K8 SPED Learning Specialist

Position Type:
Student Support Services

Date Posted:
12/20/2024

Location:
PRA K-8 Building
Prospect Ridge Academy
Creating Academic, Social, and Ethical Leaders

Special Education/Learning Specialist Job Description
The K8 SPED Learning Specialist is responsible for the education of each pupil in his or her charge. They will plan and implement appropriate instruction for students identified as needing additional support, prepare and conduct IEP meetings, and develop and manage Individual Education Plans (IEP).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct an organized and professional classroom and demonstrate exceptional instructional delivery.
• Model and foster independent thinking skills, creative problem solving and abstract reasoning.
• Show empathy and understanding of students.
• Communicate consistently and effectively with students, parents and colleagues.
• Develop a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and objectivity with parents and students.
• Assist teachers in identifying students needing targeted specialized instruction.
• Assess student's performance frequently and objectively.
• Facilitate resolution of problems that might arise with students/parents.
• Promote accountability in students.
• Participate in RtI progress monitoring meetings with instructional staff.
• Update and review student progress paperwork (IEP) in compliance with State and Federal Laws.
• Manage and input assessment data and analyze the data to determine the students needs based on multiple data points.
• Provide professional development for staff on best practices.
• Manage Special Education Department curriculum needs, supplies, and budget with the Special Education team.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide feedback to teachers to ensure accommodations and modifications are in place for students on IEPs.
• Knowledge of and adherence to approved communication pathways.
• Actively pursue professional development opportunities.
• Participate in and contribute to programs and activities that enhance Prospect Ridge Academy outside of instructional hours.
• Follow policies established by the Prospect Ridge Academy Board of Directors, Adams 12 School District, and Colorado State mandated school guidelines, except where PRA has received waivers.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

K-12 Responsibilities

As full-time, salaried employees, you are expected to contribute to our organization's success outside of the school day. This may include:

• Sponsoring a Club or Coaching a Team (both may include a stipend)
• Serving on Committees or Task Forces (minimum once a month)

Your involvement enhances our community and supports our mission, making it vital to our collective success.

Education and Related Work Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master's in Special Education preferred.
• Current Colorado Teaching License.
• Must meet the state certification requirements within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• Demonstrated experience in the instruction of students with varied learning styles and levels of mastery.
• Commitment to Core Knowledge curriculum.
• Commitment to implementation of Character Education and Positive Behavior System.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate with parents, students, staff, Administrators and school visitors.
• Read, write and interpret documents such as rules, policy and expectation, agreements, rubrics, scope and sequence documents, and assessments.
• Understand and carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various groups.
• Expert-level written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills while working with a diverse population.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and to be self motivated.
• Ability to use sound judgment as determined by the specific situation.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Vision abilities required include, close vision, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to focus.
• Provide backup assistance and coverage for other areas.
• Work may occasionally be performed outside with exposure to varying temperatures.
• Work hours may occasionally be extended.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Reporting Relationship

• This position reports to the School Principals.
• Direct Reports: None.

Benefits

Prospect Ridge Academy offers a total compensation package, for employees working > 0.75 FTE, including:

1. MEDICAL - There are three options for Medical coverage provided by United Healthcare.
2. DENTAL - Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Colorado.
3. VISION - Vision insurance is provided by VSP.
4. FLEXIBLE SPENDING - There are two different options for flexible spending provided by Discovery Benefits.
5. LIFE/AD&D - You are provided 1x your annual salary (up to $100,000) as group term life insurance provided by Lincoln Financial Group.
6. STD/LTD - PRA pays the entire cost of short- and long-term disability benefits.
7. PERA - Administered by Colorado, PERA is a tax-deferred retirement account to which you contribute 11% of your monthly earnings. Additionally, PRA contributes 21.4% to the PERA pension trust fund on your behalf.
8. EAP - Employee Assistance Program is provided by Lincoln Financial.
9. PAL - Paid Annual Leave beginning immediately following the first day of work (FTE 1.0 = 10 days / 0.8 = 8 days/ 0.5 = 5 days etc.)
10. Paid Holidays that include - 11 paid Holidays for 10 month Employees (please refer to Employee Handbook for these 11 days) and 15 paid Holidays for 12 month Employees (please refer to Employee Handbook for these 15 days.

For Employees working < 0.75 FTE, benefits will include:

1. PERA - Administered by Colorado, PERA is a tax-deferred retirement account to which you contribute 11% of your monthly earnings. Additionally, PRA contributes 21.4% to the PERA pension trust fund on your behalf.
2. Paid Holidays that include - 11 paid Holidays for 10 month Employees (please refer to Employee Handbook for these 11 days) and 15 paid Holidays for 12 month Employees (please refer to Employee Handbook for these 15 days.

Starting Salary Range: $57,000 - $64,125