Student Learning Specialist

The Fay School•Houston, TX

About The Position

This position reports to the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning. The Student Learning Specialist role is student-facing, and its main responsibilities are assisting teachers in evaluating student needs, determining action steps for students, and working closely with teachers support the learning of students through differentiated teaching. The Student Learning Specialist supports teachers of students who are either facing challenges or needing enrichment by coaching teachers in instructional best practices in the school curricula, effective unit/lesson planning, Responsive Classroom academic competencies, differentiation, and integrating outdoor experiences in the curriculum. This specialist provides small-group targeted instruction and teaching or modeling in the classroom. A positive, clear line of communication between the school, educational evaluators, therapists, and families must also exist.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in special education or similar field, Masters Degree in special education or similar field preferred
Minimum of 4-10 years of teaching experience in elementary grades
Experience working with children with learning differences, superior academic ability, and twice exceptional challenges.
Possesses extensive knowledge and experience with the various curricula and instructional approaches implemented by the school and experience coaching teachers in these areas.
Extensive knowledge and training in the Responsive Classroom approach in both the SEL and academic competencies.
Experience in coaching teachers in the Responsive Classroom competencies.
Experience with Understanding by Design and in coaching teachers in developing integrated, differentiated, fully developed unit plans.
Experience with coaching weekly lesson planning sessions.
Experience in administering the CTP-5.
Experience in independent schools.
Demonstrates a positive, collaborative attitude when working with teachers.
Ability to enthusiastically work both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions, including rain, cold, heat, etc., and on various surfaces, some inclined, including grass, dirt, trails, decking, pavement, and concrete.
Ability to perform sustained standing and walking, navigating stairs, kneeling, lifting, and carrying up to 20 lbs., monitoring children and the immediate environment visibly and audibly, and ability to give audible instructions that English speakers can understand in a loud environment.
Commitment to ongoing learning, including participating in at least eight hours of summer professional development such as a conference, book, or research on a topic approved by the Principal.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams and Google.

Responsibilities

Partners with all Teachers and the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning to promote effective, student-centered teaching and learning (project-based learning, reading/writing workshop model, Bridges in Mathematics, Responsive Classroom, etc.)
Provides explicit targeted small-group instruction by pushing in or pulling out students.
Coordinates school-wide and grade-wide assessments, such as ERB’s CTP-5 and ISEE, and assists in evaluating student and school data.
Tracks student progress with teachers and communicates next steps to parents in order to help students progress appropriately.
Coordinates all outside therapists and tutors for on and off campus support to aid student growth and learning
Manages Learning Profiles in Blackbaud.
Actively assists with annual admissions assessments as directed by the Director of Admissions.
Actively supports faculty learning in differentiation and evolving pedagogy through grade-level planning and site-based professional development.
Oversees all benchmark assessments.
Engages in professional learning to seek innovative curricula and technological applications.
Sets annual goals and works toward them.
Attends semi-monthly faculty meetings until 4:30 and in-service days, presenting when appropriate.
Volunteers for service at one or more Fay community events per year.
Commitment to ongoing learning including participating in at least eight hours of summer professional development such as a conference or research on a topic approved by the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning.
Willing and able to routinely and appropriately use a personal smartphone to utilize school apps to communicate, collaborate, and fulfill responsibilities as outlined in this Performance Profile.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning and the Head of School.
Supports the School and its Leadership Team.