Date Posted: May 2021
School Counselor – Full-time position for the 2021-22 school year
Summary – The Learning Specialist will provide individualized academic support to students who have been identified with learning differences. She/he will work closely with students, teachers, and parents to develop learning strategies tailored to each student’s particular learning style, in order to help improve their grades and support their personal, spiritual and academic progress. As a new and evolving role, the incumbent will be expected to collaborate with the leadership and counseling teams in developing an effective learning support framework for the school that is mutually beneficial to the students with learning differences. This position works an 11-month schedule.
Essential Functions
Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Participate as a member of the Counseling Department.
- Participate in Care Management Team (CMT) meetings when appropriate.
- Create and maintain files for students with learning differences including IEP’s, accommodations, and student schedules.
- Create a formal protocol, procedures, and documentation process for students who may need additional classroom support.
- Work with the Assistant Principal for Academics and the Main Office Staff to coordinate and organize final exams for students with learning differences in terms of extended time exams.
- This position is also responsible to coordinate all aspects of national testing (SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP) for students with learning differences, including the administration of all school-based testing.
- Other duties as required.
Student Services:
- Work with students in the development of self-advocacy.
- Organize and manage student testing services including extended time final exams.
- Help students to develop effective learning strategies that promote academic improvement.
- Engage and encourage students in the active process of learning.
- Meet with and informally assess students to identify learning, social and emotional factors that impact performance.
- Support students with different learning styles by providing recommendations, coordination, and follow-through for intervention, remediation, or outside school support with appropriate professionals.
- Develop formal accommodation plans for students with learning differences, which may include coordinating tutoring.
- Meet with parents of incoming freshmen presenting an overview of support services for students. Additionally, hold general, grade level meetings for all parents of students with learning differences.
- The Learning Specialist is expected to host extended office hours, making themselves available to meet with students, before and after school as necessary.
Faculty Services:
- Create a database of effective teaching methods for different learning styles and aptitudes.
- Support teachers in their efforts to advance students with learning differences in the classroom.
- Support teachers to create skillful classroom management practices.
- Develop and maintain communication and documentation protocols related to learning support.
- Support faculty by offering resources, assistance, advice, and training to enable faculty to better meet the needs of all learners.
- Work with PLC groups to continue the progress made in the area of learning difference awareness and strategies.
Education, Skills & Abilities
- A Master’s Degree in special education or educational therapy or a directly applicable field is required.
- Comprehensive knowledge and relative understanding of learning differences and developmental exceptionalities.
- Ability to assess information and resources where breakdowns in learning occur.
- Possess expertise to recommend targeted interventions.
- Possess an insightful understanding of effective teaching methods for different learning styles and aptitudes.
- General knowledge of behavior and mental health standards.
- Superior interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and at all levels.
- Ability to work effectively with students, teachers, parents, and school administration.
- Ability to present to small groups.
- Candidates must possess strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills as well as a genuine interest in working with students and parents/guardians in order to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
- Possess requisite computer skills sufficient to navigate school systems and databases.
- Ability to lead/moderate students, in large groups and one-on-one.
Loyola is an EOE.