Speech and Language Pathologist

About AppleTree 

AppleTree’s mission is to close the achievement gap before students get to kindergarten. To accomplish this mission, we focus exclusively on Preschool and Pre-K education. We provide free, full-day public charter school programming for three- and four-year olds in 12 locations across Washington, DC,  employing our innovative and award winning instructional model, called Every Child Ready (ECR). This instructional model provides educators with tools and resources for “What to Teach”, “How to Teach” and “How to Measure Success.” Our instructional model is also used with partners across the nation. We continuously test and improve this model through feedback from AppleTree educators, partners and other stakeholders to ensure that children are learning and exploring through play and appropriate instruction.

Position Summary

The Speech-Language Pathologist supports teachers, administrators, and staff in ensuring that AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School (AELPCS) provides optimal support to all children, especially those who need extra support in speech and language development. The School Speech-Language Pathologist brings to the educational process an in-depth knowledge of the nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders, including the etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates, in order to provide effective research-based interventions to children and to help regular education teachers and families integrate these strategies into their daily interactions with children.

The Speech-Language Pathologist possesses knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for children with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates of the disorders.

Specific knowledge is evident in the areas of: articulation; fluency; voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation; receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics); hearing, including the impact on speech and language; swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding; orofacial myofunction); cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem-solving, executive functioning); social aspects of communication (including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, lack of communication opportunities); communication modalities (including oral, manual, augmentative, and alternative communication techniques and assistive technologies)

What you’ll do…

Support Achievement for All Students

• Maximize student achievement, especially those identified for special education and those at-risk of being identified for special education, by implementing a response to intervention instructional model.
• Use information and data from a variety of sources to understand children’s instructional needs and to improve teaching and learning for young children.
• Develop an understanding of the school’s mission, culture, response to intervention instructional model and behavior management plan.
• Provide specialized consultation to instructional staff to support language instruction.
• Participate in school processes designed to help children in need of extra support, including the Student Support Team and the Multidisciplinary Team.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal development including basic communication processes and the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on communication.
• Identify and refer clients for services as appropriate.
• Participate in all professional development for instructional staff.

Acts as a Resource for Families and the AELPCS Community

• Provide professional development on areas of expertise to school personnel.
• Establish cooperative partnerships with parents.
• Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the child, family, caregivers, and relevant others.
• Collaborate with other professionals in case management, including the School Principal, the Special Education Manager and the Special Education coordinators..
• Demonstrate comprehension of the principles of basic and applied research and research design in order to access sources of research information and ensure the ongoing integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
• Manage the Tier 2 screening process for articulation through professional development, data review, and consultation with Principals and teachers.

Provides Direct Services to Children

• Work with children on a one-to-one basis, in small groups and/or directly in a classroom, to overcome difficulties involved with specific disorders.
• Write and implement IEP goals.
• Complete all necessary areas of IEP as pertains to Speech.
• Maintain accurate special education records and monitor the documentation of special education services provided as required by laws, AELPCS policies, and administrative regulations.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate information about prevention, assessment, and intervention over the range of differences and disorders.
• Maintain awareness of campus special education services and IEP meetings, including adherence to required timelines.
• Assist with the development of AELPCS special education program, as needed or required, for the purpose of ensuring program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules in all locations.
• Collaborate to develop intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals including Individual Education Plan goals that meet child’s needs and implements them accordingly.
• Participate in MDT and IEP meetings.
• Select or develop and use appropriate materials and instrumentation for prevention and intervention, including assisted technology programs.
• Measure and evaluate child’s performance and progress.
• Modify intervention plans, strategies, materials, or instrumentation as appropriate to meet the changing needs of the child.

Conducts Screening and Evaluations

• Conducts screening and comprehensive speech and language evaluation procedures, such as behavioral observations, non-standardized and standardized tests, and instrumental procedures in a timely manner.
• Collects case history information and integrates information from child’s family, caregivers, teachers, relevant others, and other professionals.
• Adapts evaluation procedures to meet child’s needs when necessary.
• Interprets, integrates, and synthesizes all information to develop diagnoses and make appropriate recommendations for intervention.

Upholds professional responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality with regard to all aspects of student information.  
• Understand, and practice in accordance with, federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and/or policies that relate to students and families; such as, speech-language pathology, special education, education rights, ethical conduct and privacy.
• Maintain necessary ongoing licensure/certification maintenance requirements within specified timelines.
• Seek out professional development opportunities for oneself.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and duties.
• Maintain cooperative, respectful and supportive relationships with colleagues.
• Allocate time and resources effectively.
• Implement all established AELPCS policies and procedures.

What we’re looking for…

• Master’s degree in speech - language pathology 
• Minimum two year’s experience serving children; Previous experience working with children with autistic spectrum disorders strongly preferred.
• CCC-SLP required
• Expected to meet state licensing requirements 
• Demonstrated competence in the areas of speech and language development, anatomy, linguistic and cultural issues affecting multicultural populations, speech and language disorders, clinical procedures in identifying, evaluating, and diagnosing speech language and hearing disorders, habilitation and rehabilitation of speech and language disorders, auditory pathology, and aural habilitation and rehabilitation
• Strong ability to write and comprehend technical reports, diagnostic and treatment reports, treatment plans, and professional correspondence
• Ability and willingness to travel to multiple sites
• IMPORTANT: Per Mayor’s Order 2021-109, on-site staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

What’s in it for you…                                                                            

• Competitive Salary + $2,500 Sign-on Bonus
• Employee Health Benefits that are in the 95th percentile of other schools in the District
• Fully covered Dental
• Benefits for you and all eligible dependents
• Fully covered Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Life insurance with buy-up options 
• Free Online Wellness Platform for you and up to 4 eligible dependents 
• Competitive Paid Time Off, including early close Mental Health Days
• 5% Employer Contribution to your Retirement Account (whether you contribute or not)
• AppleTree Scholarship to pay for continued education
• Network Professional Development Opportunities

AppleTree’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

At AppleTree, we endeavor to foster an environment where each person’s true self and experience are welcome. We believe that only with a diverse and inclusive environment can you truly celebrate and support all students, families, and staff. Our commitment to diversity is founded on the belief that our community is strengthened by the vibrant exchange that occurs when individuals with different backgrounds, abilities, and heritages share their various perspectives with one another.