Learning Strategist

About the role

The Learning Strategist works with students with disabilities in 1-1 or small group sessions providing coaching and mentoring techniques to facilitate self-education, and skill development that is specifically designed to meet the student's individual needs.

Responsibilities

• Meets with students with disabilities in a 1:1 or small group session to establish student-directed goals, practice student advocacy and communication skill development, build habits and routines, foster critical self-reflection, explore environmental factors affecting learning and development in the higher education setting, and prepare individualized learning strategies using a disability informed, strengths-based approach.
• Develops and implements teaching active learning strategies to assist with developing metacognitive skills, and uses diverse approaches to information processing such as active reading, note-taking, and the writing process.
• Builds essential communication strategies necessary for self-advocacy with faculty, staff, parents, etc., and encourages the adoption of methods and skill development in the areas of executive functioning, such as organizational techniques and work-load management.
• Utilizes appropriate disability and social justice related theories to inform interactions with students, and models coaching and mentoring approaches for students to apply to academics, disability identity, student development, and student success.
• Manages a diverse caseload of UMASS students with a range of disabilities and accommodation requirements, eligible for Learning Specialist Program support as an approved accommodation.
• Works closely with students and Access Coordinators to address disability-related barriers in academics and student life, during Summer Months when fewer students are enrolled.
• Works with academic departments and Student Success to form partnerships and plan initiatives for the next academic year, and assists students with persistence and retention following withdrawal, incompletes, and re-entry.
• Evaluates and prioritizes case management demands and makes appropriate referrals to campus/community resources.
• Maintains current standards of practice and keeps abreast of new and emerging issues and practices in the field, keeping careful, detailed records of all contacts and sessions including phone calls, faculty contacts, supervisory meetings, correspondence, etc.
• Understands and abides by confidentiality standards of FERPA, ADA, the Disability Services office and the University.
• Supports the general operation of Disability Services and the promotion of broad disability awareness, access, and inclusivity.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships within the work environment and with the campus community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Three (3) Years' Experience Working With Individuals With Disabilities.
• Knowledge of the diverse social, cognitive, and educational needs and characteristics of individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledgeable in various disability-related learning and access issues in higher education settings.
• Working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, the Fair Housing Act, and/or other relevant federal, state, and local laws as applied to the higher education context.
• Understanding characteristics and accommodation requirements of people with a range of disabilities, with a focus on full engagement in campus life.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Established skills in typical office suite software such as Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Teams, and web-based data management systems.