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.
Live Oak School is a K-8 independent school, located in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill district. Founded in 1971, Live Oak serves approximately 426 children and families from a wide variety of San Francisco and Bay Area neighborhoods. The school’s mission is to support the potential and promise of each student. Live Oak provides a strong academic foundation, develops personal confidence and the ability to collaborate with others, inspires students to act with compassion and integrity, and nurtures a passion for learning to last a lifetime. Please see our website (www.liveoaskf.org) for more information.