Assistant Manager of Special Education - KIPP St. Louis Public Schools

Position Overview

The Assistant Manager of Special Education (AMSE) will oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education needs. The AMSE will work with school leaders to ensure that KIPP St. Louis schools operate in compliance with district, state and federal guidelines and provide appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students receiving special education services. This will include management of the IEP process, communication with parents, engagement with related service providers throughout the state and compliant operation with special education law and procedures at all times. The AMSE reports to the Manager of Special Education and will work out of the regional shared services office in Delmar Divine,  but will frequently travel to various school sites throughout the city.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission, vision, and equity statement.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

Equity Statement: KIPP St. Louis is committed to becoming an anti-racist and anti-sexist organization by confronting inequities, barriers, and oppressive policies and systems.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and at full growth, we will educate nearly 3,600 students and hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of two middle schools, three elementary schools, and a high school. 

On the day-to-day basis, you can look forward to the following:

Special Education Compliance

• Oversee procedures for placement, initial evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students in special education to comply with state and federal requirements.
• Oversee and manage special education information system data to ensure that staff and student records, timelines and IEP data are in compliance with IDEA,  the state of Missouri and district special education policies.
• Direct staff as necessary in the design and development of complex IEPs.  Facilitate complex or contentious IEP meetings with parents, teachers, school leaders, advocates or attorneys, and agency representatives to plan strategies and interventions which address specific educational and behavioral needs of special education students.
• Represent KIPP St. Louis in out-of-district and private placements and serve as the LEA representative for IEP/Manifestation Determination/Eligibility meetings as assigned by the Manager of Special Education
• Administer a variety of tests as assigned by the VP of Student Services.
• Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies.
• Progress Monitoring and Data Collection; maintain accurate progress reporting for all IEPs
• Ensure IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards -based, strength-based and relevant to individual students. Provide Feedback to Special Education teachers on their case management processes
• Communicate with school leadership teams and track suspensions of scholars with IEPs. Communicate suspension with case managers and ensure all manifestation meetings occur appropriately
• Other duties as assigned.

Coordination of Programs

• Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment.
• Promote effective communication with staff, parents, and administration as related to KIPP St. Louis’ special programs.
•  Support in the creation of quarterly and annual reports on student outcomes for school leaders and regional stakeholders.
• Collaborates on School Special Education Scheduling. Updates and maintains school special education schedules (speech and language, all special education teachers, paraprofessionals, OT, PT). 
• Maintains central Special Ed Information Database for all schools in Spedtrack.
• Other duties as assigned.

Support the development of school-based special education teams

• Works with the Manager of Sped to monitor Special Ed paperwork including making corrections and adjustments based on quarterly audits completed by the region
• Plan, implement, and evaluate special education department events and professional development activities. 
• Communicates frequently and works with supplemental service providers (OT, PT, SLP, paraprofessionals, any others) to ensure minutes are being met at a high level
• Meets weekly with the Manager of Special Education to ensure communication is streamlined from school to region. AMSE and MSE discuss any and all cases, scholars, situations, and progress related to special education scholars, families and staff
• Support in the interviewing, onboarding, and continued training of new special education team members.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table: 

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Certification in Special Education required; Administrative and/or Diagnostician certification a plus
• Strong understanding of all federal, state and local requirements associated with special education
• 1+ years of managerial experience preferred
• A passion for working with students in the city of St. Louis and a desire to provide whatever resources are necessary to ensure that all students will succeed.
• Commitment to doing whatever it takes, whenever it needs to be done, to empower our students to be successful.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage a wide array of relationships and partnerships.
• Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail; outstanding written and oral communication skills.

What we bring to the table:

We are a fast paced, energetic team and family with passionate people who are leading a movement and to cultivate the their best working environment we provide the following:

• $0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision and dental. 
• Employer Paid Short Term Disability
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee
• Retirement plan through PSRSSL with a 13.5% match and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program
• Employee Recognition: When we succeed together, we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony, christmas party, and more!
• Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer
• Longevity Bonuses: 2, 5, and 10 year financial rewards
• Generous time off:
  • Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military-related leave
  • Paid parental leave for new families
  • Paid holidays, as well as a one week Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, a week-long spring break
  • Wellness days and Fabulous Fridays (leave at 1:30 on Friday once a month)
• On-going professional  development opportunities:
  • Weekly coaching sessions
  • Weekly school-based professional development
  • Five in-person PD days during the year for all KIPP St. Louis teachers

If you are interested in working at KIPP St. Louis, please visit our website to find out how to apply! 

www.kippstl.org/apply

Check out our KIPP St. Louis video to learn more about KIPP St. Louis Public Schools!

KIPP St. Louis is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our students, families, teachers, staff and community members. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.