What are the responsibilities and job description for the Learning Specialist position at St. Patrick Catholic School?
Job Summary:
The Learning Specialist Teacher at St. Patrick Catholic School is responsible for supporting the academic success of students with mild to moderate learning differences by providing tailored assistance within the Learning Center (LC). This role involves close collaboration with general education teachers, administration, and other campus staff to create an inclusive instructional environment that facilitates student success in the general education classroom.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide Academic Support
? - Push in to classes to assist teachers and students with independent work requiring one-on-one support or small group assistance.
? - Pull out small groups to help students complete assignments, study for tests, and understand key concepts covered in their general education classes.
? - Offer morning tutoring and study sessions as needed, particularly during midterms and finals.
? - Proactively work with students to develop good educational skills.
- Assist students with the development of executive functioning skills.
Collaborate with the Director of Student Success to write Accommodation Plans for students in 5th to 8th grade
? - Review testing and write Student Accommodation Plans for students in 5th to 8th grade.
? - Coordinate meetings to finalize plans with families and appropriate SPS staff. Plans are a live and working document that may need to be revisited during the school year.
Collaborate with General Education Teachers
? - Work closely with general education teachers to receive necessary instructional materials, including worksheets, study guides, lesson plans, and tests.
? - Coordinate efforts to ensure that the content mastery services align with the curriculum and instructional goals set by general education teachers.
? - Advocate as needed for students within the guidelines of the SPS handbook and written accommodation plan.
Facilitate Student Independence
? - Help students become aware of their strengths and areas of need, guiding them in developing compensatory strategies.
? - Encourage and assist students in becoming independent learners, capable of succeeding within the general education environment.
Develop a Study Skills Curriculum
- Develop, maintain, and teach a study skills curriculum. The goal of the study skills elective is to help our students gain the necessary skills to enhance their educational experience. This will be a class where time management, planning, goal setting, and the how-to's of studying will be covered.
Teach 5th Grade transitional ELA class
- Collaborate with general 5th grade ELA teacher to develop transitional class for students who are dyslexic and finished the Take Flight class in 4th grade.
- Teach transitional class in such a way to benefit students with mainstreaming their skills into the general 5th grade class by the beginning of the 4th quarter of their 5th grade year.
- Effectively communicate this class and the transition with parents.
Maintain a Supportive Environment
? - Create a positive and structured environment for the Content Mastery Center that encourages student success within the SPS community.
? - Ensure students bring the necessary materials and instructions for their assignments or tests when using the CMC.
? - Communicate effectively with parents.
Manage Student Referrals
? - Monitor student use of the Learning Center, ensuring they arrive with the appropriate passes and instructions.
? - Send students back to their general education classrooms if they are missing critical content, arrive without the necessary materials, or refuse assistance.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- State certification in special education or a related area.
- Experience working with students with learning differences in an inclusive educational setting.
- Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with general educators, specialists, other school staff, students, and families.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, proactive learning environment for all students.
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with various instructional strategies that support differentiated learning.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment.
- Experience with service learning or other experiential educational models is a plus.
