Learning Support Teacher

PART-TIME, 0.51 FTE

Staff relationships:

Reports to: The Principal

Liaises with: Assistant Principal, Senior Teacher (Junior School)

Collaborates with: Classroom teachers, K-10

Consults with: School chaplains

Outside support services, e.g. speech pathologists, IST’s Education Services

Key responsibilities:

The Learning Support Teacher coordinates support for, and advises on, the academic programmes of students with specific learning needs by:

1. developing and implementing programmes to meet the needs of students with specific learning needs identified by classroom teachers, standardised assessment tests, national benchmark tests, and by external professionals;

2. coordinating and supporting teacher aides employed for the purpose of implementing an individual education plan (IEP) for a student;

3. supporting and resourcing classroom teachers implementing IEPs, including advising teaching staff on responsibilities for mandatory collection of data;

4. with classroom teachers, Principal and parents, arranging for assessments / assistance from outside agencies and outside professionals, e.g. guidance, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychologist;

5. establishing, maintaining and monitoring learning assistance programmes, e.g. Multilit Reading Tutor Programme;

6. providing support to parents of students with specific learning needs with recognition of their relevant concerns;

7. liaising with the Manager of Education Services for Independent Schools of Tasmania (IST) , or delegate, regarding funding submissions and relevant professional development needs for staff;

8. researching and obtaining appropriate resources for classroom teachers;9. administering standardised assessment tests, e.g. CELF4, YARC Junior, YARC Senior,

articulation assessments and screening, and advising suitable intervention strategies;10. participating, as appropriate, in case conferences organised by the Principal with external

professionals.

Related responsibilities

11. Assist students to manage problems that arise from learning difficulties.12. Encourage students to develop self-confidence and independence, and to reach towards their

potential.

13. Assist students to develop attainable goals within the classroom setting.14. Maintain observational records on students for use in reviewing student academic progress.15. Assist classroom teachers in their adaptation of the Australian Curriculum and teaching

methods to meet special learning needs for individual students.16. Plan and deliver lessons, set and mark assessable tasks and record student progress.

17. Work as a team-member with school staff and liaise with parents and outside relevant individuals such as educational psychologists.

18. Commitment to engage in ongoing professional development.19. Participate in the co-curriculum.20.   Responsible for co-ordinating preparation of and compiling Individual Education Programs for 

students.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Qualifications:

1. Three- or Four-Year trained teacher, registered with the Tasmanian Teachers Registration Board.

2. First Aid Certificate (or commitment to qualify within a reasonable period).3. Working with Vulnerable People – Child Related Activity Card.

Experience:1. Three years previous teaching experience. 2. To be experienced in writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and collating information for

funding submissions.

Skills:

1. Highly conscientious and committed to the highest standards of professional service.2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including use of information technology.3. Ability to establish a good working relationship with students.4. Excellent organisational skills.5. Caring and motivated by the best interests of the students.6. Energy and enthusiasm to engage students.7. Can relate well to different groups of students of different ages and ability levels.8. Creativity, self-belief and the ability to maintain discipline.

9. Knowledge of, and ability to implement standardised assessment tests, e.g. CELF4, YARC Junior, YARC Senior, articulation assessments and screening.

10. Using audio-visual materials and computers to stimulate interest and learning.11. Assist students with enquiry-based learning.

What I would like to see occur in my role in the future:

The Learning Support Teacher provides small group and individual teaching to students with special learning needs. The Learning Support Teacher provides advice to other teachers on students’ special learning needs to assist teachers in modifying what students learn (content), how they learn (process) and how students demonstrate and are assessed for this (product), to accommodate special learning needs.

1. To build up a bank of dedicated teaching aids for the Learning Support room. 2. To evidence more systematically differentiated curriculum design and delivery where

warranted.3. As the school grows, to have a teacher aide assisting in programme delivery with both Junior

and Senior students.4. As the school grows, to regularise provision of a professional psychologist’s services to the

school.5. Be an effective researcher in the school to further both professional development and

programme implementation in relevant areas. 6. Maintain current knowledge of the core curriculum across all year levels. 7. Participate in and promote networking of Learning Support teachers in sharing examples of

best practice.8. Support whole-school professional development to address both learning difficulties and

teaching practices.