Learning Support Specialist

Kauffman School

Ewing Marion Kauffman School - Kansas City, Missouri

Job ID:5485757

Application Deadline:Posted until filled

Posted:Oct 28, 2024 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date:Immediately

The Ewing Marion Kauffman School is a free, public charter school serving more than 1,200 students in 5th through 12th grades. Focused on student achievement and strong character, the school's mission is summarized in three words: create college graduates. The school serves a student population of which 87% qualify for free and reduced lunch and 90% identify as students of color. Students are accepted by a lottery that prioritizes the six highest-need zip codes within the district. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, 100% of students in each graduating class earned at least one acceptance to a college or university – we believe this provides true choice and opportunity as students pursue post-secondary goals. More than 70% of our students identify as first in their families to attend college.

The Kauffman School seeks results-driven and culturally responsive educators to join its team – we anchor ourselves around four guiding principles about what it means to be culturally responsive educators and create a school with strong student and staff culture:

• Belief and Connection: We show belief in every student through setting and holding them to high expectations while building relationships. We build connections and relationships with each student side by side by providing excellent rigorous content in order to value the individual child. We do not allow differences in identity or our personal biases to cause us to lower expectations because we know that when supported, our students can achieve.
• Clear is Kind: We show care through direct and clear communication of our high expectations rather than allowing them to 'slip through the cracks' by assuming they will know how to meet our standards without telling them. We also know that one of our roles is preparing our children for a world as college students/graduates that might play by different "rules" than they have previously experienced and it is our job to help them understand how to navigate, challenge the norms of, and dismantle that world.
• Intent and Impact: All of our actions are executed with the purpose and intent to empower every student to reach their full potential. We also believe that as educators, we are called to assess the impact of our actions and adjust course if they are not meeting the intent. Positive intent cannot mean we ignore the impact of actions and we believe continually assessing and reassessing practices to ensure they are effective is a critical reflection process to ensure we are being culturally responsive.
• Cultural Context + Critical Thinking: We approach rigorous learning as an activity that is responsive to students' cultural contexts and pushes them to think critically. We seek opportunities for them to engage with and respond to the world around them - both in their immediate lives and in their broader society - while being pushed intellectually at all times.

The Learning Support Specialist (LSS) helps build the right environment by working with teachers to differentiate for all learning styles, providing individualized or small group instruction, and working closely with external service providers to ensure rigorous, high quality services. The LSS is a special education teacher that works to meet the goals outlined in students' Individualized Education Program (IEPs) and works in a variety of grade levels and content areas. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Because we are a growing charter network, our application and interview process identifies candidates who would be great educators, no matter the content or grade level. Know that your grade-level preferences will be a point of discussion in future conversations and interviews, and we value educators being flexible in both content and grade preferences.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supporting Curriculum Design, Instruction, and Student Achievement

• Provide direct student support through small group and one-on-one instruction within the general education classroom
• Collaborate with teachers to develop effective whole group practices, 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 engaged and challenged and each student achieves dramatic gains
• Assist teachers with tracking data to determine the effectiveness of interventions
• Work with Director of Special Education to write and implement rigorous, standards-driven IEPs, manage legal documents and files related to students' IEPs and 504 plans, liaise with external service providers, ensure all services are in compliance with mandates, and coordinate annual IEP review process
• Lead professional development for content and grade-level teams and the school
• Advise teachers and principal on modification processes for state and school-wide assessments
• Approach practice with a sense of urgency, maximizing every minute with students
• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor
• Deliver content and instruction to students with purpose, passion, and a willingness to do "whatever it takes" to help students succeed
• Assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

Building School Culture

• Use your own authentic teacher persona to build strong relationships with students and engage students in deep learning
• Believe deeply in the mission of the Kauffman School and that all children can meet high academic expectations
• Discuss, celebrate, and reinforce the school's PREP (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion) values
• Implement school-wide behavior management system consistently with all students
• Be accountable for student's mastery of academic standards and IEP goals
• Embrace feedback and constructive criticism in the spirit of constant improvement
• Demonstrate maturity, humility, professionalism, confidence, and a strong work ethic inside and outside the classroom

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree is required, master's degree is preferred
• Two years of teaching experience in a special education setting with a record of high student achievement
• Familiarity with IEP process and reporting
• An ability to meet all state and federal guidelines in order to be fully licensed
• Commitment and complete belief in the Kauffman School's mission and organizational success
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, self-reflection, strong work ethic, and "whatever it takes" attitude
• Ability to take feedback well and implement changes immediately
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Entrepreneurial energy and ambition necessary for leading a startup
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures

This role requires the a bility to work at the location as assigned by the School (e.g., on-site or remote) and the ability to accept re-assignment to an alternative work location as determined by the School.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The Kauffman School offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with relevant experience and anticipated duties and responsibilities, including comprehensive health benefits.

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should complete a formal application through the Kauffman School Careers page at

The Kauffman School is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people to flourish in an open and inclusive work environment. A diverse pool of candidates is welcomed and encouraged.

Position Type:Full-Time

Margo Sinclair , Talent Recruiter

Ewing Marion Kauffman School

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