Learning Support Specialist

Description

Job Title: Learning Support Specialist

Department: Academics

FTE/ Benefits Status: Full-time

Supervisor: Division Director and Director of Learning Support

J1 Visa eligibility: Not Eligible

International School of Denver (ISDenver) is an independent school that teaches the curricula and fulfills the highest educational standards of the United States, China, France, and Spain to prepare its students to thrive in a diverse and competitive global society. ISDenver is a prestigious International Baccalaureate World School offering immersion bilingual international education from PreK-High School, and is accredited by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) and participating governments. To learn more about ISDenver, please visit our website.

Staff and Faculty members are the cornerstone of our school. In addition to driving the school's operations, they must also embody the school's values and believe in the school's mission:

ISDenver Values: Diversity, Integrity, Compassion, Responsibility, Perseverance

ISDenver Mission: Our inclusive, globally minded community develops highly motivated and academically successful bilingual learners who are inter-culturally adept and make positive contributions in a complex world.

Position Summary: This role functions as an important support for students in their subject learning, supplementing the classroom learning and supplying direct support to students.

Duties & Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people of color and people who do not identify as cisgender men are less likely to apply to jobs unless their experience specifically matches the qualifications. At ISDenver we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the candidate we are looking for!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that students with learning differences are identified effectively through appropriate diagnostic and formative assessment and observation procedures and are referred for support according to the ISD System of Referral.

• Plan and follow appropriate programs of intervention for individuals and groups of students as determined by their learning needs and differences. Note that student support teachers may be assigned across grades or divisions depending on student caseload needs, as determined by the Director of Learning Support, and as such, should be flexible.
• Establish coherent partnerships with students' teacher(s), acting in an advisory capacity as appropriate so that they feel supported when implementing the program of support.
• Coordinate and develop Individual Student Plans for students in conjunction with class/subject teachers and parents and students as appropriate.
• Initiate and participate in Learning Support Team meetings to discuss individual students and their needs.
• Monitor and evaluate progress toward goals, write progress reports, maintain and update the Learning Support registers.
• Facilitate and promote positive relations between home and school.
• Liaise closely with other members of Student Support Services.
• Liaise regularly with the Division Director and Learning Support Director to ensure sharing of relevant information and work collaboratively as necessary in direct intervention with students.
• Liaise with outside agencies as necessary.
• Share in the overall responsibility for the academic progress, personal development, health and safety, discipline and well-being of all students
• Any other reasonable duties, as directed by the school administration.
• Well versed in best practices and methodologies for assisting students with learning differences.
• Experience in providing the highest quality literacy and math interventions.
• Knowledgeable regarding the developmental needs of students with learning differences.
• Working knowledge of language immersion programming.
• Willingness to learn specifics about the national curriculum systems and pedagogical approaches of the French, Spanish and Chinese programs and how this may impact students with learning differences.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Personal Characteristics we are looking for:

We are looking for people who support our mission and values and want to join us in creating a nurturing, supportive, and caring environment for our students. We take great pride in how much our students love to be at our school and with our staff; a true desire to create an environment where our students are known and cared for is imperative for any candidate. Being kind, compassionate, and open-minded and having a team-first mentality are characteristics integral for anyone joining our community.

• Computer literate specifically in Google suites of products.
• Excellent writing, speaking, personal interaction, and customer service skills.
• Ability to implement principles and practices records management and general administration.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Deadline- and detail-oriented in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Able to prioritize and complete tasks in a timely fashion.
• A positive and collaborative team player.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• A life-long learner who enhances his/her skills, using state-of-the-art technologies to maintain high standards of performance.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including but not limited to, computers, telephone systems, scanners, copiers and facsimile machines.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Fluent in English and other languages(s), preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in special education; Master's degree preferred
• Two years experience in teaching special education, providing support in the areas of English literacy and mathematics; five years experience preferred
• English proficiency with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• • Level B2 required, C1+ preferred (based on Common European Framework of References for Languages) or equivalent certification such as TOEFL or IETLS
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
• Eagerness to engage with co-curricular, extra-curricular, school community, and PTO activities that promote the school's programs and reputation
• Professionalism, punctuality, reliability, and an ability to exercise sound judgment and analytical and problem solving skills
• Technological and computer competency (Google Suite, database management, etc.)
• Ability to work well independently or as part of a team, and provide direction to others when needed
• Ability to demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills and to exercise sound judgment
• Eagerness to engage with co-curricular, extra-curricular, school community, and PTO activities that promote the school's programs and reputation
• Experience with or commitment to learning the International Baccalaureate Programme and commitment to delivering the ISDenver curriculum
• Collaborative, team-oriented, globally- and open-minded, innovative, and compassionate
• Commitment to learning about and implementing DEIB practices in the classroom and school community
• Lived experience in multicultural settings, including international work experience, and an appreciation and respect for all cultures

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to handle; reach with hands and arms and see, talk and hear
• Exposure to natural elements such as heat and cold
• The employee may occasionally be required to bend, stoop or kneel

Visual & Environmental Demands:

• Required to use digital displays (e.g., computers, projectors, tablets, monitors) for ~6-8 hours per work day to perform [tasks like planning, grading, or communication].
• Ability to work in environments with standard overhead lighting, including fluorescent or LED fixtures.
• Ability to function effectively in environments with moderate to high noise levels (e.g., classrooms, musical performances, lunchroom(s), crowded hallways).

Cognitive & Executive Demands:

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and pivot between tasks as needed.
• Ability to process and follow complex, multi-step instructions provided in both verbal and written formats.
• Capacity to maintain professional boundaries and engage in regular 1:1 or group interactions with students, staff, and the public.

Location and Schedule: Expected work hours are approximately 7:45-3:45, M-F. This job does not have remote flexibility.

Benefits (please see ISDenver benefits summary information here):

• Generous Time Off:
• • Paid leave for all full-time staff: Thanksgiving break (3 days), winter break (2 weeks), 4th of july week (1 week)
  • Faculty: summer break (~ 2 months), October, February, and April breaks (1 week each), 6 days FTO (prorated for part-time positions)
  • Year Round Administrative staff: FTO accrued starting first day of work, 20 days FTO/year as base FTO
  • FTO encompasses most time off such as sick, personal, and vacation time
• Cigna Medical, Dental and Vision insurance with significant school contribution to Medical and Dental
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• Supplemental insurance available through Colonial
• Employer contribution to 401k regardless of employee participation
• Partial tuition remission and discounted co-curricular clubs for children enrolled at ISDenver
• Discounted summer and break camps for children of full-time staff (ISDenver enrollment not required)
• J-1 visa sponsorship
• Relocation allowance
• Free daily lunch
• Professional Development opportunities
• Staff appreciation and cultural celebration events
• ...and more!

Interviews: Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted directly. Interviews may be conducted in person, by telephone or via video conferencing. Only applicants to be invited for an interview will be contacted; no phone calls or emails, please. ISDenver does not consider nor save information sent for non-posted positions.

Notes:

• Job descriptions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
• All employees are required to undergo, at minimum, a Colorado Department of Human Services required background check prior to employment. Certain positions may require more extensive background checks.
• All job descriptions are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to meet the evolving needs of the organization
• Racism, misogyny, classism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia do not represent the values of ISDenver and will not be tolerated.

ISDenver celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse community. People of color, LGBTQIA+ candidates, and people from other historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. ISDenver is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.