What are the responsibilities and job description for the Learning Specialist position at Nichols School?
Job Title: Learning Specialist
Schedule: Full-Time, Monday – Thursday (7:45 AM – 4:15 PM) and Friday (7:45-3:45)
Department: Learning Services
Position Overview
We are seeking a collaborative, and dedicated Learning Specialist to join our community. In this role, you will champion students with diverse learning needs, helping them develop the tools, strategies, and self-advocacy skills necessary to thrive academically. This position centers on meaningful connection with students and partnering closely with families, teachers, collaborating with student advisors, and guiding students to reach their full potential within a supportive educational environment.
Key Responsibilities
Student Support & Case Management
- Development of Learning Plans: Write and update personalized learning plans based on psychoeducational evaluations or other documentation, supporting classroom teachers in understanding how to best support each student's needs.
- Individual Student Coaching: Meet with students individually to develop their organizational skills, study habits, and ability to confidently advocate for themselves.
- After-School Learning Lab: Facilitate a daily after school Learning Lab from 3:40 PM – 4:15 PM, providing a structured, welcoming environment for students to receive targeted organizational and academic support and wrap up their day successfully.
Family Partnership & Advisor Collaboration
- Family Partnership: Build close, supportive relationships with families, serving as an accessible guide to help them navigate their student’s learning needs and align home and school strategies.
- Advisor Collaboration: Partner regularly with student Advisors to provide a holistic view of student progress, sharing valuable insights to support the advisor-advisee relationship.
- Testing Guidance: Walk families clearly and empathetically through the process of applying for standardized testing accommodations through the College Board and ACT.
- Annual Review Meetings: Lead annual review meetings, sometimes in conjunction with the Buffalo Public School CSE chairs, to review evaluations, discuss academic progress, and update learning plans in an open, encouraging environment.
Faculty Coaching & Institutional Alignment
- Teacher Coaching: Partner with faculty to share research based instructional strategies, interpret learning profiles, and help implement accommodations effectively in the classroom.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with the Admissions team, Learning Specialists, and Administration to implement support programming.
Standardized Testing & Accommodations Administration
- Coordinator Roles: Serve as the primary accommodations coordinator for the ACT and the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator for the College Board.
- Testing Logistics: In conjunction with the College Office and teachers, coordinate and oversee accommodated testing for routine classroom assessments as well as major milestones like the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP Exams.
- Proctoring Management: Directly proctor accommodated exams and coordinated with internal staff to ensure testing days run smoothly and stress-free for students.
Qualifications & Skills
- Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, School Psychology, or a related field required. Experience supporting middle and high school-aged students is highly desirable.
- Neurodiversity Expertise: A deep understanding of neurodiversity, psychoeducational evaluations, and effective executive functioning supports/strategies for adolescents.
- Relational Skills: Exceptional communication skills, with a proven ability to build rapport with teenagers, collaborate with faculty, and partner with parents.
- Organization and Communication: Attention to detail and strong organizational skills,essential for managing testing schedules and learning plans.
Salary : $50,000 - $80,000