Junior School Learning Specialist (1 Year Leave Replacement)
Union Position-Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreement
Learning at UNIS is guided by the UNIS Mission and Guiding Principles, and is defined in the UNIS Teaching and Learning Policy. All academic job descriptions at UNIS are interpreted in the context of these standards.
Under the auspices of the United Nations and guided by its ideals, the United Nations International School (UNIS) provides an inclusive and diverse learning environment in which rigorous international programs foster academic excellence, innovation, creativity, and cross-cultural communication to educate and inspire its students to become an active force in shaping a better world: peaceful, compassionate and sustainable.
Position Purpose:
The United Nations International School (UNIS) is seeking individuals with extensive teaching experience to fill the role of Learning Support Specialist in the Junior School Section. This individual will collaborate closely with faculty members and the Student Support Team to provide the most aligned supports for students needing both Tier 2 (push-in) and Tier 3 (pull-out) intervention. This dedicated Learning Specialist support teacher should have the expertise and understanding of a wide range of learning differences (including executive function, reading, writing, processing and memory issues), they he or she should also have a strong background in Math and in learning profiles, and learning differences and in this subject area so that they he or she can provide direct support to children and teachers. The Learning Support Specialist should be open and reflective, team oriented, passionate, and interested in supporting UNIS students learning across the age spectrum in Junior School. This individual will play a vital role in ensuring students that are flagged to the Student Support Team receives the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally. This role reports to the Junior School Principal
Responsibilities:
- Working with Students:
- Provide direct student remediation or extension through small group and one-to-one instruction within the classroom and outside of the classroom, as needed throughout the school year.
- Assess students who are receiving direct services from the Learning Support Specialist in order to modify instructional approach and to document progress
- Work closely with the faculty, counsellor and principal to provide academic support to student
- Read and interpret psycho-educational assessments to create and maintain the student learning plans of all identified students
- Work closely with faculty to help determine viable learning strategies for identified students
- Assist with the provision of assessment accommodations
- Participate in co-teaching of classes, including unit planning and teaching
- Provide opportunities for success in the classroom by fostering the development of learning skills and by promoting positive interactions
- Support the implementation of outlined accommodations and instructional needs to allow students to develop effective academic learning skills
- Collaborate with Learning Strategist in the Junior, Middle and Senior school divisions to share strategies, plans and to ensure continuity of support
- Communicate with parents regarding the strategies used to support their child, including the arrangement of parent meetings and faculty roundtables.
- Create and implement Intervention Plans, Individual Learning Plans, Targeted Group Intervention Plans for students requiring support in Literacy and Math
- Perform supervision duties as assigned
Working With Faculty
- Serve as a resource to faculty about their students who are experiencing difficulties with their academic work and support teachers in understanding how to best serve children who are experiencing difficulties with their academic work.
- Collaborate and co-plan with teachers to develop effective small group interventions, and individualized learning activities.
- Support teachers in differentiating plans for students based on their unique learning profiles so that all students are making progress.
- Responsible for ongoing check-ins with teachers to assess and monitor classroom accommodations for students in order to document progress and modify and evaluate.
- Maintain and update a complete record of educational evaluations for all Junior School students with special needs, summarizing and explaining these evaluations to faculty, and working with parents to understand how the school can implement necessary accommodations.
- Review assessment data from classroom common assessments, MAP testing, Ixl Diagnostic and any other screener that may be used.
Working With Parents
- Bring parents’ concerns to the principal, referral team and/or faculty. Refer them to the appropriate person at UNIS.
- Facilitate finding outside support if necessary for the student and offer possible sources, such as the NYC Department of Education.
- Help parents to better understand their child's learning concerns and the ways UNIS interfaces with the student’s learning style.
- Explain what recommendations UNIS can accommodate.
- Help parents to find alternative schools that might be appropriate for their child when a parent or UNIS determines that UNIS is not the appropriate school for a student.
Working with the referral team
- Carrying out diagnostic evaluations for students whom teachers and/or principals think may have learning issues or skills deficits with the referral team by:
- Speaking to teachers, principal, assistant principal, other members of the support team
- Observing students in the class or outside the class
- Looking at samples of students’ work; reading student reports
- Meeting with students for a short series of diagnostic assessment sessions
- Writing short diagnostic notes and recommendations
- Collaborating with the support team to make appropriate referrals for student support, including outside support, if necessary, evaluations, and meetings with teachers and parents.
- Assisting in the counseling-out process when asked.
Regular Meetings
- Weekly meetings about students with Junior School referral team
- Weekly faculty meetings
- Weekly meeting with Learning Support Team
Professional Requirements
- Preferred: MSEd, MEd, MA, or equivalent degree with Special Education Qualifications; relevant experience considered.
- Written and Oral Communication Skills: Superior interpersonal skills, patience and sense of humor required. The Learning Success Specialist must be comfortable engaging with students, parents, faculty and administrators.
- Knowledge of Common Core Standards
- Experience: Three to five years relevant experience required.
- Specialization in Mathematics or experience in teaching mathematics for students with learning differences in Junior preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
- Must be able to navigate a variety of settings as needed.
Annual Salary in the range of $66,093 to $109,243 (salary is prorated for part-time or temporary positions).
Application
All candidates must submit an electronic application via the school website: https://www.unis.org/about-unis/employment. Supporting documentation, such as a cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation, must be uploaded to the electronic application. Paper and emailed applications and documents will not be accepted from external candidates.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing.
In accordance with the guidelines of the International Taskforce on Child Protection, The United Nations International School adheres to a rigorous standard of recruitment practices and background checks, emphasizing the protection, safety and welfare of our students.
The United Nations International School is committed to equal employment opportunities for all individuals. The school will make all employment decisions for employees and applicants without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, pregnancy, age, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity and expression, creed, genetic predisposition, victim of domestic violence or any other basis protected by law. EEOC/ADA