Descripción del puesto

Reports to:

Division Principal or designee Collaborates closely with: Assistant Principals, Head of Department, Instructional Coach, K-12 Coordinators and Specialists, and other colleagues as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

The primary function of The International School of Panama Learning Support Specialist is to facilitate the students' learning process and create productive environments in which students can develop skills they might need at present or in the future. The role provides both in class and out of class support with the focus of removing barriers and increasing access. The job is to facilitate advocacy and learning for the students and assists in other school programs working harmoniously with the administrative staff and parents in support of the ISP Teaching Philosophy, school policy, regulations, objectives and goals. Other key responsibilities include:

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Maintain/update the Learning Support program at ISP to best serve students with learning differences and/or attentional or executive function concerns.
• Implement interventions for students identified who need additional support in core subjects (i.e. extra help in the area of math, reading, writing, and study skills).
• Provide students with learning differences the most appropriate program within the academic environment of ISP. This includes running intervention programs, co-planning, co-teaching, and co-assessing or consulting. This can also require contacting/working with outside professionals (neurologist, psychiatrists, psychologist, etc.).
• Coordinate Student Support Team (SST) meetings for students who have been referred to the learning support program. The SST meets to discuss students that are not performing well academically or socially. The SST is comprised of the Assistant Principal, Inclusion Coordinator, Counselors, LS/EAL Teachers, and teachers designated as Grade Leads.
• Maintain systems for documenting child studies, disseminating information, filing, and the use of these records.
• Develop Individual Educational Plans (I.E.P.) for every student in the special needs program and meet with parents periodically to discuss progress.
• Conduct benchmarking and progress monitoring assessments when necessary. Use data to evaluate and adjust IEP goals when necessary.
• Write end-of-the-year reports for each student in the program.
• Teach and support students during scheduled class periods. This may include both in-class and pull-out support.
• Plan with the end in mind (Understanding by Design or other backwards design model) to develop units that are focused on essential questions and enduring understandings. Embed Universal Design for Learning practices in planning partnerships.
• Design authentic assessments (and aligned standards-based rubrics) to measure student learning in a real-world setting.
• Provide frequent feedback to students to help guide them in their learning process. Report on student progress using standards-based grading.
• Build a robust learning atmosphere that leads students to value being at school and feel part of a challenging yet joyful and inclusive learning community.
• Help ensure that all students achieve key learning outcomes for the grade level, targeting instruction thoughtfully to address individual needs.
• Collaborate intensively and daily with colleagues to continually improve student learning and school culture. Work collaboratively to create cross-curricular learning opportunities.
• Participate actively in ongoing, intensive professional learning and lead professional development to support colleagues and students.

ADVISORY - At ISP HS, a robust student-centered advisory program is one of the key drivers of student culture. We are committed to seeking educators who have experience with and passion for advisory leadership and curriculum development.

Requisitos

WHAT YOU BRING

• Passion for working with and appreciation of high school students
• Deep dedication to continual growth and development
• Eagerness to collaborate with colleagues
• A willingness to be flexible, and adaptable, and committed to the unique nature of working in an international school
• Organization, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Experience designing authentic units and assessment using a backwards design model
• A high degree of professionalism
• Commitment to participating in the whole school experience including fostering joy as an authentic and important part of the learning process for students and staff

IDEAL TRAITS

• Strong knowledge/ability in English/Social Studies/Humanities (ability to tutor/co-teach at advanced high school levels); background in humanities teaching is ideal
• Skill in change management and in building momentum/buy-in with teaching staff
• Knowledge of co-teaching models
• Strong understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Blended Learning models
• Flexible and comfortable working in a variety of classrooms
• Willingness to support all learners in a co-taught class including Learning Support, EAL, and the general education population
• Knowledge/experience in IB
• Collaborate and work with other specialists and divisions

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

• Experience in Learning Support at the High School level
• Bachelor or Master Degree in Education or in relevant subject area with teaching experience as per above
• High level of English proficiency
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and an international mindset
• Previous experience in an international school is desirable
• Experience in Standards Based Grading is desirable
• Experience with benchmarking and progress monitoring assessments

Candidates should note that in the event an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, ISP reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline. For this reason, it is very important that interested candidates apply as soon as possible. Candidates wishing to learn more about the International School of Panama may visit www.isp.edu.pa