Details
Posted: 27-Apr-22
Location: Bend, Oregon
Type: Full Time
Salary: Depends on Experience
Categories:
Math
Reading
LEARNING SPECIALIST
2022-2023
About Cascades Academy
Cascades Academy is an independent PK-12 day school with ~235 students located in the beautiful mountain town of Bend, Oregon. The school was founded in 2003 and resides in award-winning facilities on a 53-acre campus located on the Deschutes River. The school’s unique mission weaves challenging academics with experiential learning within an engaged, vibrant community.
Cascades Academy values employees who are committed to our mission, are prepared to engage fully in a learning community, and are excited to bring their authentic selves to work. Cascades Academy’s culture is highly collaborative and puts what is best for students at the center of the work. Regularly named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon, our faculty and staff see each other as teammates and feel motivated to do their best work here.
Cascades Academy strives to cultivate and maintain a supportive, inclusive community for all employees and actively promotes a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and are eager to consider applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities.
Position Summary
The school is seeking a Full-Time Learning Specialist to join our middle and upper school counseling team for the 2022-23 school year. The Learning Specialist will be responsible for supporting students with diverse learning needs and providing appropriate instruction and intervention based on neuroscience research and educational best practices.
Essential Duties
- The Learning Specialist will work closely with the Director of Counseling, the Upper School Head, and the Middle School Head.
- Provide one-on-one and small-group support/instruction for students, both push-in and pull-out environments.
- Use multiple data to reflect on student strengths, needs, and progress to inform instructional decision making. Report regularly on student achievement and progress with faculty and parents.
- Write Cascades Academy student accommodation plans.
- Liaise with parents, teachers, and psychologists to review/update accommodation plans annually.
- Provide oversight to ensure that all students are receiving the accommodations as outlined in their plans.
- Support faculty members via resources, offering feedback, and coaching them in employing differentiated instructional methods to ensure curricular offerings meet the needs of variable learners. (Reading, writing, math, and executive functioning skills).
- Lead professional learning for faculty to provide tools for instruction and improve competency.
- Utilize technology to support student success as appropriate.
- Contribute to building a community that is open and inclusive of all learning styles.
Position Details
| Title | Learning Support Specialist |
| Reports to | Director of Counseling |
| Start Date | Aug 22, 2022 |
| Schedule | Full-Time |
| Compensation | Dependent on experience. |
| Benefits | Cascades Academy offers the following benefits to all employees with a .75 or higher position:
- Medical and vision insurance for the employee
- 403b retirement plan with 4% employer contribution
- Optional pre-tax flexible spending health and child care accounts
- Paid vacation time for some positions
- 10 paid sick days per year
- Professional development opportunities
- Free salad bar
- Free after school care for faculty/staff children who are current students
- Faculty and staff social opportunities
|
Application Instructions
To apply, please complete the application on our website, including your resume, cover letter, and at least 1 letter of recommendation. No phone calls, please.
It is the policy of Cascades Academy to provide equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental impairment, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other status protected by applicable law. Specifically, employment opportunities are and shall be open to all qualified applicants solely on the basis of their experience, aptitudes, abilities and training; advancement is and shall be based on the individual’s achievement, performance, ability, attitude and potential for promotion.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3-5 years experience
- Clean driving record and valid driver’s license
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Passion for supporting students with diverse learning needs
- Passion for teaching in a creative, integrated, and innovative way
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
- Strong relational skills and emotional intelligence
- Strong organizational skills
- Clear verbal and written communication skills
- Willingness to drive a 14-passenger bus
- Appreciation and respect for diversity in all of its forms
- Advocacy around inclusion
- Commitment to experiential learning, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning
- Desire to be an active member of a vibrant community of students, families, and staff
- Knowledge of common tech platforms used in education, such as Blackbaud, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, etc.
- Experience working with SPED population.
- Experience working with ELL population or willingness to learn associated skills.
- Integrity, sound judgment, self-confidence, collaborative spirit, and a sense of humor
Physical Requirements
- Requires mobility to traverse campus to accompany and assure the safety of children. This may include moving between buildings multiple times throughout the workday and bending, squatting, stooping, and kneeling.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to consistently and clearly communicate with children, colleagues, and families.