Job Description

Isidore Newman School, founded in 1903, is a nationally recognized, Pre-k through twelve, college preparatory, day school with over 900 students. Located in Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana on an eleven acre campus, Newman enjoys a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Upon graduation Newman students matriculate to selective colleges and universities around the country. Students, teachers, and coaches at Newman believe strongly in the School and work collaboratively, always striving for excellence in a challenging and supportive academic environment. Across the school and across constituencies there is a focus on building strong relationships and delivering rigorous programs. The core values of the School -honesty, kindness, respect, and responsibility - are visibly integrated into every aspect of school life. A community of high achieving and motivated students and teachers focused on intellectual inquiry and engagement, Newman is committed to best practice in elementary and secondary education. A leading and forward-thinking independent school, Newman is deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation.

Isidore Newman School seeks a talented learning specialist for the 2018-2019 academic year. The learning specialist is a member of the Student Support Department, a cross-divisional department that includes other learning specialists, counselors, a school nurse, and athletic trainers. The mission of Student Support at Isidore Newman is to identify and reduce barriers to learning, within a framework that emphasizes personalization as a means of supporting students' working to their highest potential. The learning specialists at Newman focus on building intrinsic motivation for learning and the amelioration of learning difficulties. The ultimate goal is to empower all students at Newman to take charge of their own education. The learning specialist reports to the head of the Student Support Department and the division head.

PURPOSE:

The learning specialist is responsible for developing and supervising individual academic accommodation plans with emphasis on increasing a student's understanding of and advocacy for his or her learning challenges. Working closely with the faculty, administration, and other members of the Student Support Department, the learning specialist serves as an advocate and liaison for the students and their families, as well as outside clinicians. The learning specialist assists teachers in working with students with different learning needs and provides a student-centered environment in the Academic Resource Lab in support of Newman's rigorous academic program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Foster and maintain strong relationships and collaborative communication with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.

Understand competing responsibilities to uphold confidentiality in relation to private materials and conversations while providing colleagues and families with the information they need to help the student.

Review psycho-educational assessments and generate appropriate academic accommodation plans.

Act as SSD Coordinator, leading the application process for accommodations with the College Board and/or ACT and administering school-based accommodations as necessary throughout the year.

COLLABORATE WITH:

All students with documented learning disabilities both individually and in small groups in order for them to develop learning strategies for academic success

Faculty to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of ARL services

School counselors when students and families are dealing with mental health challenges or confirmed mental health diagnoses

The Chairperson of Student Support Department and learning specialists in other divisions to ensure the ARL program meets the needs of students with learning disabilities across grade levels

Faculty and administration to prepare students and families for transitions between divisions

Admissions committees to evaluate prospective students for good fit in Newman's academic environment.

Outside professionals regarding research and best practices in the education of students with diagnosed learning disabilities and differences in learning styles.

MAINTAIN:

Documentation that meets College Board requirements and work with families to advocate for accommodations on standardized tests when appropriate.

A current referral list and provide referrals for diagnostic testing resources and community support services for families.

A current list of academic (subject matter) tutors, organizational/homework tutors, and other tutoring specialists and provide referrals when needed.

PROVIDE:

Out-of-classroom, extended-time accommodations for major assessments when necessary

Observation of students and consultation to faculty members when they express concern about potential student learning problems

Training for faculty and staff as necessary

Other division-specific ARL services to students, faculty, and parents as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualified applicants will have expertise in the area of learning disabilities and knowledge of how to work with a wide range of different learners in grades 6-12. Demonstrated patience and perseverance in working with students, parents, faculty, and staff as well as a highly collaborative professional style are essential. Applicants should have proven record keeping skills; experience skillfully interpreting results of IQ, achievement, and diagnostic tests; knowledge of legal standards in compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations; and current knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (version 5).

JOB POSTED BY APPLICANTPRO