The Learning Specialist will report directly to the Director of R.I.S.E. and work closely with faculty and the administrative team in both divisions. The Learning Specialist supports all students with learning strategies and executive functioning skills, provides individual instruction as appropriate, and serves as a resource for faculty. The Learning Specialist collaborates with the leadership team to develop an effective learning support framework for the school.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A commitment to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart network schools as articulated in the school mission.
• Works with students and faculty to develop strategies that promote student achievement.
• Establish positive relationships among students, faculty, parents, counselors, and others to foster collaboration.
• Report regularly on student achievement progress to the classroom faculty.
• Read and summarize the faculty psychoeducational evaluations as necessary.
• Assist with writing Student Accommodation Plans (SAPs), targeting students' specific curricular/learning needs.
• Integrate and reinforce the classroom curriculum into student support.
• Analyze data regarding students' placement and accommodations.
• Collaborate with the Upper School teachers to analyze and interpret standardized testing results to inform instruction.
• Work with the Heads of Schools and the Admissions Director to establish criteria for students with learning needs when applying to the school.
• Develop and maintain communication and documentation protocols related to learning support.
• Coordinates specialized clinical support.
• Serve on school committees as assigned.
• Work 11 months and outside of regular school hours.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Support of Faculty:

• Provide instructional strategies for faculty to support students in the classroom.
• Helps faculty and other staff identify at-risk students who would benefit from additional support.
• Collaborate with the Student Support Services team.
• Meet with the Dean of Teaching and Learning to plan and conduct professional development for the faculty that includes best-practice strategies, including classroom modeling.
• Support faculty by offering resources, assistance, advice, and training to enable faculty to meet all learners' needs effectively. 
• Assume an active role in all grade-level meetings, Grades 7-12.

Support of Students:

• Helps students develop learning preferences for more effective studying.
• Progress monitoring with all students on academic probation or conditional acceptance.
• Establish a plan to support students with executive functioning challenges.
• Utilizes effective support to help students learn strategies for their learning needs.
• Administer regular assessments of student achievement and progress.
• Work collaboratively in a math lab and a writing lab.
• Assist with placing students in specific classes
• Coordinate testing of students by outside specialists.
• Coordinate the use of external tutors and learning specialists.

Support of Parents:

• Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences to discuss students' progress with parents if required.
• Meet with individual parents as needed to discuss their children's progress.
• Counsel families on learning support and accommodations.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will possess most of the qualifications listed below.

• A bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least four years of experience as a learning specialist or in a related role.
• Independent school experience preferred.
• Familiarity with the legal responsibilities of independent schools related to IEP and 504 plans.

• Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, administration, and parents.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Positive attitude, flexible approach, and a sense of humor.
• Intercultural competency with a deep respect for social justice, inclusion, and diversity as articulated in the Goals and Criteria.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member as well as independently.

About Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart

Since 1800, when St. Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in France, Religious of the Society of the Sacred Heart and lay Sacred Heart educators have carried out her imperative of educational excellence. Today, the Network of Sacred Heart schools is an association of 25 Catholic schools across the United States and Canada and nearly 150 schools internationally. Independent yet united in spirit and purpose, the international community of Schools of the Sacred Heart believes in educating the whole child and preparing her to live fully and wisely. At the core of the Sacred Heart education, the Goals and Criteria are the principles that express the intentions and hopes of our 200-year tradition.

Connections working at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart