6-8 Special Education Coordinator (Immediate) - Neighborhood Charter Schools

Neighborhood Charter Schools - Mission

Our mission is to provide the children of NCS with new educational opportunities through a rigorous, comprehensive K-8 program that cultivates the intellectual, social, and emotional development of each child. Our students, who will include Autistic children, will become independent learners and critical thinkers, will acquire the academic skills that they need to succeed in college preparatory high schools, and will exhibit the social and emotional skills that will allow them to reach their full potential.

The Opportunity

The Special Education Coordinator is a school-based leader responsible for ensuring the success and fidelity of the special education program at their school. This includes responsibility around ensuring that students with disabilities at their school site are provided with effective interventions and that teachers are utilizing data-based decisions to identify, change, and implement interventions for those scholars. They will ensure that all teachers have knowledge and skills on best practices, as well as the ability to create an inclusive environment at their school. The Special Education Coordinator is also responsible for being the liaison between families, staff, and the Committee on Special Education in order to ensure that all students with IEPs are receiving their mandated services. This is a 12-month position.

Special Education Compliance Management 

• Ensure special education program compliance with all applicable district, state, and federal regulations and standards
• Analyze IEPs and most recent reports for newly enrolled students with special needs
• Write/manage 504 plans for students who require specific accommodations due to medical diagnoses
• Collaborate with school staff and Committee on Special Education to ensure that all students are receiving the mandated services on their IEP

Student Systems and Support 

• Develop a strong understanding of the needs of every student with an IEP and provide strategies to staff to ensure students are getting the supports indicated on their IEP
• Manage caseloads and parent communication
• Collaborate with curriculum teams
• Work with school staff to coordinate testing schedules to accommodations are provided as mandated
• Participate in all disciplinary communication regarding students with disabilities
• Support the school-based and Network staff with behavior plans & supports for all students with special needs, including students identified as needing Tier III support plans (and Tier II as needed)

Staff Development and Support 

• Lead professional development for teachers and leaders around best practices for students with disabilities, IEP writing, progress monitoring, etc.
• Train, observe, and provide feedback to school staff, paraprofessionals, and families on the implementation and development of IEPs to enhance instructional capacity 
• Observe and provide feedback and coaching to teachers around delivering high-level interventions and accommodations
• Provide resources to teachers to support the implementation of interventions
• Respond to and support with crisis behaviors as needed

Partnership and Coordination Management 

• Attend student IEP meetings to provide information on strategies, services, and to answer family concerns about programming 
• Collaborate with teachers, leaders, families, and Special Education staff to create Individualized Education Plans and review individual students’ needs 
• Include all applicable IEP team members when scheduling meetings and provide all members with advanced notice of meeting
• Provide resources and support to families of students with IEPs 
• Collaborate with assigned agency(ies) and the Committee on Special Education to ensure all mandated are assigned a paraprofessional 
• Manage paraprofessional onboarding, attendance, and professionalism for paraprofessionals
• Present weekly program and service updates to the Director of Special Education, including information pertaining to regulations, observations, meetings, and development of individual/department goals 
• Provide administrative support to the Director of Special Education and other leaders as necessary 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• NY State SWD certification preferred 
• Proven effectiveness as a special education teacher, leader, and/or service provider for at least five years
• Proven track record of successfully differentiating instruction for a diverse set of learners
• Strong knowledge of best practices for students with disabilities, including Autistic students
• A commitment to contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive setting 
• Strong leadership skills; high levels of emotional intelligence
• Strong data analysis skills
• Familiarity with academic State Standards
• Ability to run strong adult professional development sessions
• Ability to cultivate partnerships in the community and beyond 
• Deep commitment to education and academic achievement
• Creative problem-solver and systems thinker 
• Ability to work productively with all stakeholders
• Strong organizational and time management skills

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