Student Development Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Student Support: Assist with delivering/facilitating academic instruction, providing individualized academic and social-emotional instruction and support aligned with students' home school curriculum and personalized learning plans.
• Implement individualized behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions.
• Facilitate group activities, including daily circles and mindfulness exercises.
• Provide real-time progress monitoring and coaching for each student throughout the day.
• Model and co-regulate with students, reinforcing emotional safety and self-regulation strategies.

Therapeutic Intervention Implementation

• Support the implementation of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) through collaborative problem-solving conversations with students.
• Integrate DBT-informed skills training (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) into daily interactions and lessons.
• Utilize and guide students in "Calm Down Corners" or "Zones of Regulation."
• Lead daily Highfive 25-day curriculum Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons and facilitate behavior reflections.
• Apply restorative justice techniques when conflicts or rule violations occur, focusing on repairing harm and building accountability.

Collaboration & Communication

• Actively participate in regular Highfive staff meetings to review student cases and share feedback.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, Program Case Manager, and site staff to ensure IEP/504 accommodations, progress monitoring, entrance/exit criteria, inclusion/transition plans are met.
• Engage with families through daily communication and support the implementation of home-based strategies.
• Work closely with the Program Director and other team members to ensure consistent application of the Highfive model.

School-wide Community Engagement

• Collaborate with teachers to support academic growth and strengthen staff–student relationships.
• Partner with administrators and staff to create a comprehensive student support network within the school.
• Participate in school events and activities to foster a strong sense of community and connection with students.

Logistics

• Full-time role: Working hours follow the regular school day schedule of the assigned school site within the School District. This position is 12-month and the Appoquinimink School District annual calendar is followed. Highfive provides 15 PTO days in addition to district holidays and breaks including winter and spring break.
• Part-time role: Working hours will be determined to meet the needs of the program and the school site, with a maximum of 29 hours per week. This is a non-benefited role.
• Both roles may require flexible scheduling to attend meetings before or after school, professional development, or support critical student needs.

Qualifications

• A Delaware para-professional certification is a minimum criteria, along with ideally 3+ years of experience in an educational or therapeutic support role.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care and restorative practices.
• Experience working with students in need of intensive behavioral and emotional support.
• Ability to implement academic and therapeutic interventions effectively.
• Ability to collect academic and behavioral data and to report data in a time sensitive manner.
• Strong communication, empathy, and relationship-building skills.
• Capacity to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.