Position: Educational Therapist

                                                               Job Description

Scope

The Educational Therapist has a passion for teaching students who learn differently.  He/she should have a strong background in phonics, reading fluency, and multisensory strategies.  The therapist works efficiently as a servant-leader to accomplish the essential job results while directly or indirectly providing services to students with academic weaknesses.  The Educational Therapist serves as a liaison between the parents, classroom teachers and outside service providers.   This position will have required on-line course work to begin in May, 2018 and would be expected to attend a 2 week summer training course in June/July of 2018.  Course date will be provided once it has been published.

Qualifications

The candidate shall possess characteristics that reflect:

• A strong clear Christian testimony with a mature and godly spirit
• A daily example of the highest Christian virtue both in and out of school
• Commitment to faithful attendance and support of a church whose beliefs are in agreement with the Statement of Faith

The ideal candidate shall possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field
• Master’s degree in Special Education preferred
• Current state teaching certificate/license
• Meet certification guidelines required to obtain and maintain active ACSI certification
• National Institute for Learning Development/NILD Training required
• Experience in teaching students using multisensory strategies (i.e. Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell) 

Accountabilities/Responsibilities 

• Continually strive for student improvement by reading current research and applying changes to student programming
• Work in an individual or small group setting with students who are experiencing academic challenges  
• Work cooperatively with Classroom Teachers
• Perform classroom observations and diagnostics
• Use data from Psycho-Educational test reports to develop a Student Success Plan, which includes information regarding areas of strengths and weaknesses, write specific annual SMART goals, accommodations/modifications, and additional services the student is receiving
• Provide direct intensive intervention services to students with Psycho-Educational Testing
• Provide strategies for home practice that facilities student learning
• Consult with Coordinator/Director regarding referrals for private specialized services (tutoring, occupation or speech therapy, etc.)
• Collect and document measurable data on current student goals and objectives
• Communicate and monitor student progress on Student Success Plans with teachers and parents regularly
• Monitor the effectiveness of current accommodation/modification plans
• Modify Student Success Plans yearly or as needed based on data/growth
• Conduct parent conferences to explain testing results, programming, and progress
• Attend faculty meetings, Educational Resource team meetings, campus faculty meetings and monthly CASS Academic Support meetings/PLCs
• Foster communication efforts between parents and teachers; encourages Matthew 18 principle
• Maintain current knowledge of CASS services for students with learning differences
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment
• Submit progress reports of caseload to CASS Administration as requested
• Collaborate with Director, Coordinator/other Educational Resource Teachers, Therapists and classroom teachers as appropriate
• Consult with outside service providers, such as occupational therapists, speech pathologist, tutor, etc. 

Outcomes

• TIER III  support to students (NILD, Academic Support)
• Ongoing assessment of student to enhance learning needs
• Customized education programs for student 

Reporting Relationship

The Educational Therapist reports to the Director of Educational Resources and campus principal.