{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"ecb82340cd435d660e1ed84a","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/ecb82340cd435d660e1ed84a","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/ecb82340cd435d660e1ed84a","title":"Student Development Specialist","description":"Highfive GPS Student Development Specialist\nPosition Summary\nHighfive is seeking mission driven individuals who have a passion for supporting students in difficult behavioral circumstances. The Student Development Specialist and Assistant roles provide direct, trauma-informed therapeutic and academic support to students within Highfive’s GPS Program classroom setting . They play a crucial role in bridging academic instruction with emotional and behavioral support, fostering a safe and restorative learning environment.\nHighfive is contracted by Appoquinimink School District to run GPS (Growth, Progress, Support), which is a 25-Day In-School Alternative Program. These individuals will ensure high-quality, data-driven, compliant, and student-centered services for students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Multiple full-time and part-time roles are available.\nReports to: Executive Program Director\nDirect Reports: None\nRole Types Available: Full-Time (Salary) and Part-Time 29 hours per week maximum (Hourly):\nTerm: 12 months, option to continue\nLocation: Appoquinimink School District - Middletown, DE (Openings are available at both Middletown High and Odessa High School)\nGrowth, Purpose, Success (GPS) Program Summary:\nThe 25-Day Program is a Highfive-designed program that creates a time-limited, goal-oriented, intensive, and specialized therapeutic and behavioral-focused setting. In this classroom we help students build the skills they need to feel safe, focused, and ready to transition for success. We work closely with families and the school to support each step. This is not a punishment. It is a Leadership Academy for students who need additional support. Our goal is Agency. We prepare each student for successful reintegration into their home classrooms , equipped with the skills to significantly improve their behavior\nKey Responsibilities:\n1. Direct Student Support:\nAssist with delivering/facilitating academic instruction, providing individualized academic and social-emotional instruction and support aligned with students' home school curriculum and personalized learning plans.\nImplement individualized behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions.\nFacilitate group activities, including daily circles and mindfulness exercises.\nProvide real-time progress monitoring and coaching for each student throughout the day.\nModel and co-regulate with students, reinforcing emotional safety and self-regulation strategies.\n2. Therapeutic Intervention Implementation:\nSupport the implementation of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) through collaborative problem-solving conversations with students.\nIntegrate DBT-informed skills training (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) into daily interactions and lessons.\nUtilize and guide students in \"Calm Down Corners\" or \"Zones of Regulation.\"\nLead daily Highfive 25-day curriculum Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons and facilitate behavior reflections.\nApply restorative justice techniques when conflicts or rule violations occur, focusing on repairing harm and building accountability.\n3. Collaboration & Communication:\nActively participate in regular Highfive staff meetings to review student cases and share feedback.\nCollaborate with the Program Director, Program Case Manager, and site staff to ensure IEP/504 accommodations, progress monitoring, entrance/exit criteria, inclusion/transition plans are met.\nEngage with families through daily communication and support the implementation of home-based strategies.\nWork closely with the Program Director and other team members to ensure consistent application of the Highfive model\n4. School-wide Community Engagement:\nCollaborate with teachers to support academic growth and strengthen staff–student relationships.\nPartner with administrators and staff to create a comprehensive student support network within the school.\nParticipate in school events and activities to foster a strong sense of community and connection with students.\nLogistics:\nFull-time role: Working hours follow the regular school day schedule of the assigned school site within the School District.\nThis position is 12-month and the Appoquinimink School District annual calendar is followed. Highfive provides 15 PTO days in addition to district holidays and breaks including winter and spring break.\nPart-time role: Working hours will be determined to meet the needs of the program and the school site, with a maximum of 29 hours per week.\nThis is a non-benefited role.\nBoth roles may require flexible scheduling to attend meetings before or after school, professional development, or support critical student needs.\nLaptop will be provided by the School District.\nQualifications:\nA Delaware para-professional certification is a minimum criteria, along with ideally 3+ years of experience in an educational or therapeutic support role.\nDemonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care and restorative practices.\nExperience working with students in need of intensive behavioral and emotional support.\nAbility to implement academic and therapeutic interventions effectively.\nAbility to collect academic and behavioral data and to report data in a time sensitive manner.\nStrong communication, empathy, and relationship-building skills.\nCapacity to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.\nWork Environment & Expectations\nThis is a highly collaborative role requiring strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment. We expect the candidate to uphold Highfive values and represent the company positively, to engage in staff and student professionally, and to collaborate as needed for the highest likelihood of student outcomes.\nThis role requires the ability to develop and maintain a classroom centered around belonging, inclusion, safety, and student wellbeing.