Learning Specialist

The Waverly School seeks a Middle and High School Learning Specialist for the second semester to serve students from 7th-12th grades students who are diagnosed with learning differences, ADHD and ASD but also serves as a consultative resource for faculty/staff and parents/guardians, and serves as a liaison with independent diagnosticians, therapists, and tutors.This is a highly collaborative role that serves as a member of the student support team. The Learning Specialists reports to the Head of School and is a critical part of the team that supports a broad range of learners. The Learning Specialist must have the capacity to help support the technical elements of the Learning Services role and possess the emotional and empathic capacity to help students and families to succeed in middle and high school. We acknowledge that this role requires understanding of people as well as the intersection of learning skills, identity development and management mental health.Job ResponsibilitiesProvide direct learning support for middle and high school students in areas that include organization and time management, self advocacy, utilizing accommodations effectively, helping students develop executive functioning skills, helping maintain engagement with tasks, how to manage cognitive load, note-taking, reading comprehension, and learning and study strategies.Collaborate to assist students in their development with the student support team, upper school counselor, faculty, advisors, enrollment management team, and other members of the communityDevelop and facilitate academic support services and accommodation plansCoordinate school-based testing with accommodationsConsult with faculty about learning strategies for specific studentsInitiate referrals regarding learning evaluations and serve as a liaison between the school and external resources; managing the school based aspects of the referral process.Oversee the application and appeal processes for obtaining accommodations on standardized testsFacilitate related meetings with students, families, faculty and independent professionalsEngage regularly with students regarding their academic performance and planning, coaches and counsels students for academic success, maximizing potential and self-advocacyConfer with parents/guardians regarding student needs and provide outside referrals when appropriateSupport families on matters that impact learning and academic achievementHave a general understanding of how mental health diagnoses can impact learning and identifying ways to support their learning goalsAssist in the development of related faculty professional development programs and opportunitiesDemonstrate cultural competence to students, families, faculty and staff of varying racial, ethnic, religious, gender, cultural, disability, sexual orientation and socioeconomic backgroundsEngage in middle school to high school transition planning and participate in admissions committeeParticipate in regular student support team meetings to assess overall progress and recommend appropriate supports for individual studentsAttend faculty meetings and appropriate divisional professional development workshopsWork closely with the Student Support Team and Division Heads to address learning-based concerns/needsCommitment to professional developmentPerform other duties as assigned by the Head of SchoolDesired QualificationsBachelor's degree in special education or a closely related field requiredFamiliarity with current trends and strategies for differentiating instruction and universal design at the secondary levelKnowledge of SAT/ACT/PSAT accommodation procedures and procedures for appealExperience In An Educational Setting PreferredExperience with psychoeducational and neuropsychological testingBackground in student advocacy in instructional situations and a high level of competence to support and empower students with learning differencesExperience working with members of marginalized communitiesStrong communication and organizational skillsAbility to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary teamDemonstrated cultural competence, including self-awareness and openness to learning about self in relation to othersFluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Armenian, Korean, Chinese, Tagalog or FarsiOther Employment RequirementsInitial and continued employment background investigation required – fingerprints via Live ScanInitial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools.CPR/AED/First Aid certification training every two years.Annual Mandated Reporter and Harassment Prevention Training and any other required training.Adhere to school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee and Faculty Handbooks.The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, military or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.Classification: Exempt, Full-timeTypical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Salary Range: $70,000-90,000 annually depending on experience, salary will be prorated for the duration of the assignment.