Learning Specialist

Riverbend School

Job Description

Position: Learning Specialist

Reports to: Childrens House Director

Classification: Full Time exempt

Supervises: NA

Scope of work: Responsible for learning support needs as identified by Head of School

Experience Requirements:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and writing
• Ability to use learning support materials and understanding of curriculum
• Clear CORI and MA fingerprinting
• Must be comfortable working in a culturally diverse environment and committed to embracing differences and valuing multiple perspectives

Education/Certification Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree
• Montessori certification preferred
• Special Education degree or experience preferred
• Phonics training preferred

General Responsibilities:

• Work with classroom teachers to identify and support students who may be struggling academically or behaviorally
• Lead pull-out groups and provide pull-out services when needed
• Design and prepare learning support plans for individual students in the Toddler and Primary programs
• IEP or 504 support for individual students
• Service coordination with outside service providers

Specific Responsibilities:

Educational Program and Student Service

• Provide academic support to students through co-teaching one on one and small group instruction
• Work collaboratively with teachers to identify students in need of support and help differentiate instruction
• Coordinate with outside service providers to provide in school support
• Work with families who are receiving outside support and communicate services to teachers
• Read and analyze psychoeducational evaluations and act as a liaison between the teachers families and outside providers
• Work in partnership with the Upper School and Childrens House Directors to ensure students teachers and families are supported
• Meet regularly with Childrens House Director and Upper School Learning Specialist working collaboratively to create and share curriculum related to Social Emotional Learning Language and any other identified areas that need more attention
• Demonstrate competency with Montessori philosophy and methods
• Maintain a safe calm engaging environment for students
• Set clear expectations for academic responsibilities and class routines
• Help teachers and/or students with any work plan or classroom differentiation necessary for their success
• Give lessons to individual students and in small groups as instructed
• Give input on curriculum planning and implementation
• Regular classroom observations of whole class and individual students to observe and consult on behavior management strategies
• Recognize when students are not progressing as expected and communicate this to teachers/administration for collaboration and follow-up
• Follow recommendations for students with an IEP 504 or neuropsych evaluation and insure that they have the supports in place to be successful
• Support students with individual behavioral plans
• Train and supervise children regarding emergency practices such as fire drills

Constituent Relations

• Build productive relationships with parents through parent education events Parent/Teacher conferences (twice a year) additional parent meetings if concerns arise and parent volunteer opportunities in the classroom.

• Build collaborative relationships with other faculty and administrative staff

• Build positive relations with community organizations (Wellesley Speech and OT etc.) to support specific classroom curriculum and service learning

Administration

• Provide input on written progress reports for each child (twice yearly) regarding academic organizational developmental and social growth.
• Maintain daily attendance in Renweb
• Work collaboratively with administration to address concerns regarding students parents and staff
• Report all accidents/ incidents to administration and complete accident forms as needed
• Attend staff meetings including but not limited to student support level divisional and teaching team meetings workshops and professional development
• Attend weekly level and faculty meetings if requested
• Perform duties related to the arrival/dismissal of school at Childrens House

School Culture

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to professional ethics
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Montessori Education by modeling the Montessori values of grace and courtesy respect and responsibility in visible daily actions
• Demonstrate commitment to competent communications and conflict resolution efforts across the school community
• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of each student and colleague
• Consistently give input on teacher leadership

Other

• Take on other duties as assigned

It is expected that all staff will function as self-directed members in a team effort. All activities and performances should meet appropriate professional standards and adhere to the philosophy and mission of the Riverbend School.

Mobility & Engagement: Frequently moving about the campus to follow the school schedule
including ascending/descending stairs and transitioning between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Student Interaction: The ability to position oneself at a childs level (e.g. kneeling sitting or crouching) and assist students with daily tasks like zipping jackets tying shoes or managing materials.
Supervision: Effectively monitoring students during recess and outdoor activities in various weather conditions.
Physical Assistance: Occasionally moving or lifting classroom materials or equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
Sensory & Focus: Maintaining focus and safety in a moderately noisy environment with frequent interruptions; specific vision capabilities are required to ensure student safety and accurate record-keeping.

Accommodations: Riverbend School is committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job provided such accommodations do not impose an undue hardship on the schools operations.

Commitment to DEIJ:

Riverbend School is committed to becoming an anti-bias and anti-racist community. All candidates must be committed to furthering this work by embracing differences; exploring and affirming the identities and intersections of all which include race ethnicity gender sexual orientation religion socioeconomics social class family structures learning differences and differences in ability. Candidates must be comfortable working in a culturally diverse environment.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color LGBTQIA educators or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools.

EEO Statement:

Riverbend School is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment. Riverbend strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race color religion creed sex pregnancy national origin sexual orientation gender identity age physical or mental disability genetic predisposition or carrier status marital status veteran status or any other class protected under applicable federal state or local law.

Required Experience:

Senior IC