K-8 Strong Start Specialist Student Mentor (work from home) - Vacancy ID: 253350
Vacancy Details
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Position Details
Wisconsin Virtual Academies provides families with an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. Our students thrive in an environment that encourages discovery, growth, and connection—at their own pace. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and respect, where educators and staff are passionate about serving students and families and continually strive to do better.
Position Summary
The Strong Start Specialist & Student Mentor plays a critical role in ensuring new and continuing students experience a successful transition into virtual learning and sustained engagement throughout the school year. This role serves as a single point of contact for non-instructional support, providing onboarding, mentoring, monitoring, and family engagement for students in grades K–8.
This position blends new student onboarding (Strong Start) with ongoing mentoring and student support, partnering closely with families, teachers, administrators, and operations teams to remove barriers to learning and strengthen student connection, attendance, and persistence.
This is a full-time, year-round remote position, typically working Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with flexibility as approved by administrator
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Essential Functions & Responsibilities
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Serve as the primary non-instructional point of contact for new and assigned students and their Learning Coaches.
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Facilitate a structured Strong Start onboarding experience to ensure students and families are prepared for virtual learning.
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Assess student readiness, including technology access and system logins.
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Create and deliver onboarding materials and live virtual orientation sessions via Canvas.
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Monitor attendance, participation, and engagement; conduct outreach to late-starting or disengaged students and families.
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Document onboarding completion, student concerns, and interventions in tracking systems.
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Provide follow-up resources and individualized support as needed.
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Serve as a liaison between students, families, teachers, and school teams to address non-instructional needs.
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Maintain regular communication and mentoring for students on an assigned caseload.
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Develop and monitor Student Support Plans and facilitate conferences as needed.
- Two (2) years of college and
- Two (2) years of experience in education or
- An equivalent combination of education and related experience
- Ability to pass all required background checks and clearances for employment in a Wisconsin state school
Required Skills & Competencies
- Strong presentation, facilitation, and organizational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, families, and school staff
- Strong problem-solving and independent judgment skills
- Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Integrity, professionalism, and commitment to confidentiality
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based tools
- Ability to quickly learn and apply new technology platforms
- Ability to travel up to 10% within assigned geographic areas, as needed
Compensation & Benefits Notice
- Year-round position with the following time off:
- 20 days Discretionary Leave
- Winter Break, Spring Break, Thanksgiving Break
- Federal Holidays (as prescribed)
- This position is not employed by the McFarland School District and does not include district benefits (e.g., WRS).
- Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Bonuses
- Computer, printer, phone, and $50/month internet stipend
Candidate Requirements
- Cover Letter
- Resume