\nIf you’re interested in this role, please send your resume and cover letter to brynn@highfive.school\nWork Location: In person","company":"Highfive","rawCompany":"highfive","city":"Middletown","state":"DE","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-14T07:38:47.775Z","occupations":[{"code":"25-9043.00","title":"Teaching Assistants, Special Education","slug":"teaching-assistants-special-education"},{"code":"21-1099.00","title":"Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other","slug":"community-and-social-service-specialists-all-other"},{"code":"25-9042.00","title":"Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education","slug":"teaching-assistants-preschool-elementary-middle-and-secondary-school-except-special-education"}],"industries":[{"code":"611710","title":"Educational Support Services","slug":"educational-support-services"},{"code":"611110","title":"Elementary and Secondary Schools","slug":"elementary-and-secondary-schools"},{"code":"624110","title":"Child and Youth Services","slug":"child-and-youth-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Student Development Specialist","description":"Highfive GPS Student Development Specialist\nPosition Summary\nHighfive is seeking mission driven individuals who have a passion for supporting students in difficult behavioral circumstances. The Student Development Specialist and Assistant roles provide direct, trauma-informed therapeutic and academic support to students within Highfive’s GPS Program classroom setting . They play a crucial role in bridging academic instruction with emotional and behavioral support, fostering a safe and restorative learning environment.\nHighfive is contracted by Appoquinimink School District to run GPS (Growth, Progress, Support), which is a 25-Day In-School Alternative Program. These individuals will ensure high-quality, data-driven, compliant, and student-centered services for students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Multiple full-time and part-time roles are available.\nReports to: Executive Program Director\nDirect Reports: None\nRole Types Available: Full-Time (Salary) and Part-Time 29 hours per week maximum (Hourly):\nTerm: 12 months, option to continue\nLocation: Appoquinimink School District - Middletown, DE (Openings are available at both Middletown High and Odessa High School)\nGrowth, Purpose, Success (GPS) Program Summary:\nThe 25-Day Program is a Highfive-designed program that creates a time-limited, goal-oriented, intensive, and specialized therapeutic and behavioral-focused setting. In this classroom we help students build the skills they need to feel safe, focused, and ready to transition for success. We work closely with families and the school to support each step. This is not a punishment. It is a Leadership Academy for students who need additional support. Our goal is Agency. We prepare each student for successful reintegration into their home classrooms , equipped with the skills to significantly improve their behavior\nKey Responsibilities:\n1. Direct Student Support:\nAssist with delivering/facilitating academic instruction, providing individualized academic and social-emotional instruction and support aligned with students' home school curriculum and personalized learning plans.\nImplement individualized behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions.\nFacilitate group activities, including daily circles and mindfulness exercises.\nProvide real-time progress monitoring and coaching for each student throughout the day.\nModel and co-regulate with students, reinforcing emotional safety and self-regulation strategies.\n2. Therapeutic Intervention Implementation:\nSupport the implementation of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) through collaborative problem-solving conversations with students.\nIntegrate DBT-informed skills training (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) into daily interactions and lessons.\nUtilize and guide students in \"Calm Down Corners\" or \"Zones of Regulation.\"\nLead daily Highfive 25-day curriculum Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons and facilitate behavior reflections.\nApply restorative justice techniques when conflicts or rule violations occur, focusing on repairing harm and building accountability.\n3. Collaboration & Communication:\nActively participate in regular Highfive staff meetings to review student cases and share feedback.\nCollaborate with the Program Director, Program Case Manager, and site staff to ensure IEP/504 accommodations, progress monitoring, entrance/exit criteria, inclusion/transition plans are met.\nEngage with families through daily communication and support the implementation of home-based strategies.\nWork closely with the Program Director and other team members to ensure consistent application of the Highfive model\n4. School-wide Community Engagement:\nCollaborate with teachers to support academic growth and strengthen staff–student relationships.\nPartner with administrators and staff to create a comprehensive student support network within the school.\nParticipate in school events and activities to foster a strong sense of community and connection with students.\nLogistics:\nFull-time role: Working hours follow the regular school day schedule of the assigned school site within the School District.\nThis position is 12-month and the Appoquinimink School District annual calendar is followed. Highfive provides 15 PTO days in addition to district holidays and breaks including winter and spring break.\nPart-time role: Working hours will be determined to meet the needs of the program and the school site, with a maximum of 29 hours per week.\nThis is a non-benefited role.\nBoth roles may require flexible scheduling to attend meetings before or after school, professional development, or support critical student needs.\nLaptop will be provided by the School District.\nQualifications:\nA Delaware para-professional certification is a minimum criteria, along with ideally 3+ years of experience in an educational or therapeutic support role.\nDemonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care and restorative practices.\nExperience working with students in need of intensive behavioral and emotional support.\nAbility to implement academic and therapeutic interventions effectively.\nAbility to collect academic and behavioral data and to report data in a time sensitive manner.\nStrong communication, empathy, and relationship-building skills.\nCapacity to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.\nWork Environment & Expectations\nThis is a highly collaborative role requiring strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment. We expect the candidate to uphold Highfive values and represent the company positively, to engage in staff and student professionally, and to collaborate as needed for the highest likelihood of student outcomes.\nThis role requires the ability to develop and maintain a classroom centered around belonging, inclusion, safety, and student wellbeing.\nIf you’re interested in this role, please send your resume and cover letter to brynn@highfive.school\nWork Location: In person","datePosted":"2026-07-14T07:38:47.775Z","dateModified":"2026-07-14T07:38:47.775Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Highfive","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Middletown","addressRegion":"DE","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"ecb82340cd435d660e1ed84a"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/ecb82340cd435d660e1ed84a"}}