Description

The Learning Resource Teacher provides specialized support to students with diverse learning needs. In addition to fulfilling faculty responsibilities, the Learning Resource Teacher provides a safe environment that helps the students grow and reach their full potential (academic and social-emotional needs).

Requirements

The requirements for the position of the Learning Specialist are as follows: 

• The teacher shall be one who has received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who seeks to live all of life under His Lordship.
• He/she shall be a person of spiritual maturity with academic and leadership abilities that will enable him/her to teach all truth as God’s truth.
• A demonstrated heart for the Mission of Christian Heritage Academy and the advancement and development of Christian education along with a clear understanding of biblical integration across all subject areas and a passion for implementing it in an educational setting.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Education from an accredited college or university, preferably with a major or concentration in special education or related field. 
• Hold a Professional Educator License with an endorsement for Special Education, Reading Specialist or Learning Behavior Specialist.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in serving students with learning needs.
• Strong communications skills, with the ability to adapt to different learning styles.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain a courteous and respectful attitude in all situations.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and strict deadlines.
• Maintain discretion and absolute confidentiality.
• The ability and desire to work in a team-oriented environment in a supportive, transparent and solution-driven fashion.
• Familiar with programs such as, but not exclusive to, AimsWeb, CBM’s, Fontas and Pinnell, Dibels, etc.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office programs, and experience in a school data information system.

Learning Resource Teacher Specific Responsibilities

• Become acquainted with current students with learning needs.  
• Collaborate with teachers to conduct screening and remediation. Provide small group or individual instruction (push-in or pull-out) in supplementing or remediating classroom instruction. Consult with teachers to accommodate and/or modify instruction as needed.
• Meet with faculty, parents and possibly other tutors and specialists involved with supporting these students.  Document these conferences.  Establish ongoing communications between families, students and teachers.
• Counsel with parents of students with learning needs to build a partnership between home and school when more remedial support is needed.
• Create learning resources for both inside and outside the classroom.
• Monitor progress and create benchmarks and/or goals for students.  Create quarterly progress reports for students.
• Attend weekly Resource Team meetings to discuss and update on students and their learning needs.
• Attend eligibility, evaluation, and staffing meetings held for students either by the local school district or a private evaluator (at parents’ request or with parent permission).
• Become acquainted with students on medication and discuss their status with their teachers.
• Review the list of students we are monitoring and consult with their teachers to see how they are progressing.  Document these consultations.  
• Communicate additional student concerns with teachers.  Observe these students in the classroom; consult with the teachers and the Principal, then conference with parents if necessary to discuss support, possible assessment, modifications and progress.
• Be available to consult with Admissions about any applicants that could require learning assistance and/or assessment.
• Conduct personal research to keep up to date on programs and methods for remediating learning differences, assessment advances for progress monitoring and identification of difficulties, and advances in the area of technology and learning.
• Participate as part of the Student Service Team meetings when student needs arise or prior to parent meetings.
• Monitor student progress through the student information system to track grades, assignments and attendance for LR students. 
• Seek professional development opportunities to further develop expertise in the field of special education.
• Fulfill the responsibilities listed in the Faculty Job Description.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principals and Head of School.

Lower School Learning Resource Teacher Responsibilities

• Oversee any speech and OT needs and services provided by the local school district or provided by outside services held within the school building.
• Schedule and provide accommodations for students needing accommodations during the April Iowa and CogAT assessments for grades 3-5.

Middle and Upper School Learning Resource Teacher Responsibilities

• Request and maintain test accommodations with ACT (TAA) and College Board (SSD).
• Schedule and provide accommodations for students needing accommodations during the April Iowa, 8/9 PSAT, PSAT, SAT, and CogAT assessments for grades 6th and 7th.
• Write and maintain Student Service Plans; provide parents an opportunity for an annual review.
• Review files of incoming students with special needs during the summer; promptly prepare new SSPs and request College Board accommodations for PSAT.
• Monitor MS/US students failing two or more courses and report to the Student Service Team.
• Coordinate accommodations and modifications for final exams, PSAT, SAT, and any other major assessments.
• Proctor assessments for students who require accommodations/modifications, such as extra time.