Learning Support Plus Teacher for our Elementary School

Join our World Class Learning Community

Start Date: August 1, 2024

Location: Wassenaar, on the north side of The Hague
Language Skills: Fluent English is Essential

You believe that school is preparation for life, more than simply the next level of school. You are passionate about Elementary/Middle School. It has its own unique character and personality and that’s what you love about it. You enjoy teaching and supporting students through these years of growth and change. You like contributing to their academic, social and emotional development during this important developmental stage; setting them up for success in their future. An advocate, a guide and a strong supporter of your students - that’s you. Just as in life outside the classroom, you believe that students with different backgrounds, gender identities, and learning abilities benefit from working together. Supporting your students energizes you. You love coming to school to work with them. You are solution oriented and like to contribute to a positive, enjoyable working environment. 

As a lifelong learner, you are excited by new ideas, professional learning and you enjoy sharing your learning with your colleagues. You understand team dynamics and work well with teams of other educators and with administrators. You are an excellent communicator and see parents as your partners in their child's education. When making decisions, you focus on how we can best serve our students and parents, always looking for a way in which we can make ASH just that extra bit better for them. You recognize that learning is not confined to a classroom or a timetable. You are independent and confident in the classroom. Having an open mind and being able to give and receive constructive feedback is something you pride yourself on. 

You are a certified teacher with a Bachelor's or Master’s degree (preferably) and demonstrate a proven track record of successful experience in education, special education, or a related field. You also have a teaching certification or licensure in special education or a relevant area, which is recognized internationally. Additionally, you have received a specialized training or certification in autism intervention, ADHD management, or neurodiversity education. You have extensive experience working with diverse student populations in international or multicultural settings. You exhibit a strong understanding of international perspectives on special education, inclusive practices, and cultural responsiveness. Communication, collaboration, and intercultural competency skills are no strangers to you. Your ability to adapt teaching strategies and interventions to meet the needs of students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds will be very useful while performing this role. Lastly, you possess a commitment to ongoing professional development and stay abreast of global trends in special education and neurodiversity advocacy. 

Note: This role is designed to meet the unique needs of students with diverse neurodevelopmental profiles within an international school context, where cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and international best practices are essential considerations.

The Role :As a Learning Support Plus Teacher at American School of The Hague, you will play a vital role in providing tailored support and interventions to students with diverse learning needs, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Your responsibilities encompass data collection, intervention planning, direct instruction, and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the holistic development, inclusion and success of all students. 

The Wor k: As a Learning Support Plus Teacher, you will serve as an active member of the Learning Support Team. In terms of data collection, you conduct culturally sensitive school-based assessments to identify the strengths, challenges, and individual needs of students with ASD, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions in an educational setting. You utilize formal diagnostic data along with a range of assessment tools, observations, and consultations with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. You collaborate with colleagues, families, and external specialists to gather comprehensive information and develop personalized support plans for each student. 

When it comes to individualized intervention planning, you will develop individualized education plans (IEPs), behavior support plans, and accommodations in collaboration with the student support team, considering the diverse backgrounds of students and with international best practices. You will further design goals and objectives, in collaboration with the student support team, addressing academic, social-emotional, communication, executive functioning, and sensory needs of students with diverse neurodevelopmental profiles. You will implement and monitor evidence-based strategies and interventions, while also considering cultural nuances and diverse learning styles, to facilitate student progress and success.

In this role you will also carry out direct instruction and therapeutic interventions. You provide differentiated instruction within a multi-tiered system of support to students with diverse learning needs, incorporating international perspectives and multicultural resources. Additionally, you will implement and monitor specialized teaching strategies, behavior interventions, environmental adjustments, and therapeutic techniques to address the unique challenges and strengths of each student. You foster skill development in areas such as academics, social skills, and self-regulation. 

Finally, collaboration, flexibility and consultation are words familiar to you. You will collaborate closely with families, caregivers, educators, and external professionals to develop and implement culturally responsive support plans that honor students' identities and promote inclusivity. You provide consultation and professional development to colleagues on approaches to inclusive education, neurodiversity awareness, and effective teaching practices. You will also collaborate with local and international organizations to access resources and support services that meet the unique needs of students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

In addition you;

build strong relationships with teachers based on mutual trust and strengths, support the planning and implementation of accommodations for students in the classroom that are determined by student need and class content, establish positive, safe, and trusting relationships with students, their families and teachers to foster student progress related to students’ academic needs, actively participate in the Student Support Team, Advisory Program, and other school initiatives, offer ongoing support to faculty, staff, and parents in order to accelerate student growth, actively contribute to a positive school climate and work environment, perform other duties appropriate to the position as assigned by the Learning Support Director.

 *We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the application deadline.

Child Protection and Safety
The American School of The Hague is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.

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