Learning Support Specialist (Writing & ELL) Job at National Louis University in

Overview:

Who We Are:

National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.

What We Offer:

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Benefits.

What You Will Do:

The Learning Support Specialist (Writing & ELL) plays a critical role in supporting NLU students by encouraging students to take an active role in their education and empowering them to become independent, lifelong learners. The primary responsibility is to tutor students in the fundamental skills of writing, grammar, reading, APA formatting, and other academic skills at the Chicago and/or Wheeling campus and online. The Learning Support Specialist (Writing & ELL) will focus on tutoring a diverse student body, particularly multilingual students whose first language is not English, to increase reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking competencies and outcomes related to their courses. Tutoring occurs through one-on-one appointments and in small workshops utilizing various modes, including in-person, by phone, as well as via email and video conferencing software. The Learning Support Specialist (Writing & ELL) will help monitor and communicate the progress of student writing and reading skills, reach out to and support at-risk students, particularly multilingual/ELL students, and accurately track student tutoring usage. The Learning Support Specialist responsibilities also include scheduled hours in Study Tables to ensure seamless access to resources for students and promoting Study Table and Learning Support offerings with faculty and other stakeholders. Finally, the Learning Support Specialist (Writing & ELL) will support faculty and students in writing intensive courses. The Learning Support Specialist (Writing & ELL) must tailor their tutoring support for students whose native languages and English-speaking and writing abilities are varied.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Tutor for general education and English courses in 1-on-1 and small group settings to assist with coursework, particularly as regards to writing assignments, presentations, and reading assignments.
• Provide students with learning strategies to develop general academic skills such as APA formatting, note-taking, study strategies, time management, and critical thinking.
• Provide writing support for major courses with substantial writing components, review drop-off essays and assignments and support the department's projects.
• Monitor and report student progress and usage of tutoring services.
• Collaborate with faculty to support at-risk students, particularly those whose first language is not English.
• Conduct class visits at the beginning of each term and by request, respond to faculty alerts, and provide embedded support in online and blended courses.
• Create and present writing and English language-focused workshops/webinars to support students in their English and writing intensive classes to improve their academic skills.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Linguistics, English, Education or Curriculum & Instruction and previous experience working with ELL/multilingual learners.
• 1-3 years of experience teaching or tutoring in diverse modalities (hybrid/blended, online).
• 1-3 years of prior teaching or tutoring experience in writing and knowledge of writing pedagogy and instructional practice, particularly in writing and reading for multilingual/ELL students.
• 1-3 years of experience with students of diverse backgrounds and abilities; specific knowledge of the needs of multilingual, ELL, and multidialectal students.
• Written Communication Skills: Writes clearly and concisely when sharing or documenting information. Uses words or terms that all readers are likely to understand and invites people to ask questions if any aspect of a written document is confusing or unclear. Uses good judgment about what to put in writing versus what should be shared in a conversation or presentation.
• Demonstrating Content Knowledge & Curriculum: Stays up-to-date on the subject matter, making certain that presented material is accessible, answers student questions, and reflects current trends in the field of supporting ELL/multilingual students. Stresses and highlights the most important points and concepts. Experience with differentiating curriculum for ELL/multilingual students highly preferred.
• Quality of Work: Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high quality work and encourages others to have similar standards.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

Special Instructions:
Please Include the following along with your application:
- Resume (Required)
- Cover Letter (Optional)
NLU Employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form