Learning Specialist

Bishop Machebeuf High School prepares students to encounter Jesus Christ and to respond to His call. Steeped in the tradition of Catholic and Liberal Arts education, and inspired by the joy of the Gospel, we form students in a rigorous academic environment that integrates each student’s life, faith, and culture as they face the challenges of a contemporary, secular society. The school community reflects the universality of the Catholic Church and invites all students to become faithful disciples and citizens. Machebeuf students form a strong community through their desire to be disciples of Christ, their love for one another, and their participation in the life of the school and Church.

 

Job Title:

The Learning Specialist at Bishop Machebeuf High School supports the overall mission of the Student Service Center to help students discover and understand the will of God in their lives and to pursue the mission God has entrusted to them. The specialist works with students and families to overcome obstacles to learning by assessing academic needs and designing/implementing individual success plans. The specialist serves specifically in the critical roles of assessing documentation for learning disabilities and creating specific learning plans; planning and coordinating tutorial services; tracking academic performance for all students; identifying students with below-minimum academic performance and managing the processes for academic probation/suspension/dismissal; other duties as assigned by the principal.  The specialist effectively coordinates communication between students, parents, families, faculty, and staff.

 

Expectations and Responsibilities:

·       Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of Bishop Machebeuf High School;

·       Acts as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church;

·       Supports and adheres to the policies and procedures of the Archdiocese of Denver;

·       Meets staff development guidelines as set forth by the AOD and local administration;

·       Demonstrates professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits;

·       Maintains a work schedule that maximizes availability to the school, students, and staff.

·       Maintains currency in current practices in learning accommodations.

 

The following is illustrative, but not exhaustive of the scope of responsibilities of the Learning Specialist:

 

Primary:

 

1.     Interpreting psychological and medical evaluations of learning disabilities;

2.     Administering needed appropriate assessments and updating as necessary;

3.     Creating, implementing, and annually updating specific learning plans for students with documented disabilities;

4.     Meeting with teachers and families to explain specific learning plans;

5.     Providing accommodations provided in the Student Service Center;

6.     Training and advising teachers in the provision of accommodations;

7.     Coordinating the hiring and training of tutors;

8.     Scheduling tutorial services for all students;

9.     Tracking academic performance for all students;

10.  Identifying students with lower academic performance indicators;

11.  Creating success plans for students with lower academic performance indicators;

12.  Identifying students with below-minimum academic performance and proactively communicating with students and families regarding plans for improvement;

13.  Managing the processes for academic probation/suspension/dismissal in cooperation with the Academic Committee.

14.  Collaborating with BMHS administrators to communicate students’ academic status to parents and guardians.

Secondary:

1.     Collaborating with the Director of Enrollment to assess the needs of student applicants prior to their admission to Machebeuf.

2.     Planning and implementing credit recovery for students who have failed required courses in cooperation with the student service center team.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

 

•   Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn the basic teachings of the Catholic Church;

•   Strong communication skills, both oral and written;

•   Master’s degree in Special Education or a related field;

•   2 years’ experience working with adolescent students as a teacher/counselor/coach/ minister, preferably in a high school setting;

•   Knowledge of special education laws including the IDEA Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act;

•   Knowledge of learning disabilities;

•   VIRTUS and other required AOD or BMHS professional development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual, English/Spanish in speaking, listening, writing, reading.

• Experience with student populations with diverse academic needs and cultural backgrounds.