Exceptional Learning Support Specialist

Purpose and Scope

The Exceptional Learning Support Specialist will assist principals and student support personnel across Catholic elementary and high schools within the Diocese. This role focuses on supporting schools in enhancing services for exceptional learners. The coordinator will support schools in meeting the needs of students with disabilities, assist in finding professional development resources for classroom teachers, and help schools collaborate with local public-school districts on IDEA issues. The coordinator will not directly handle students but will serve as a vital resource for school staff.

Essential Job Functions

· Advocate for the needs of students with disabilities within the Catholic school system, supporting school staff in these efforts.

· Help schools find and access professional development resources on exceptional learning topics, including strategies for working with students with various disabilities.

· Provide Diocesan-wide professional development sessions as needed and offer individual coaching and support to teachers and school staff, empowering them to better serve exceptional learners.

· Assist schools in designing and implementing comprehensive programs for students with exceptional learning needs.

· Support schools in understanding psycho-educational data to develop appropriate classroom strategies and accommodations.

· Assist schools in determining appropriate testing accommodations for Diocesan required assessments.

· Research and recommend resources and tools to assist students with exceptional learning needs, ensuring schools have access to the latest and most effective support.

· Assist schools in accessing services for exceptional learners through local education agencies, as well as state and federal programs.

· Assist schools in working with public school districts on IDEA compliance and related issues.

· Serve as a collaborative member of the Catholic Schools Office team.

· Lead school support personnel meetings throughout the year.

· Collaborate with Catholic Schools Office personnel in the development of the annual professional development conferences.

· Support the Catholic Schools Office initiatives and programs as needed.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Job Functions

· Performs any other job-related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

· Active, practicing Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church.

· Strong understanding of both private and public-school systems, particularly in the context of exceptional learning.

· Experience working with children with disabilities and knowledge of IDEA regulations.

· Experience providing professional development to teachers and administrators.

· Excellent communication and leadership skills.

· Ability to travel to various Diocesan schools as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

· Certified in Special Education in Arizona or another state

Work Environment

· This job operates in a professional office environment.

· This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands

· This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand, as necessary.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Diocese of Phoenix Diocesan Pastoral Center
400 E Monroe St
Phoenix AZ, 85004-2336

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