SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Bricolage Academy aims to be the highest-performing non-selective school in New Orleans. We believe all students deserve access to rigorous, inclusive learning environments and the individualized supports necessary to achieve at high levels.

The objective of the Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) is to provide high-quality prevention, assessment, intervention, and remediation services for students who exhibit difficulties in speech, language, voice, fluency, and communication development. Speech and language services should be designed to remove barriers to learning, increase students’ access to the general education curriculum, and help students achieve their educational and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.

The Speech and Language Pathologist works collaboratively with teachers, special education staff, school leaders, families, and other related service providers to ensure students receive appropriate, evidence-based services in the least restrictive environment.

DUTIES

Specifically, the Speech and Language Pathologist at Bricolage Academy will be responsible for the following:

Speech and Language Services

• Plan, schedule, organize, and deliver a comprehensive speech and language program that addresses identified student needs and IEP goals.
• Provide evidence-based speech and language interventions to individual students and small groups.
• Provide services through appropriate delivery models, including pull-out, push-in/inclusion, consultation, and other models determined appropriate based on student needs and the least restrictive environment (LRE).
• Develop and implement interventions addressing areas including articulation, receptive and expressive language, pragmatic/social communication, fluency, voice, and other communication-related needs.
• Coordinate speech and language services with teachers, special education staff, interventionists, and other related service providers to maximize student progress.
• Adapt therapy and intervention strategies based on student response, progress-monitoring data, developmental needs, and educational goals.
• Support teachers and other school personnel in implementing classroom strategies and accommodations that improve students’ communication and access to instruction.

Evaluation and Eligibility

• Conduct appropriate speech and language screenings, evaluations, and assessments using valid and reliable assessment instruments and procedures.
• Analyze and interpret assessment information to make recommendations regarding students’ eligibility and need for speech and language services.
• Integrate data from formal assessments, classroom observations, student work, teacher and family input, intervention data, and other appropriate sources when determining student needs.
• Determine the educational impact of identified speech and language impairments, including the extent to which communication needs affect a student’s ability to access and make progress in the general education curriculum.
• Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports and clearly communicate assessment results and recommendations to families, teachers, administrators, and IEP teams.
• Participate in initial evaluations, reevaluations, screenings, and other special education evaluation processes within required timelines.

Individualized Education Programs

• Develop appropriate, measurable, and individualized speech and language goals based on each student’s identified strengths and needs.
• Schedule, participate in, and, when appropriate, facilitate IEP meetings in collaboration with appropriate school personnel and families.
• Provide accurate information regarding students’ present levels of performance, progress, goals, accommodations, service minutes, and other speech and language considerations during IEP development.
• Implement speech and language services in accordance with each student’s IEP, including required frequency, duration, location, and service delivery model.
• Monitor student progress toward IEP goals and adjust interventions based on data and student response.
• Complete progress reports and other required documentation within established school, district, state, and federal timelines.

Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain accurate and current records of all speech and language services, evaluations, screenings, interventions, progress monitoring, and student outcomes.
• Maintain service logs and other documentation necessary to demonstrate that services required by students’ IEPs have been provided.
• Complete documentation necessary for Medicaid reimbursement or other applicable reimbursement programs, when required.
• Maintain confidential student records and ensure information is accessible only to authorized school personnel in accordance with applicable laws and school policies.
• Prepare and submit reports according to Bricolage Academy, NOLA Public Schools, Louisiana Department of Education, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Maintain organized data systems that support instructional planning, compliance monitoring, progress monitoring, and decision-making.
• Ensure speech and language services comply with applicable provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, Louisiana requirements, and Bricolage Academy policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of special education and related-services procedures in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.

Collaboration and Student Support

• Cooperate and collaborate with school personnel to accomplish the goals and objectives of Bricolage Academy’s special education program.
• Work closely with general education teachers, special education teachers, Associate Teachers, interventionists, school leaders, and other related service providers to support students across educational settings.
• Collaborate with families to help them understand their child’s communication needs, progress, and strategies that can support continued development.
• Participate in Student Assistance Team (SAT), multidisciplinary, special education, curriculum, or other school-based teams and committees as appropriate.
• Consult with teachers regarding classroom accommodations, instructional strategies, communication supports, and interventions for students with identified or suspected speech and language needs.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary problem-solving and ensure speech and language considerations are appropriately incorporated into decisions regarding student programming.
• Advocate for inclusive practices that allow students with communication disabilities to participate meaningfully in the general education environment.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, dependability, and ethical conduct.
• Establish positive, respectful, and productive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community partners.
• Maintain required professional licenses, certifications, and credentials.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and continuing education related to speech, language, communication, special education, and evidence-based educational practices.
• Stay current regarding research, best practices, legal requirements, and emerging strategies related to school-based speech-language pathology.
• Participate in schoolwide professional development, staff meetings, special education meetings, and other required meetings and activities.
• Contribute positively to Bricolage Academy’s professional culture and demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, educational equity, and high expectations for all students.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to the position as assigned by school leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• A demonstrated love for children and belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Current Louisiana licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist, or eligibility to obtain the required Louisiana license prior to beginning employment.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), or eligibility to obtain certification as applicable.
• Knowledge of speech and language development, assessment, intervention, and evidence-based therapeutic practices.
• Knowledge of special education processes, including evaluation, eligibility determination, IEP development, progress monitoring, and service delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage a caseload while consistently meeting service, evaluation, documentation, and compliance deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, teachers, school leaders, and multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred

• Previous pediatric speech-language pathology experience.
• Previous experience as a Speech and Language Pathologist in a school setting.
• Experience working with PreK–8 students.
• Experience developing and implementing IEPs.
• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, Louisiana special education requirements, and school-based related services.
• Experience working with students from diverse academic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience providing services through both direct and inclusive/consultative models.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Bricolage Academy does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

I can also make this more competitive as a recruitment posting by adding a “Why Bricolage?” section, compensation/benefits language, work calendar, reporting structure, and a stronger opening that would appeal specifically to experienced school-based SLPs.