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>Lately I have seen ads for "learning specialist" positions in
>private middle and high schools. The ads call for teaching study
>skills, remediation, and working with faculty to plan
>interventions. They did not specify professional background
>required (e.g. training in reading or learning disabilities). Is
>anyone on the listserv familiar with this type of position, either
>through your own work or in schools your children attend? If so,
>I would appreciate answers to the following questions:
...Does anyone on the listserv work as a learning specialist in a
>college program? If so, what is your background and
>what kind of situations do you work with?
>
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The University of Texas system has official job descriptions for learning
specialists at four levels: I, II, III & IV. Here at the Learning Skills
Center,there are eleven LS's on staff with background specialities of:
reading,
writing, learning disabilities, math, science and adult education. All
have a minimum of a Master's degree, though many have Ph.D.'s. The mission
of the Center is to offer support resources to all students to help them
become academically successful.
The LS I & II's functions are mainly walk-in academic counseling to
students and the teaching of study strategies, writing, math or reading
skill classes. The LS III & IV's also counsel and teach, but have advanced
supervisory and research responsibilites.
The LS III & IV's oversee a specific program area, such as supplemental
instruction, campus services (outreach to university classes, dorms,
organizations, etc. where specific study skills are taught), tutoring,
learning labs, etc. The LS III's & IV's have student paraprofessionals
working with them to accomplish their program goals and objectives.
Individual appointments are made for students to see a LS based on the area
of expertise of that LS.
Our campus service and supplemental instruction programs interact the most
with faculty. Campus services sends out letters to faculty teaching
entry-level courses informing them about the Center and indicating that we
would be happy to come and talk to their class about the Center or to teach
a skill that would be relevent to the content of their class, e.g., how to
study math or science, writing an essay, testtaking, etc.
We also consult with faculty about their student learning concerns. We
usually have the faculty member refer the student(s) to our center.
Additionally, we offer presentations on specific skills, student learning
concerns, how to refer students to the Center, etc. through faculty
workshops sponsored by our Center for Teaching Effectivness.
I hope this helps.
Denise McGinty Swann
Director, Learning Skills Center
Jester A332
101 E. 21st St.
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78705
wk: (512) 471-3614
fax: (512) 475-6838
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http://www.utexas.edu/student/lsc
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