Learning Specialist

Company: Lake Forest Country Day School
Location: Lake Forest
Posted on: May 15, 2022

Job Description:

Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS) seeks a talented and dedicated full-time Learning Specialist, starting in August 2022. This qualified candidate will join the Student Support team in providing research-based specialized instruction to students with a diverse range of learning needs and learning differences. The candidate will work collaboratively with the Student Support team, classroom teachers, students in preschool--8th grade, parents, and administrators to problem-solve and help students develop skills and strategies that adhere to their individual needs and enhance academic growth.

LFCDS, located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational, independent day school serving 400 students from age 2 through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children are known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, academic rigor, and attention to individual needs. -

The central mission of the Learning Specialist is to ensure that Lake Forest Country Day School identifies and supports its students who learn differently during elementary grades through middle school and provide appropriate instruction and intervention based on educational best practices supported by neuroscience research. The Learning Specialist role also includes a responsibility to work collaboratively with other faculty members to help ensure curricular offerings are fully differentiated to meet the student's needs, and includes helping write and design individualized learning plans for students and updating them as needed. -

Key Responsibilities -

• Identify, monitor, and remediate students who learn differently. This involves working with faculty, parents, private contractors, and evaluators on behalf of students who require specialized academic instruction. -
• Provide one-on-one and small-group support/instruction for students, both in push-in and pull-out environments. -
• Support students using specialized instruction in the areas of reading, written language, mathematics, executive functioning, and study skills. -
• Conduct ongoing assessments to identify needs and evaluate student growth and responsiveness to intervention. -
• Actively participate in monthly consult meetings and weekly team meetings with teachers, Learning Specialists, Counselors, and Division Heads. -
• Assume an active role in Learning Development and Student Support Team meetings.
• Collaborate with LFCDS School Counselors to support students' social-emotional needs.
• Read and summarize neuropsychological evaluation reports for faculty as necessary.
• Collaborate with outside evaluators and professionals to support individual students' needs.
• Write, maintain and update Individualized Educational Plans. -
• Guide teachers in differentiating instruction and implementing classroom accommodations and modifications. -
• Support teaching staff by offering resources, assistance, advice, and training to enable faculty to better meet the needs of all learners. -
• Counsel families on learning support, classroom and assessment accommodations.
  Prepare and support students as they transition between each grade and secondary school. - Professional and Personal Qualifications -
  • A bachelor's degree or master's degree in education with special education/LBS1 certification or endorsement from an accredited college or university is required; a graduate degree is preferred. -
  • Extensive knowledge of learning differences and strategies. -
  • Experience teaching diverse learners and age groups. -
  • Knowledge of early intervention, RTI, formative and summative assessments, acquisition of reading, and be current on the general teaching of reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Training/certification in a multisensory reading program such as Wilson, SLANT, or Orton-Gillingham is preferred. LFCDS would fund such training for the appropriate candidate, even if they lack this skillset at present. -
  • Knowledge and experience writing Individualized Educational Plans. -
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills as well as proven ability to work with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. -
  • A willingness to learn and grow professionally. -
  • Outstanding judgment and emotional maturity. -
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. -
  • High level of energy, creativity, positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility. - Mission Statement: Inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to individual needs, a commitment to responsible citizenship-these principles infuse every aspect of life at Lake Forest Country Day School and define our dedication to producing students of strong character with a passion for learning. -
    
    Core Values: Excellence, Partnership, Responsibility, Participation, Diversity -
    
    Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, and the names of three professional references (personal statement optional) in PDF format to the attention of Robin Baasen, Director of Student Support, at robin.baasen@lfcds.org with the subject line "Learning Specialist Application."
    
    Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body. LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8.
    Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
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Keywords: Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest , Learning Specialist, Other , Lake Forest, California