Learning Specialist

Position Title: Learning Specialist

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Director of Learning Services

Schedule: This is a 12-month position.

Salary Range: $100-120k

Job Description

This position reports to the Director of Learning Services and responsibilities include serving as a case manager for our students with diagnosed learning disabilities and as a consultant for faculty and students when learning issues arise. Additionally, the Learning Specialist supports the development of curriculum on meta-cognition and the science of learning that serves all students in the school.

Strong candidates will have broad knowledge and experience of how people learn and the multitude of factors that affect learning. Independent school classroom experience is a plus, as is demonstrated experience assisting students and families in applying for accommodations in standardized testing environments.

Because San Francisco University High School is a college preparatory school, we seek faculty members who are thoroughly educated in their disciplines, who are devoted to the love of learning, who will expand the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives present in our community, and who will contribute to the school’s invigorating intellectual climate by promoting our values of care, inquiry, integrity, agency, interconnection. Throughout the school, we seek to hire adults who are stimulating and supportive in their work with students and who share our belief in the moral and educational value of diversity.

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER FUNCTIONS

Essential Functions

• Serve as a liaison between the school and families of students with learning differences, or outside agencies, in order to enhance the academic experience of our students;
• Review neuropsychological and psycho-educational evaluations and interpret findings for students, families, and teachers;
• Determine what accommodations, if any, the school will provide to support the student;
• Create, maintain, and update individual Student Support Plans for students at UHS who receive accommodations;
• Assist students to coordinate their accommodations and communicate these accommodations to teachers;
• Provide ongoing monitoring and support of students with learning differences throughout their time at UHS;
• Act on referrals from teachers, mentors, and deans to reach out to students who are academically at-risk; may include meeting with students, reviewing samples of student work, observing students in a classroom setting, and developing a clear plan of action;
• Make referrals to specialists and outside agencies for professional evaluation and/or educational therapy as needed;
• Maintain discretion and keep confidential records and relevant documentation of students with learning differences;
• In collaboration with the Director of Learning Services, deans, and relevant committees, monitor and develop policies related to academic accommodations at UHS;
• Work closely with the School Counseling team to support students with comorbid diagnoses and arrange accommodations based on mental health diagnoses where appropriate;
• Consult with individual faculty upon request, providing support as needed to teachers and mentors regarding the needs of specific students;
• Develop student self-advocacy skills; work towards reducing the stigma of learning differences within the school community;
• Stay abreast of best practices in the field of learning differences to inform the UHS program and make recommendations as needed to the deans;
• Apply on behalf of students for accommodations on standardized tests through the College Board and the ACT;
• Remain informed of current College Board and ACT requirements; advise families regarding testing dates, validity of documentation, and application procedures;
• Arrange for supervision and proctoring of standardized tests, when needed, and at times on weekends, for students who receive accommodations;
• Work closely with the deans and mentor coaches to support professional growth of the faculty in the area of learning, neurodiversity and adolescent brain development;
• Identify and instruct students in the use of appropriate assistive technologies, such as smart pens, apps, speech-to-text or text-to-speech software and other resources;
• Support the daily functioning of the Learning Center as a space in the school where students can engage in silent study with minimal distraction during the school day;
• Assist in the maintenance of the Learning Services portion of the school website, providing up-to-date resources for both parents and students;
• Manage school membership in relevant associations.
• Develop, teach, and train colleagues and students on topics related to learning and metacognition
• Be available to all UHS students for direct consultation regarding study skills, test taking, organization, and time management;
• Work closely with 9th grade mentors to identify and support 9th grade students in their transition to UHS.

Other Functions

• Collaborate with the College Counseling office to provide supporting information on junior and senior students with learning diagnoses;
• Consult with the Admissions office upon request to help determine applicants’ capacity for success in the UHS academic program;
• In collaboration with the Admissions team, respond to inquiries from families of middle school students with learning differences to clarify our academic support program and determine how/if we can accommodate the applicant’s learning support needs (including around any placement exams);
• Attend regular conferences and events related to academic support to strengthen connections with learning support programs in peer schools and stay abreast of current issues;
• In collaboration with the deans, address parent groups to provide information on topics such as homework or final exam preparation;
• Maintain physical and digital resources related to learning, neuroscience, and learning differences for student information.
• Assist with the development, supervision, and management of our Peer Tutor and Lead Peer Tutor programs
• Build relationships with outside tutoring providers in the event a referral is needed.
• Fulfill other duties as specified by the Director of Learning Services or the Administrative team.

San Francisco University High School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.