• Communicate and collaborate with the Director of Learning Support, teachers, and other adults in support of individual student needs.
• Attend professional development. 
• Perform other related duties and assume other responsibilities as assigned by the school.
• Participate in the student life program, including dormitory duty. 
• Outside of the classroom, teachers will supervise co-curricular activities (e.g. varsity or sub-varsity teams, community service activities, clubs, publications, etc.).
• Serve as an academic advisor for a small group of students. 
• Attend school and faculty gatherings/events. 

Requirements

The ideal candidate possesses most or all of the following qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Education (Special Education or Learning Support certification preferred)
• 3 years of experience teaching or working directly with students and families as a learning specialist or related role
• Extensive experience providing student support in both small group and 1:1 settings.
• Deep and broad understanding and ability to provide a variety of interventions including executive functioning, written expression, reading comprehension and time management.
• Familiarity and experience with assistive technologies including audiobook formats, speech recognition and others. 
• Experience working collaboratively, cooperatively, and effectively with faculty, families, and other constituencies
• Strong interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with high school students, particularly ones who need academic support. 
• Ability to work well with a team and independently.
• High degree of cultural competence and demonstrated experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.