Middle School Learning Specialist Long-Term Substitute

Catherine Cook School•Chicago, IL

4d•$60,000 - $66,000•Onsite

About The Position

Catherine Cook School seeks a creative and collaborative Long Term Substitute Middle School Learning Specialist. This educator will provide individualized and small‑group academic support across subject areas in grades 5 and 6, partner with teachers to implement accommodations and differentiated instructional practices, and contribute to a coordinated approach to student well-being as part of the DEI/Wellness Team. The ideal candidate is a compassionate and intellectually curious educator who believes that young adolescents thrive when they feel understood, supported, and challenged. They see learning differences as natural variations in how students process the world. They design environments where every learner can access rigorous ideas, take academic risks, and develop confidence in their own abilities. The candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues to interpret assessment data, implement accommodations, and design instruction that honors diverse learning profiles. They will value growth over perfection, process over product, and relationships over routines. The ideal candidate approaches teaching as the craft of creating meaningful learning experiences that help students understand themselves as learners, advocate for their needs, and participate fully in the academic and social life of the community.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities, Specialist Education, or a related field
Experience working within the field of learning disabilities or special education
Background in Language Arts instruction within educational or specialized learning settings
Experience building supportive relationships with students in grades 5-8
Experience with teaching and supporting students in literacy
Experience remediating grade-level curriculum for grades 5-6 in the areas of reading and written language
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff are essential

Responsibilities

Analyzing and interpreting psycho-educational evaluations to create individual learning plans that include evidence-based interventions
Communicating student learning needs to faculty and families
Screening, observing, and evaluating students for learning and/or attention supports
Providing individualized and small group instruction in literacy to identified students
Assisting teachers with differentiating instruction support or practices
Participating in meetings regarding students of academic concern and assisting in determining what recommendations should be made to help students succeed
Serving as a liaison between the home, school, and outside professionals, inclusive of managing a specific caseload and/or serving as a Case Load Manager for the Student Services Support (SSS) Team
Training students in self-advocacy and executive function skills
Leading and teaching MS Learning Lab Class
Providing push-in learning support to fifth and sixth grade students with identified learning needs
Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties and administrative tasks
Growing as a lifelong learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities
Applying skills as supported by training and protocols for proactive and responsive community building
Proactively and reflectively communicating through various platforms the vision, goals, and progress of your work with both internal and external collaborators
Growing our culture of belonging and wellness through active participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts
Serving as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts
Employing Google and Outlook Applications for individual and team collaboration and communication