Middle School Learning Specialist

Live Oak School supports the potential and promise of each student. We provide a strong academic foundation, foster skills to effect change, and develop courageous and conscientious learners from all backgrounds. We inspire students to advance equity and inclusion, to act with compassion and integrity, and to pursue a lifelong passion for learning.

The Middle School Learning Specialist strengthens the capacity of the school to promote a healthy and inclusive school climate. This role facilitates ongoing communication among students, staff, and families to ensure that support services and programs are integrated into the school community setting. The Middle School Learning Specialist will remain current on trends in learning services, including the latest educational research findings, and the Think:Kids approach to Collaborative Problem Solving. The role of the Middle School Learning Specialist is to promote student success through student wellness, social-emotional learning, and the Collaborative Problem Solving approach. 

The Middle School Learning Specialist guides the successful learning support practices of the Live Oak School program that promotes every student reaching their full potential and promise. 

Primary Responsibilities of the Middle School Learning Specialist

• Case Management and Referrals - Collaborate with the Director of Learning Services to make recommendations to families for outside evaluation and support, while also facilitating regular communication between students, families, and outside providers
• Faculty Collaboration and Training - Work with teachers and specialists to implement instructional techniques to reach all learners, differentiate learning practices, understand and implement learning profiles, and provide resources as necessary
  • Observation - Push into classrooms to support, observe, and give feedback for implementation of a balanced, responsive, and differentiated approach
• Teach 6th and 7th Grade (4 Sections Each, Once Per Cycle) Learning Lab Classes
• Screening and Assessment - Conduct student screenings using a variety of informal and formal assessment tools: provide regular feedback to teachers, parents, and students when appropriate
  • Interpretation - Interpret results of in-house screenings and assessments as well as reports prepared by outside professionals and communicate this information with teachers as appropriate
• Meetings - Participate in weekly Student Support Meeting, grade level and staff meetings, and meet regularly with the Director of Learning Services and Middle School Division Director
• Coordinate the Individual Student Support Program
• Coordinate curriculum for students in the program
  • Meet with a limited number of students
• Family Collaboration - Help families understand their child’s learning style, needed accommodations, and techniques that can be implemented in the home; provide resources as necessary
• Scheduling of Spaces for Outside Learning Specialists/Tutors - Share coordination of room assignments and schedules with the Director of Learning Services

Additional School-Wide Expectations

• Offer Brainery recess support times (in lieu of middle school recess/lunch duty)
• Supports Admissions Work 
  • Host tours and visitors, as well as participating in the Middle School Open House
  • Serve as a member of the kindergarten screening team and facilitating screening of applicants to the middle school grades 
• Co-lead a monthly meeting of mixed age group students (Grove)
• Chaperone one Middle School Evening Event
• Support students during one evening event, such as the Middle School Music Festival, middle school dance, or movie night
• Attend the MS Music Festival/MS Drama Productions/Art Show
• Participate in the outdoor ed/travel overnight education trip
• Write speeches for graduates and attend the Eighth Grade Reflections Ceremony (to be determined by previous experience with the graduating class)
• Participate in Camp Live Oak

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Master’s level degree preferred
• Experience working with students with learning challenges
• Learning Specialist/Educational Therapist is desired

The Middle School Learning Specialist is 100% full time and reports to the Director of Learning Services. The Middle School Learning Specialist works collaboratively with the Division Directors, the Learning Services team, the Middle School Deans, and the Middle School faculty.