Learning Specialist

About the Ancona School

The Ancona School (Ancona) is an independent school located in Chicagos historic Hyde Park Kenwood community educating students 3 years old through 8th grade. Since our founding in 1962 Ancona has been dedicated to diversity in both our community and our curriculum which draws upon the Montessori and Progressive Education models. Social justice education is the cornerstone of Anconas mission as a school; it informs what we teach and how we teach it. At every grade level Ancona students learn to identify inequality and are empowered to address injustice in the world.

At Ancona we seek diversity in our faculty and staff to broaden students academic experience and to enrich our school community. Ancona is looking for individuals who will contribute to our social justice mission and embrace the rich diversity of our school and city as we prepare our students for an increasingly complex world. Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of and possess an interest in working in a school community that is diverse with regard to gender race ethnicity religion nationality sexual orientation gender identity and expression and disability status.

Summary/Objective

The Ancona School is seeking a Learning Specialist to provide support to middle school-aged students who are experiencing challenges in the areas of reading writing math executive function and social-emotional regulation. Reporting to the Head of School and Director of Family and Student Services the Learning Specialist will provide support and strategies to students teachers and parents including classroom modifications accommodations and remedial instruction. This teacher will work with students both in the classroom and in a pull-out setting. Additionally this teacher will create and implement an individual learning plan (Student Support Plan) for each student on their caseload. They will routinely communicate and collaborate with teachers the Student Support Team and parents of students on the caseload.

Salary/Benefits

Salary range: $60000 - $70000

The Ancona School offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• PPO health insurance plan (100% employer funded)
• 403(b) with employer match
• $1800 annual HRA
• Dental/vision insurance
• 50% tuition remission
• Professional development opportunities
• 3 to 5 weeks of vacation time (based on time-off planning calendar that largely coincides with school breaks)

Specific Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Provide direct instruction and service to students with learning differences in the areas of reading writing math executive function and self-advocacy
• Differentiate instruction in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based practice
• Support and collaborate with classroom teachers meeting regularly to discuss students
• Assist students in their use of assistive technology (e.g. Google platform text-to-speech)
• Identify and utilize special materials and teaching strategies pertinent to individual student needs
• Assist with behavior management
• Provide appropriate activities and opportunities to enhance students understanding of their learning profiles and help them develop self-advocacy and self-determination skills
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffings which include speech-language therapists occupational therapists tutors psychologists etc.
• Communicate with parents on a regular basis to discuss student progress and make adjustments to services as needed
• Work as an integral part of the Student Support Team to continually assess and develop how we support students
• Other job duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors degree in special education with LBS1 certification
• Masters degree is preferred

Experience

• Preferred minimum of 2 years of teaching experience working with elementary or middle school-aged students with diverse learning needs
• Have an understanding of the developmental stages of learning for students aged 10-14
• Have an understanding of formative and summative assessments as well as other authentic strategies
• Experience with supporting executive functioning skills within a school setting
• Willingness to learn and grow professionally