A Day in the Life of a Learning Specialist at California Middle School
A typical day for the Learning Specialist involves collaboration: checking in with grade-level leads and teachers, "anticipating what students might need," and coordinating with support staff like the resource assistant and other service providers. The specialist also dedicates time to parent communication and preparation for meetings, highlighting the collaborative and proactive nature of the role.
Collaboration, Communication, Organization, Problem-Solving, Education
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Dan McCauley
Learning Specialist
California Middle School
New York University, 2017
Relay Graduate School of Education, Masters in the Art of Teaching
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Education
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Former Foster Youth, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Collaboration is a significant part of the job, involving communication with teachers, assistants, parents, and other service providers.
2. Daily tasks include checking in with students, teachers, and assistants; delegating tasks; and preparing for meetings.
3. The work involves anticipating student needs, supporting them with upcoming assignments, and responding to parent concerns.
Transcript
What does a day in the life of a resource specialist look like?
In the morning, I check in with our grade level leads and the team of teachers for any updates on how our mutually shared students are doing in their classes. I'm looking for information on big assignments coming up, so I can anticipate what our students might need to be successful.
I also check in with the resource assistant. I delegate tasks and review the plan for the day, but I also hear from them what they notice and anything that's on their mind.
I might also respond to parent correspondence and help students who need me. They always know they can check into my room before 8:30 if they're worried about something like a geometry test.
After teaching for five hours, I have about 30 minutes to an hour left in the day. I usually use that time to prep for yearly meetings with families or check in with different service providers. This includes reminding the speech therapist of upcoming meetings or getting reports from the occupational therapist. I spend my entire day collaborating with people.
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