Middle School Learning Specialist

Middle School Learning Specialist 

AURORA SCHOOL

Aurora School’s mission is to nurture children’s love of learning by cultivating academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and social engagement. Established in 1988, as a K-5 independent school, Aurora is now aK-8 school that combines challenging academics, small multi-age classes, differentiated instruction, and a keen awareness of children’s social and emotional development. We strive to foster students’ development into self-aware, confident life-long learners and leaders who step up to advocate for themselves and others, throughout school, in our Oakland community, and in the world at large. Our talented staff provide a safe learning atmosphere that extends beyond the classroom to every aspect of the school. The result is that Aurora graduates have a strong and solid foundation for high school and beyond.

We seek a culturally competent Middle School Learning Specialist to work with our dedicated, diverse and supportive community.

Employment Status: Part-Time employee or Contractor

Reports to: Head of School

Hours: Vary between the hours of 8-4pm, unless meetings require otherwise

POSITION OVERVIEW

The central mission of the Middle School Learning Specialist is to ensure that Aurora School identifies and supports its students who have learning disabilities/differences and provides appropriate instruction and intervention based on educational best practices supported by neuroscience research. The Learning Specialist is responsible for helping to manage ongoing screening processes for all necessary middle school students at intervals throughout the school year and works collaboratively with the faculty to ensure students are progressing in accordance with grade-level benchmarks.

When a student demonstrates a concerning pattern of performance and/or behavior, the Learning Specialist will lead the process of assessing and making recommendations for appropriate actions to support the student and family with the grade-level team. For some students, this work involves making referrals for diagnostic evaluations, assisting parents and faculty in interpreting evaluation results, making referrals for specialized services, and monitoring students’ involvement with specialized instructors who are contracted to provide specialized services.

The Learning Specialist is responsible for working collaboratively with other faculty members to help ensure that curricular offerings are fully differentiated to meet the student’s needs; and includes helping to write and design individualized learning plans for students and update them as needed.

• Leads the process for identifying, monitoring, and remediating students who learn differently. This involves interfacing with faculty, parents, and private contractors on behalf of students who require specialized academic instruction (including advanced learners).
• Additional responsibilities include helping to educate faculty and parents on topics relevant to learning differences and cultivating a network of community professionals to support Aurora students and families.
• Meets regularly with and organizes Student Support Teams at Middle School level for students who have Individualized Learning Plans and/or students for whom faculty have growing concerns.
• Helps define appropriate general and specialized instruction, collaborating with the faculty to help ensure instruction is of high quality. This includes assisting with implementation of models of differentiated instruction which provide specialized, small-group instruction in reading, writing, and math and working to identify, introduce, and maintain blended learning models.
• Supports Admissions in all the below ways:

1.  Help screen phone calls from incoming inquiries to determine if Aurora School will be an appropriate choice before families apply.
2. Attend assessments for applicants with learning challenges to determine if Aurora School will be an appropriate school for them.
3. Participate in 6-8th grade assessments of new applicants.
4. Helps write up any contingent contracts for applicants being accepted with contingencies (i.e. outside support, summer work, etc.)
5. Offers occasional faculty and parent educational programs or training.

• Offers occasional faculty and parent educational programs or training.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• Master’s degree in educational therapy
• 3-5 years of experience as a Learning Specialists
• Applicants must have a strong knowledge base in learning differences, especially dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, as well as a deep knowledge base regarding ADHD and Executive Functioning issues.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills as well as a proven ability to work with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Outstanding judgment and maturity.
• A high level of positive energy and professionalism, creativity, and flexibility.
• Strong ability and desire to collaborate with colleagues and parents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The position can be physically demanding. Reasonable accommodations may be made if requested in advance.

HOW TO APPLY    

Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for a minimum of three references. Please combine all documents into a single PDF and send it to HR@auroraschool.org.

NOTE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Aurora School does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin in the administration of its educational or admission policies, financial aid distribution, or other school programs. Aurora School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect such diversity.  

Tagged as: Middle School