Title:  Assistive and Instructional Technology Specialist

FLSA Classification:  Exempt, Instructional Staff, 10-Month

Reports to: Director of Language, Literacy & Assistive Technology 

Mission:

The Howard School empowers students with language-based learning differences by addressing individual needs and leveraging strengths to develop a lifelong understanding of and advocacy for their own learning process.

Position Overview:

The Howard School recognizes and celebrates learner passions and strengths, while also addressing their disabilities and weaknesses, and believes that learners are neither defined nor limited by labels. Ideal candidates have the attributes of flexibility, humor, collaboration, creativity, and passion.

 Position Purpose:

This position is responsible for managing Assistive and Instructional Technology across the school, including student screening, record keeping, troubleshooting, and training of students, parents, and teachers. The AT/IT  Specialist also leads small-group and classroom instruction emphasizing the incorporation of assistive technology tools for reading, writing, and note-taking.

Employee Characteristics

• Ability to teach and delegate responsibility to students 
• Ability to work independently and efficiently, exercising reasonable judgment, in a fast-paced, multi-task environment with minimal supervision 
• Curious, creative, self-reflective, and willing to take initiative and run with new ideas
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and demonstrate problem-solving skills, while maintaining courtesy, professionalism, and a customer service attitude 
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with students, parents, co-workers, and business contacts in a courteous and professional manner 

Essential Functions for Assistive Technology Specialist

• Determine AT needs through screening and assessment
• Assist in training students to use individualized assistive technology software programs
• Conduct parent education sessions and one-on-one and/or group trainings for parents and faculty
• Meet with parents to discuss assessments, demonstrate software, and explain the use of assistive technology for academic support
• Support and/or lead small-group or whole-class lessons incorporating assistive technology (AT) for specific or general class instruction
• Collaborate with teachers on incorporating assistive technology in their lesson planning
• Design and deliver digital literacy content 
• Co-lead the AI Task Force and spearhead design and classroom implementation of custom platform with AI Specialist
• Coordinate with technology department to ensure that AT software and hardware is available for students
• Organize and keep up-to-date student assessment documents 
• Regularly check in with students for needs in regards to book downloads and software fluency
• Update and maintain database lists and assist in managing communications from parents, students, and faculty
• Remain current on software/hardware updates and upgrades
• Identify useful instructional technology for classroom implementation
• Attend conferences on AT/IT advancements and strategies for implementation
• Other general functions as needed

Qualifications/Skills

• Must be able to follow oral and written directions and have the ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and students.
• Ability to maintain effective classroom management strategies
• School experience with knowledge of LD student population 
• Masters degree preferred 
• Ability to read and implement instructional plans.  Ability to correspond with parents and administration  
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administration, parents, students, staff members, and the general public as requested
• Familiarity with generative AI and its application to student work
• Ability to interpret AT assessment results and the implications for individualized content delivery
• Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts 
• Ability to solve practical problems  
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with students, parents, peers, and administration  
• Previous office or school experience preferred
• Displays proficiency in all related computer applications, including email and Internet, and Google Drive/Docs
• Must be highly organized, and able to communicate status of several ongoing projects at a moment’s notice
• Must be able to lead training sessions (small and large) regarding specific software programs
• Ability to maintain, organize, prioritize, and respond to a high volume of email

The Howard School is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The School is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, disability/handicap, genetic information, uniform service member status or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

About The Howard School

The Howard School educates students with language-based learning disabilities and learning differences through instruction designed to complement and address each student’s individual needs, and to help each student understand and advocate for his or her own learning process. The curriculum focuses on depth of understanding to make learning meaningful and therefore, maximize educational success.

Connections working at The Howard School