Substitute Learning Specialist
About The Position
Curtis is seeking a Substitute Learning Specialist to begin immediately and provide short-term instructional coverage. This role is essential in maintaining continuity of learning and supporting our team-oriented, inclusive, and professional learning community. Curtis School is a DK-6 co-ed elementary school whose mission is to “develop, in every child, a sound mind in a sound body, governed by a compassionate heart.” We place an equal emphasis on academic, physical, social-emotional, and character education and instill a growth mindset modeled by faculty and staff who are the best in their craft. The Learning Specialist will be responsible for helping students with learning differences cultivate effective strategies and implementing interventions that promote academic development. Under the supervision of the Director of Educational Support, the successful candidate will work collaboratively with other members of the Learning Support Services Team and all grade-level teachers to facilitate an engaging curriculum that fulfills Curtis’s mission and values. The candidate must have an insightful understanding of effective teaching methods for different learning needs, excellent listening, observational, and time-management skills, and an empathetic mindset. A collegial personality and openness to feedback are essential traits, as is a love of working with primary school-aged children. Curtis School is fully committed to a diverse faculty and student body. The candidate should possess an abundance of respect and sensitivity around racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and all differences.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in special education or a similar field.
- 3+ years of experience as a learning specialist or in an equivalent role
- Extensive knowledge of learning differences and instructional pedagogy, as well as experience working with students with diagnosed learning disabilities and executive functioning challenges
- Be well-versed in research and assessment tools, particularly in early childhood development
- Understand the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education
- Provide a portfolio of teaching with examples of innovative lessons or projects that demonstrate creative and critical thinking and/or teach a demo lesson
- Be flexible about working in outdoor weather conditions and able to regularly sit, stand, walk, use hands, reach with arms, talk, and hear, and occasionally lift up to 10-25 pounds
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree preferred
Responsibilities
- Providing academic support to students through one one-on-one, small group, and push-in instruction
- Providing assistance, resources, and advice to support classroom faculty in meeting the needs of all learners, with special focus on early childhood students
- Facilitating communication between and among the student, family, teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals
- Proctoring standardized testing for students with testing accommodations
- Attending twice-yearly parent-teacher conferences and completing narrative reports for students on caseload
- Attending faculty workshop days, relevant all-school events, and all mandatory professional development
