Rainbow Community School is seeking a Middle School Student Support Advocate for the 2025-26 school year. This position works primarily with students in 6th-8th grade identified with learning needs, benefiting from a more personalized learning program. Advocates work one-on-one and in small groups using a multisensory direct instruction approach, primarily Orton Gillingham. They also help modify assignments and engage in differentiated instruction in partnership with the classroom teachers.

The Advocate tracks and monitors data on student progress to help inform education planning. The advocate works as part of a team that typically includes the classroom teachers, school administration, and parents. Advocates are very involved with parents and must be in communication with the student’s family on a weekly basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess students’ skills to determine their needs and work with teachers to develop classroom-wide strategies and individualized Student Support Plans
• Adapt activities, room arrangement, schedules, etc., to meet the needs of students as applicable
• Plan, organize, and model activities that are specific to each student’s abilities
• Teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one
• Monitor progress and update Student Support Plans throughout the year to reflect students’ progress & goals
• Discuss students’ progress with families, teachers, counselors, and school administration
• Work with Asheville City Schools Special Education administrators, or other community resources as applicable
• Assist families when leaving Rainbow with paperwork and copies of Student Support plans, such that students will be given the support needed
• Maintain the safety of children in all situations through the use of supervision and the implementation of various therapeutic techniques
• Conduct observations of children in various settings to gather information on functioning
• Collect and analyze data related to children’s learning and social and emotional development as it relates to enrollment in the Student Support Program
• Attend PD meetings as well as trainings and seminars related to best practices

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, special education, or related field, required; Master’s Degree in related field preferred
• 2-4 years in special education or experience working with students with learning differences or other identified learning needs
• Significant experience in providing a variety of appropriate behavior management techniques with adolescents
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing modification, accommodations, and classroom management strategies
• Experience providing modified instruction that attends to a student’s individualized abilities
• Ability to provide explicit social and emotional instruction within the context of a classroom setting
• Ability to work with linguistically and culturally diverse populations and classroom environments that are representative of that diversity
• Ability to work in various settings and conditions, both inside and outside the classroom
• Orton Gillingham Certified
• A passion for working with youth in the education field.
• Reliably meets deadlines; manages time and attendance well
• Clear, consistent, and respectful verbal and written communication
• Communication with associates in a professional and timely manner
• Interaction with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner
• Demonstrated initiative to provide guidance and assistance to staff in the delivery of high-quality programs and services
• Ability to approach others about sensitive issues in a non-threatening way that fosters an environment conducive to open and transparent communication
• Knowledge of the principles of Adolescent Development
• Highly collaborative, results-oriented, adaptable, problem-solving self-starter
• Upstanding ethics and integrity related to job responsibilities
• Participate in program and/or community events
• Follows the organizational policies and procedures

Compensation:

Salary Range: $43,000-48,000 with a master’s degree plus a $3,900 stipend for health insurance. After one year of employment, an additional 2% is added annually to a 403(b) retirement fund. Tuition remission for children attending Rainbow Community School.

Please send a resume and cover letter to:

Susie Fahrer
Executive Director
Rainbow Community School and Omega Middle School
susie.fahrer@rainbowlearning.org