Reports to:Director of Language, Literacy & Assistive Technology
Mission:
The Howard School empowers students with language-based learning differences by addressing individual needs and leveraging strengths to develop a lifelong understanding of and advocacy for their own learning process.
Position Overview:
The Howard School recognizes and celebrates learner passions and strengths, while also addressing their disabilities and weaknesses, and believes that learners are neither defined nor limited by labels. Ideal candidates have the attributes of flexibility, humor, collaboration, creativity, and passion.
Position Purpose:
This position is responsible for managing Assistive and Instructional Technology across the school, including student screening, record keeping, troubleshooting, and training of students, parents, and teachers. The AT/IT Specialist also leads small-group and classroom instruction emphasizing the incorporation of assistive technology tools for reading, writing, and note-taking.
Employee Characteristics
Ability to teach and delegate responsibility to students
Ability to work independently and efficiently, exercising reasonable judgment, in a fast-paced, multi-task environment with minimal supervision
Curious, creative, self-reflective, and willing to take initiative and run with new ideas
Ability to work effectively under pressure and demonstrate problem-solving skills, while maintaining courtesy, professionalism, and a customer service attitude
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with students, parents, co-workers, and business contacts in a courteous and professional manner
Essential Functions for Assistive Technology Specialist
Determine AT needs through screening and assessment
Assist in training students to use individualized assistive technology software programs
Conduct parent education sessions and one-on-one and/or group trainings for parents and faculty
Meet with parents to discuss assessments, demonstrate software, and explain the use of assistive technology for academic support
Support and/or lead small-group or whole-class lessons incorporating assistive technology (AT) for specific or general class instruction
Collaborate with teachers on incorporating assistive technology in their lesson planning
Design and deliver digital literacy content
Co-lead the AI Task Force and spearhead design and classroom implementation of custom platform with AI Specialist
Coordinate with technology department to ensure that AT software and hardware is available for students
Organize and keep up-to-date student assessment documents
Regularly check in with students for needs in regards to book downloads and software fluency
Update and maintain database lists and assist in managing communications from parents, students, and faculty
Remain current on software/hardware updates and upgrades
Identify useful instructional technology for classroom implementation
Attend conferences on AT/IT advancements and strategies for implementation
Other general functions as needed
Qualifications/Skills
Must be able to follow oral and written directions and have the ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and students.
Ability to maintain effective classroom management strategies
School experience with knowledge of LD student population
Masters degree preferred
Ability to read and implement instructional plans. Ability to correspond with parents and administration
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administration, parents, students, staff members, and the general public as requested
Familiarity with generative AI and its application to student work
Ability to interpret AT assessment results and the implications for individualized content delivery
Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts
Ability to solve practical problems
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
Ability to maintain effective relationships with students, parents, peers, and administration
Previous office or school experience preferred
Displays proficiency in all related computer applications, including email and Internet, and Google Drive/Docs
Must be highly organized, and able to communicate status of several ongoing projects at a moment’s notice
Must be able to lead training sessions (small and large) regarding specific software programs
Ability to maintain, organize, prioritize, and respond to a high volume of email
The Howard School is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The School is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, disability/handicap, genetic information, uniform service member status or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
The Howard School educates students with language-based learning disabilities and learning differences through instruction designed to complement and address each student’s individual needs, and to help each student understand and advocate for his or her own learning process. The curriculum focuses on depth of understanding to make learning meaningful and therefore, maximize educational success.