Language Development Specialist - Fall 2025

Description

A Johnson Academic Center (JAC) Language Development Specialist works with FCDS students who have a diagnosed learning disability, attentional deficit disorder, or other learning difference. They collaborate and consult with the Director and Assistant Director of the JAC, JAC teachers, FCDS administrative team, FCDS classroom teachers, school counselors, students, and parents.

Responsibilities:

• Works with FCDS students who have a diagnosed learning disability, attentional deficit disorder, or other learning differences; instruction follows a systematic outline (documented skills sequence) to meet student needs based on the psychological report
• Formulates an accommodation sheet and plan for each student assigned to their yearly workload and serves as a support for teacher referrals and parent questions (includes in program and out of program students)
• Works with other JAC personnel in the planning and implementation of individual, academic student needs
• Attends scheduled team meetings, coordinating the student’s progress; sets up and runs parent/teacher meetings for students who are in the referral process
• Communicates individual student’s pertinent educational recommendations made in the psychological reports to classroom teachers
• Consults with academic teachers and tutors as to appropriate techniques for working with students with learning differences
• Attends parent conferences of students enrolled in the Language Development program
• Meets regularly with other JAC personnel to discuss issues of mutual concern, to share ideas, to collaborate on student difficulties/successes, and to determine instructional needs
• Writes comments quarterly to reflect student progress
• Assists in scheduling exams, tests, etc. for students’ with accommodations sheets
• Assists in the giving of the standardized FCDS testing
• Assists in placement recommendations during the admission process
• Evaluates admission testing for individual students making appropriate recommendations
• Communicates with parents on a bi-weekly basis through email or the use of On Campus Official Notes
• Attends divisional and JAC faculty meetings and general meetings
• Serves as an ambassador to FCDS
• Assists the Director of the JAC with any duties assigned

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor's degree in Special Education or Learning Disabilities, Master’s degree or certification in learning disabilities, preferred
• Formal training in multisensory, structured language education from Orton-Gillingham Academy at the Associate level, required; Consideration given to candidates who are in process of completing OG Associate level requirements
• Classroom experience working with students with diagnosed learning disabilities and/or dyslexic students (3 years) strongly preferred

Essential functions:

• Regularly required to walk, talk, hear, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds
• Must be able to sit and stand throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.
• Must be able to operate a computer and have basic knowledge of Google Workspace
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed
• Must be able to utilize oral and written communication skills effectively