Thank you for your interest in joining Leap Learning Systems. We are always interested in hearing from talented and motivated individuals interested in becoming part of our team. 

Positions will be posted as they become available, though we also welcome unsolicited applications for possible future openings. If you wish to register your interest in employment with Leap Learning Systems, you may submit your resume and a thoughtfully crafted cover letter via fax to: (312) 578-1280.  Please note that we are unable to respond to phone inquiries about the status of applications. Leap Learning Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Looking to get started right away? A great place to start your involvement with our organization is through our Volunteer Program. Please visit our Volunteer page to complete a volunteer application and learn about current opportunities for involvement.

2010- 2011 Clinical Fellowship Year Opportunity

If you are interested in language and literacy and want the opportunity to have an absolutely unique clinical fellowship year – then give Leap Learning Systems a closer look.  The supervisory team at Leap can help ensure that you meet all of the requirements of CFY training and gain the practical experience needed. 

Leap Learning Systems is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to results-driven language and literacy development. Leap Learning Systems’ programs are proven to accelerate self-confidence and fulfillment in children, parents and educators.  Founded by Dr. Catherine Gottfred and her colleague Dr. John Lybolt working with children in Chicago's struggling Cabrini-Green neighborhood, they targeted the major language gap and significant academic and social consequences that existed.  

Their work helped children and young adults develop language and literacy skills that helped better prepare them to start or be successful in school, or to deal with the many emotional challenges presented by their environment. Over the past 20 years Leap's impact and program reach has grown to include the training of teachers, tutors educators and students at all levels

Qualifications for the successful applicant must include but are not limited to: Be a graduate from an accredited program for Speech-Language Pathology; possess and maintain a current license in the state of IL as required; meet all local regulations that allow work to be performed in a public school and with young children; pass post-offer drug test and post-offer employment physical exam if required; have reliable transportation to travel between locations as needed; possess strong computer skills.   

Other qualifications will include ability to problem-solve, good time management and organizational skills, ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, strong work ethic and team work.   

Professional Development Assitant

The Leap Professional Development Assistant (PDA) is primarily responsible for assisting a Professional Development Coach (PDC) with the design and delivery of training programs that support Leap’s core literacy and language development goals and objectives. Delivery methods will include instructor-led programs, group facilitation, and one-on-one coaching to both new and existing program partners. Subject matter will focus on literacy and language development programs in a wide variety of learning environments including early childhood, elementary, high school and after school.
The PDA is also responsible for assisting with measuring and evaluating the impact of training and providing instruction to other program contributors such as volunteers. The PDA may be partnered with a team to do work such as: needs assessments, program change initiatives, design and implement appropriate interventions including systems, processes, tools and training.
The PDA may also develop training content, program aids, and interventions for organization-wide learning projects and initiatives. Consult with subject matter experts and internal stake holders to create and deliver learning materials, and create high-quality, performance-driven training programs.

Primary Tasks

• Support PDC during classroom presentations and workshops.
• Understand the objectives for all lessons and projects, and be able to communicate those objectives to participants.
• Understand the objectives for all lessons and projects, and be able to communicate those objectives to participants.
• In accordance with Leap training standards, adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet client varying needs and interests.
• Prepare course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
• Monitor participants' performance in order to make suggestions for improvement, and to ensure that they satisfy course and program standards, training requirements, and objectives.
• Observe participants to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
• Keep abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

Knowledge

• Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Client Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing high quality client service. This includes client needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Psychology — Basic knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation.
• Sociology — Basic knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, ethnicity and cultures.
• Computers — Moderate knowledge of computer software, including MS Office and Outlook.

Skills

• Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Abilities

• Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

General Physical Activities

• The PDA is required to do considerable physical activity including use of arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as lifting (up to 30 lbs), walking, stooping, climbing stairs and handling of materials.

 

No phone calls please.  Interested parties should send a cover letter, resume, and copy of transcripts to:

Michael Levesque, Executive Director

Michael@leaplearningsystems.org