The Role of the Learning Support Specialist at MSSA
While Montessori education supports diverse learning styles and self-paced learning, sometimes extra strategies or accommodations are needed. The Learning Support Specialist helps teachers identify and support students with unique needs in the classroom, and also assists parents by connecting them with helpful resources and strategies for their child.
Sumi Chaudhuri
Sumi Chaudhuri is MSSA’s Learning Support Specialist. She is a Montessori Primary and Elementary credentialed teacher, and she has spent 20 years in the classroom. Sumi has completed MACAR (Montessori Applied to Children at Risk) training and holds the Montessori Inclusion Endorsement from the American Montessori Society. She is currently completing her training to be both a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) and and a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) through the Shelton School in Dallas. We are thrilled to see Ms. Sumi bring her passion and expertise to this important role.
Contact Sumi Chaudhuri at schaudhuri@montesssorisa.org
What does an LSS do?
- The LSS analyzes psychoeducational evaluations and summarizes findings for faculty, including accommodation recommendations.
- The LSS is the first point of contact for submission of diagnoses.
- The LSS Works with teachers to provide information to parents about student performance, and refer families to evaluators, tutors or other learning supports, as needed.
Who receives accommodations?
For any type of accommodation, the parent must contact the Learning Support Specialist. The Learning Support Specialist will advise the parent of the type of medical documentation needed, which generally will state the student’s diagnosis, how the condition limits the student, the recommended accommodations, and the length of time that the accommodations will be needed.