Position(s): Learning Specialist Grades, 4-6
Reports To: Chief Supports Officer/Director of Student Support Services
Compensation: Very competitive and commensurate with experience. A competitive benefits package and extensive professional development opportunities are also available.
Status: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
FLSA Status: Exempt
Join our Team!!
We are seeking a dedicated Learning Specialist to provide individualized as well as small group support to scholars in need of learning support. You will work closely with our students, teachers and parents to develop learning strategies that are tailored to each student’s particular learning styles in order to improve their understanding and overall academic progress and success.
To be successful as a Learning Specialist at Merrick, you will need to have a deep understanding of effective teaching methods for different learning styles and aptitude. The top candidate will have excellent listening and observational skills, as well as an empathetic mindset. (include statement about equity)
Overview
Merrick Academy is one of the first charter schools to open in New York City and the first to open (2000) in Queens. With a rich history and deep roots in the local community, Merrick Academy is an all-inclusive learning community serving over 500 students and families. Merrick Academy provides students with innovative avenues to connect, learn, and discover their greatness. Through our rigorous STEM-based program, we work toward the common purpose of providing an excellent education for all students, ensuring our students are college and career ready.
Key Responsibilities
IEP/504/Related Services
- Oversee and manage a caseload of special education students and the implementation of their IEP/504 plans in: inclusive, self-contained and pull-out settings.
- Facilitates IEP meetings using a strengths based and family centered approach.
- Coordinates with each student's special education team to ensure all documents are completed in a timely manner (according to state, local, and school policies and procedures) prior to (includes but not limited to) Initial/Annual/Tri Annual meetings and any other meetings.
- Connects with our special education team to ensure all team members (especially parents) are prepared for the content of the meeting.
- Coordinates with our special education team to complete quarterly IEP progress reports and provide quarterly IEP progress reports to parents/guardians.
- Maintains student files (paper and electronic) according to school and NYS standards.
- Analyze, summarize, and make accessible and constructive for teachers and families information regarding neuropsychological/psychoeducational evaluations, psychological evaluations, IEPs, and 504 Plans completed in consultation with the Director of Student Support Services, Social Worker and Guidance Counselor to ensure a student’s social-emotional and academic needs are communicated and supported appropriately.
- Implements the DSSS’ ILP (Individual Learning Plans) format to create and maintain ILPs for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 students.
Support to Families
- Effectively communicates to parents and guardians the special education process including process for referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations as well as parental rights granted by IDEA.
- Establishing and maintaining positive and effective communication with parents of students in the program.
- Facilitate workshops / meetings for parents, as well as identify resources for parents of students with special needs.
- Assist families with applying for testing accommodations related to middle school and other programming.
Support to Students
- Provide push-in/pull-out support based on the student’s IEP, in order to ensure that the student works on their specific IEP goals while learning and progressing at accelerated rates.
- Differentiate small group instruction for students who require special education support
- Providing SETSS or Academic Intervention Services for a targeted group of students.
- Write appropriate progress reports for all SETSS/AIS students.
- Track SETSS goals and attendance for all students receiving SETSS.
Support to Teachers
- Provides guidance to SPED teachers regarding strategies, accommodations, and modifications.
- Conducts and tracks behavior observations for students.
General Duties
- Identifying and developing appropriate curriculum and school based assessments to support the academic growth of students with IEPs/504 plans.
- As appropriate, connect with students outside providers, pediatricians, and therapists to support student’s needs in the classroom.
- Maintaining confidentiality of student records and student information.
- Ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations for all exams conducted at the School. This includes but is not limited to all teacher created tests, school generated interim assessments (Anet, etc.), and state exams.
- Ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations on all timed assignments that are either formative or summative and are graded.
Qualifications
- Masters Degree Preferred
- SpEd or ELL background and relevant experience leading teams/administrative work
- Background in education or relevant experience preferred
- Early childhood education background preferred
- Strong analytical skills
- Strong computer skills
- Strong knowledge and experience with student assessment, intervention, instruction and curriculum
- Eagerness to collaborate with peers and strong teamwork skills
- Growth mindset and an ability to use feedback to improve teaching practices
- Ability to present data in multiple formats (charts, reports, comparisons, trend analysis, etc.)
- Commitment and passion for teaching students from underserved communities and to closing the achievement gap
Compensation
Salary for this position is very competitive and commensurate with experience. Merrick offers a competitive benefits package and extensive professional development opportunities.
Americans with Disability Specifications
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
I acknowledge that:
I have read and understand the responsibilities and qualifications required to perform this job successfully. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by an individual in this position. This description implies that these are the only duties to be performed, and it is not an exhaustive list of all knowledge, skills, or abilities required. There may be additional duties as assigned. The employee must follow any job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.
This description excludes the marginal functions incident to the performance of this job’s fundamental duties. All essential job duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Merrick Academy to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizen status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), or any other protected class, and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Ability to Relocate:
- Queens, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person