Language Support Specialist

Primary Objective

This highly collaborative position shares responsibility for ensuring that all students, particularly those who lack proficiency with conversational and academic English, receive the support necessary for high quality learning and equitable access to the full range of learning opportunities available.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supports an inclusive model of English language support
  

• Consults/co-plans with teachers to design lessons that
  

  incorporate objectives and strategies for language learning
  

• Co-teaches in content-area classes to ensure language and
  

  conceptual understanding
  

• Ensures usage of research-based language acquisition
  

  strategies to support learning in the regular classroom
  

• Provides, or facilitates provision of, instructional language
  

  support to students in the regular classroom
  

• Provides instruction and support to students in individual and
  

  small group settings on a limited basis; develops and enacts transition plans to facilitate full-time placement into the regular classroom
  

• Participates on and collaborates with the Student Support Team to ensure that referred and identified students receive comprehensive support; monitors student progress
  

• Meets with parents to discuss language learning needs and external support, when necessary
  

• Communicates regularly with classroom teachers, other specialists, and administrators regarding student needs, especially regarding changes or updated information
  

• Ensures effective student transition between classes and grade levels; informs teachers of detailed student needs at the start of the year and throughout the year as needed; facilitates year-end meetings between current and next-year teacher(s)
  

• Maintains documentation and records of student needs, interventions, and progress
  

• Provides relevant professional learning opportunities to teachers
  

• Advocates for student and program needs; discusses and
  

  recommends program improvements with school leaders
  

• Commits to and practices child safeguarding standards and
  

  requirements; ensures that all students are protected from
  

  exclusion, discrimination, harassment, abuse and neglect
  

• Commits to school Guiding Statements and Teacher Profile
  

Key Relationships

• Teachers
• Student Support Team members • Students
• Parents