Learning Specialist - Upper School

Learning Specialist - Cranbrook Upper School

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community is one of the world's leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, Center for Collections and Research, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending our Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors and students to its campus each year. Critics have called Cranbrook "the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America" and in 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The campus is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, about 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. For more, please visit our website: www.cranbrook.edu.

Reporting in a shared model to the Head of Upper School and Director of Wellness, the Learning Specialist is responsible for the planning and implementation of accommodation plans and is committed to supporting three critical populations in the upper school community- students, families, and faculty. The Learning Specialist must have a strong understanding of the developmental needs of a high school age student, curriculum, effective intervention strategies, and a deep commitment to helping students find success in their educational experiences. The Learning Specialist will work with upper school students to ensure they meet grade-level standards, partner with families to share supports and next steps for their child and collaborate with teachers on implementing strategies for differentiated instruction in the classroom. Developing strong partnerships is the core of their work; the Learning Specialist plays an essential role in providing education and guidance to students, parents, and teachers about various ways that different students learn and strategies to help them be successful. They must stay current on research and trends in education, and help create programming that educates students, faculty, and administration to deepen their own understanding of neurodiversity and best practices.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Active and engaged member of the Upper School, and larger Cranbrook Schools, community.
• Work closely with classroom teachers, parents, school leadership and support staff to ensure a coordinated approach to student success.
• Understand and interpret psychoeducational evaluations and implications for practice; complete additional assessments, when necessary, to inform academic support.
• Develop and or support individualized intervention plans that address students' academic needs, setting clear goals and timelines.
• Provide focused instruction in small-group or one-on-one settings with students, tailoring teaching methods to individual learning styles when needed.
• Track student progress regularly, analyze data, and adjust interventions and or plans as needed.
• Develop systems and measures that align with other divisions, particularly middle school.
• Support faculty with differentiation strategies in the classroom to best meet students' needs.
• Actively participate in Education Accommodation Plans (EAP) Committee to ensure alignment across PK-12 services.
• Collaborate and work with School Counselor to create and sustain 504 plans.
• Responsible for writing new accommodation plans as well as updating existing plans.
• Provide professional learning opportunities to faculty by way of PDs, in-house presentations or shared resources that align with schools mission and philosophy on supporting all learners.
• Allocates time in the summer to work with returning students and families through the renewal process for expired plans as well as new families to Cranbrook to ensure plans are in place before the start of the school year.
• Partner with testing center to facilitate accommodations for standardized testing including managing requests and necessary documentation and maintaining open lines of communication regarding important testing dates.
• Maintain clear and open communication with students, families, and colleagues within your division as well as cross-divisionally.
• Works closely with Upper School Leadership, Pre-K12 Intervention team & Assistant Director of Schools.
• Maintain attendance, punctuality, and performance standards set forth in Cranbrook's employee handbook.

Requirements:

Requires a valid teaching certification with an endorsement in math and reading, a Master's degree is preferred; experience in providing academic interventions to students; proven ability to differentiate instruction and adapt to diverse learning needs; demonstrates strong skills in data analysis and assessment practices; experience working with high school students and their families; experience providing instructional support to faculty in the classroom; experience with Response to Intervention (RTI) or similar multi-tiered support systems; knowledge of specialized intervention programs or curricula; has excellent communication and interpersonal skills; maintains a collaborative mindset and a commitment to teamwork; and experience planning and implementing learning strategy workshops for students are all vital for this role. Ongoing professional development is required in order to stay current in this rapidly developing field.

Cranbrook offers competitive compensation and benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement programs with employer contribution. We also offer generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employee discounts, and a unique environment in an educational setting that values collaboration.

Interested candidates must submit a curriculum vitae or resume, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, statement of educational philosophy in relation to this position, and two or three letters of recommendation with contact information. Please be sure all documents are uploaded when you submit your application. Questions about this position may be directed to Karen Gomez at kgomez@cranbrook.edu.