Learning Resource Specialist

Highlands School; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in Birmingham seeks a Learning Resource Specialist to provide academic support and develop Individual Learning Plans for students with diverse learning needs. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, special education experience, and knowledge of various learning differences. Responsibilities include collaborating with teachers and parents, guiding students in self-advocacy skills, and implementing research-based teaching methods to enhance learning outcomes. Join a committed team aiming for high academic success for all students.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five to seven years of special education teaching experience.
• Extensive knowledge of differentiation strategies for learning differences.
• Strong communication skills to work with students and parents.
• Love for working with elementary and middle school children.
• Compassion for all learners.
• Extensive knowledge of learning differences and differentiation strategies.
• Knowledge of assessments and interpretation of results.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic support for students in small groups or individual sessions.
• Develop Individual Learning Plans for students.
• Collaborate with grade level teams to support student progress.
• Provide resources and professional development for teachers.
• Use assistive technology to support learning differences and executive function skills.
• Administer relevant assessments and interpret PsychEd reports.

Skills

Teaching certification

Orton-Gillingham Certification

Special education experience

Strong interpersonal skills

Knowledge of learning differences

Student advocacy

Executive function training

Education

Teaching certification

Orton-Gillingham/Lindamood Bell certification

Job description

Highlands School is a vibrant leader in independent education in the Birmingham metropolitan region. Highlands School's whole-child focused academic program – guided by a comprehensive emphasis on physical, social-emotional, creative and intellectual development – educates and inspires students in preschool through 8th grade. The School was founded in 1958 and holds dual accreditation fromthe Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and COGNIA.

Position Overview:

The Learning Resource Specialist will provide academic support for recommended students in small groups and/or individual sessions, in push-in or pull-out settings. The Specialist will also coordinate Individual Learning Plans for these students. Additionally, the Learning Resource Specialist will develop and curate resources to support teachers in research-based teaching practices and will provide on-going support and professional development for teachers. This position requires the Specialist to be able to work with students who have varied learning differences. Highlands School is committed to providing support so that the needs of all students will be met and all can achieve at high levels of academic success.

Areas of Responsibility:

Major Responsibilities include the following:

Student Relationships:

• Build supportive, trusting relationships with students.
• Be attuned to each student’s specific learning profile.
• Help students develop self-advocacy skills and learning strategies that promote academic success.

Community Relationships (Teacher and Parent Relationships):

• Actively collaborate with the grade level teams to stay informed of and support student progress.
• Participate in the Student Support Team process.
• Participate in Parent-Teacher Conferences for students.
• Effectively communicate with parents and teachers to characterize how a student’s unique learning profile presents itself in the classroom.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Actively pursue new developments in teaching methods, educational psychology, differentiation in the classroom, and co-teaching methods.
• Develop student support plans that articulate needed accommodations.
• Guide parents and teachers with useful resources for the benefit of students' learning experience.
• Support teachers in the classroom through co-teaching or targeted mini-lessons for student success.
• Use technology effectively to address specific student needs and be able to support students in the use of assistive technology corresponding to their learning differences.
• Provide support for students in executive function skills.
• Administer relevant assessments (in reading, math, and writing) and be able to interpret results from PsychEd reports.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Teaching certification
• Certification in Orton-Gillingham and/or Lindamood Bell
• Minimum of five to seven years of special education teaching experience
• A love for working with elementary and middle school children
• Compassion for all learners
• Extensive knowledge and specialized training in learning differences(e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, language disabilities, etc.) and differentiation strategies for each exceptionality
• Knowledge of and experience administering a wide variety of relevant assessments
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with students, teachers, parents, and school administration
• Specialized training in executive function skills, organizational and study skills, SEL, reading, math, and writing interventions
• Experience working with students in a variety of classes and age groups

*We cannot accept electronic signatures on the application. Candidates must scan or send an application with an original, print signature.

Highlands School does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religious belief, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other protected class pursuant to applicable local, state or federal laws.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Kavita Vasil, Head of School

Highlands School, 4901 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham, AL 35213 | 205.956.9731

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visithttps://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.