Calvary Lower School Learning Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Our mission at Calvary Day School is to provide a Christ-centered educational experience for students Birth – 12th grade through the development of the total student- spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. Our vision is to cultivate in our students a lifelong passion to learn, lead, and serve through Christ-centered college-preparatory educational excellence.

Calvary Day School offers a full menu of benefits including medical, dental, and vision benefits, 403(b) match, generous time off, and daily lunch on regular working days.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties employees perform in this position. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job.

Embrace Christ-Centered Values:

Integrate Christian principles into daily lessons, exemplifying Christ's teachings.

Foster a classroom environment rooted in faith, love, and biblical principles.

Pursue Excellence:

Dedicate yourself to academic rigor, preparing students for both college and life.

Uphold the highest standards of integrity, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Nurture Development:

Recognize and develop each student's unique spiritual, academic, social, and physical gifts.

Create a learning environment that encourages growth and exploration.

Model Servant Leadership:

Teach and exemplify servant leadership principles to students, staff, and families.

Provide opportunities for service and witnessing, instilling a sense of responsibility and humility.

Cultivate Relationships:

Foster a culture of empathy, fellowship, and respect among students, staff, and parents.

Prioritize healthy, meaningful relationships as the foundation of spiritual growth and discipleship.

Radiate Joy:

Infuse joy into the learning environment through gratitude, smiles, and laughter.

Celebrate character and achievements, choosing joy daily as a testament to God's blessings.

If you are passionate about shaping young minds in a Christ-centered, excellence-driven, and joyful community, we invite you to apply for this rewarding teaching opportunity at Calvary Day School.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Actively integrate faith and learning in the classroom consistently seizing on learning opportunities and “teaching moments.”

Demonstrates the ability to utilize one pedagogy with the knowledge to introduce others to enhance the learning experience based on student abilities and subject matter.

Builds strong relationships across all constituencies and is cited by parents, students, and co-workers for effectiveness and willingness to mentor others and be mentored.

Manages the classroom beyond minimum performance standards with a focus on going beyond the basics and seeking new ways to improve the classroom experience.

Demonstrates mastery of subject matter and offers advice and guidance on how to improve curriculum.

Actively participate in multiple school functions and willing to serve as a leader embodying Calvary Day School values.

Learning Support Services brings under one umbrella the many ways Calvary works to ensure we are effectively and consistently supporting students in grades K-12. The program goal is to assist students with learning differences in becoming independent learners while successfully meeting the demands of Calvary’s academic standard of excellence.

The Learning Support Specialist will be responsible for collaborating with faculty, parents, and students in the development of skills and strategies to align with the CDS standards and curriculum.

Building positive relationships with students and faculty is essential to having a positive influence on the instructional practices of faculty, as well as the academic outcomes for students and their experience at CDS. Assisting in the identification of student academic and learning needs collaboratively with faculty support inside and outside of classroom instruction with a focus on executive functioning skills is an essential part of the role of the Learning Support Specialist.

The Learning Support Specialist works to provide specific strategies, support, and approved accommodations for students with academic needs on the basis of diagnosed medical, psychological, or learning disabilities and children with identified learning gaps. While working inside the classroom, or in small instructional groups with students is an expected job requirement, it is important for the Learning Support Specialist to work in conjunction with parents and teachers to communicate the daily/weekly concerns and strategies for all students.

Additionally, this role seeks to provide innovative methods to develop pedagogical approaches for classroom teachers through relational collaboration and partnerships with faculty, students, and families. The Learning Support Specialist is a vital component in preparing students at CDS to be self-advocates in preparation for their next step toward higher education.

In addition, to supporting students, the learning support team provides ongoing support and professional development for all faculty K-12 in the areas of understanding and instructing students with diverse learning needs.

Calvary’s Learning Support program focuses on the development of executive skills. Some of these skills include:

• Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy.
• Organization.
• Time Management.
• Planning/Agenda Use.
• Prioritizing.
• Study Strategies.
• Accommodations Use.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The tasks, duties, and responsibilities of this job include, but are not limited to:
• Build relationships with students and families to engage progress of development as aligned with the Calvary mission.
• Collaborate with teachers to improve communication and delivery of services in and out of the classroom.
• Provide guidance and instruction for use of strategies for improved performance.
• Monitor student work, progress, and schedule.
• Review weekly grade reports for progress monitoring and support referrals.
• Communicate student needs and observations with advisers, teachers, and families.
• Provide student accommodation plans to teachers and advisers.
• Monitor the implementation of accommodations, and update plans.
• Communicate with teachers, advisers, and parents regarding student needs and progress.
• Schedule and provide testing accommodations as it pertains to small-group testing.
• Collect diagnostic documentation and recommendations.
• Communicate student needs/plans and clearance with teachers, advisers, and extracurriculars as needed.
• Develop a work completion program for students with extended absences.
• Monitor attendance of identified students, and schedule regular meetings/tutorial schedules.
• Develop a work completion plan with the student, and follow up on the completion.
• Communicate with the student, teachers, and adviser regarding the work plan.
• Model best practices for differentiation and interventional strategies.
• Deal with problems using effective problem-solving techniques.
  
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Head of Lower, Middle, and Upper School.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, this individual must be highly relational and able to perform each essential duty with excellence.

• A bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is required, Masters Degree in a related field is preferred.
• Five (5) years of teaching experience, is preferred.
  
• Effective interpersonal and leadership skills; experience collaborating with and facilitating communication between divergent groups and in group decision-making.
  
• Effective communication skills (speaking and writing).
  
• Knowledge of strategies for curriculum accessibility
  
• Ability to connect well with students while maintaining clear accountability for CDS standards.
  
• Ability to communicate with students, parents, faculty, and staff in a timely and professional manner.

Calvary Day School stands against racial, gender, and ethnic discrimination and affirms the intrinsic worth of every person because the Bible teaches that every individual is made in the image of God. While the ministerial exception doctrine provides an exemption from federal employment discrimination laws in hiring and retention, Calvary Day School hires faculty and staff based on the above requirements and follows procedures and policies to prevent and deal with employment discrimination. Calvary Day School leverages the oversight of the board of advisors and the Calvary Baptist Temple Elder Board to ensure good policies and practices are followed by School Administration.

We value and honor our talented faculty and staff who meet the job qualifications and desire to share their faith and belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We look forward to leading the way in valuing and honoring individuals of every race, gender, and ethnicity.