Pathways HS Student Support Specialist Internal Posting

Pathways HS Student Support Specialist - Internal Posting

POSITION:

Student Support Specialist Pathways High School

LOCATION: Kenowa Hills Pathways High School

REPORTS TO: Kenowa Hills Pathways High School Principal

START DATE/CALENDAR: 202627 School Year / Per KHEA Master Agreement

Application Deadline: May:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Starting Date: August 1 2026

SALARY/BENEFITS: As outlined in the KHEA Master Agreement

FUNDING: 2026-27 school year funding from a combination of Special Education and Michigan categorical funds (At-Risk and/or CSI Regional Assistance Grant) identified by the District.

SUMMARY

Kenowa Hills Pathways High School (KHPHS) provides a highly customized personalized and future-focused high school experience for every learner. The mission of KHPHS is to equip graduates with a high level of college and career readiness through individualized pathways strong relationships and meaningful learning experiences. Students at Pathways earn a Kenowa Hills diploma while engaging in flexible pathways designed to meet Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements.

Students at Pathways benefit from a flexible relationship-centered environment designed to support re-engagement credit attainment and post-secondary success. Staff serve as facilitators of learning helping students connect academic content to their future goals through the Michigan Merit Curriculum Educational Development Plans (EDPs) and real-world experiences.

The Student Support Specialist plays a critical integrated role in ensuring all studentsboth general education students and those with IEPsreceive the targeted academic and instructional support necessary to succeed.

This position blends special education services intensive academic intervention and instructional coaching to support a cohesive schoolwide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

The Specialist will:

• Provide special education case management and specially designed instruction for students with IEPs
• Deliver and coordinate Tier II and Tier III interventions based on benchmark and progress monitoring data
• Coach and support general education teachers in implementing effective small-group instruction and intervention strategies

This role is essential in building a schoolwide system of support where intervention is embedded within daily instruction.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with secondary content area endorsement
• Special education endorsement required
• ELA (BA) endorsement preferred
• Reading Specialist (BR) endorsement preferred
• Strong understanding of adolescent literacy and differentiated instruction
• Experience delivering student interventions within MTSS frameworks
• Experience in alternative education credit recovery or blended learning environments
• Experience working with high school students preferred
• Demonstrated ability to build strong positive relationships with students
• Experience in alternative education credit recovery or non-traditional settings preferred
• Knowledge of culturally responsive practices and student-centered instruction
• Commitment to Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) and relational practices
• Experience as an instructional leader/coach
• Strong collaboration communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt instruction to meet diverse academic and social-emotional needs

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide special education case management including IEP development compliance and progress monitoring
• Deliver targeted reading and math interventions for students identified through benchmark assessments
• Use data (benchmark assessment local assessment progress monitoring) to identify students needing Tier II and Tier III support
• Develop intervention plans for both general education and special education students
• Work with Pathways High School Principal to support and coach general education teachers in small-group instruction differentiation and intervention strategies
• Model instructional strategies and co-plan lessons with staff
• Support implementation of a schoolwide MTSS system
• Collaborate with staff families and community partners to support student success
• Build strong relationships with students to support engagement attendance and academic progress
• Support students in connecting coursework to their Educational Development Plans (EDPs) and future goals
• Maintain high expectations while providing appropriate supports and interventions
• Collaborate with Pathways staff counselors and community partners to support student success
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and data-driven decision-making
• Maintain accurate records of attendance grades and student progress

WORK ENVIRONMENT EXPECTATIONS

This position is located within a non-traditional high school program that emphasizes flexibility relationship-building and individualized support.

Educators in this role must be comfortable:

• Working with students who may have experienced barriers in traditional settings
• Adapting instruction pacing and expectations to meet diverse needs
• Supporting student re-engagement and persistence toward graduation
• Maintaining consistency structure and high expectations in a flexible environment

The ability to remain patient responsive and solution-oriented while building trust with students is essential.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. This is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties responsibilities or requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the ability to:

• Stand walk and move throughout the classroom and school environment for extended periods
• Use hands and arms to operate technology instructional materials and classroom tools
• Communicate effectively with students staff and families

The work environment may include:

• Frequent movement transitions and varying noise levels
• Working with students who may demonstrate behavioral or emotional dysregulation including verbal outbursts or refusal

The role requires:

• The ability to remain calm patient and responsive in dynamic situations
• The ability to implement de-escalation strategies and maintain a safe structured learning environment
• The ability to support students with a range of academic social and behavioral needs

This position may involve responding to student behaviors in real time including supporting students in re-engaging with instruction and maintaining a safe learning environment.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Full-time position
• School year position per KHEA Master Agreement
• This is not a remote teaching position. It is a full-time in person position

NOTE TO APPLICANTS

Pursuant to PA 131 the selected candidate must receive clearance from the Michigan State Police Department prior to employment. The candidate is responsible for the background check fee.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

Kenowa Hills Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion national origin or ancestry sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity) age disability height weight marital status genetic information or any other legally protected status in its programs services activities or employment opportunities.

Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to:
Director of Human Resources
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
2325 Four Mile Road NW
Grand Rapids MI 49544
Phone:

Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Required Experience:

IC