Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
Looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference in children’s lives? Look no further and join the team at Meeting Street! Meeting Street is a special place of learning, where children of all abilities have the opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
Full-time employees receive:
- Competitive Pay
- Generous PTO
- 13 paid holidays
- Medical, dental, vision and MORE
Meeting Street is currently looking for a full time Director of Special Education.
Duties:
- Responsible for the implementation of a high-quality special education program, including all of the day-to-day functions of said program in the Early Learning Center (ages 3-4), The Grace School (grades K-8), The Carter School (grades 9-12+) and The Schwartz School (ages 3-22+)
- Establish routines and consistency in: Curriculum and assessment, Instruction and teaching strategies, IEP Development/Presentation/Data Collection/Progress Monitoring, Specialized student plans (i.e. sensory, feeding, equipment)
- Improves, expands, coordinates, and develops programs that support:
1. Early childhood (ages 3-4)
2. Inclusive education (Pre-K to Grade 8)
3. Independent Living Skills (Grades 9-12+)
4. Career work readiness (Grades 9-12+)
5. Transition Services (Grades 9-12+)
6. Extended School Year (ESY) Program (Preschool-Grade 12+)
- Collaborates daily with head of school regarding school-level needs such as duties, coverage, etc.
- Partners with Director of Admissions to recruit and retain students
- Facilitate and chairs Evaluation, IEP and Intake meetings
- Review and provide feedback to staff for all IEP related documents prior to presentation of IEP
- Maintain compliance with RIDE, DESE and OSCAS procedures, policies, reporting, RI and MA Regulations and all applicable Federal & State statutes
- Coordinate and monitor FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)/BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) development and progress
- Collaborate in the coordination of students with special needs participation in all alternative assessments and other mandated state assessments including but not limited to:
1. Training
2. Monitor/Review
3. Analyze and make program adjustments based on data
- Actively supervise special education staff including but not limited to individual meetings, grade level/program meetings, staff meetings, etc.
- Evaluate all special education staff using the identified evaluation tool
- Collaborate with therapists to implement an integrated educational/ therapeutic model to limit services provided outside of the classroom
- Knowledge of authentic assessment practices using strategies to mitigate stereotype threat in feedback, assessment, and progress monitoring.
- Coordinate and supervise school-based therapists for school-related needs, i.e. IEP goals, delivery of services (how, when and where), program needs, etc.
- Coordinate with Office Manager to ensure that all Medicaid-related documents are completed on time and accurately for submission to partnering districts
- Identify, plan and provide professional development opportunities for special education staff and others to support students with special needs on a regular basis and all professional development days
- Knowledgeable about external trends and opportunities around inclusion and new delivery models
- Develop, coordinate and implement Extended School Year (ESY) programs to meet the needs of students
- Develop and/or assist with the development of other initiatives that benefit students, specifically those with special needs
- Review all progress reports and report cards for students with IEPs
- Collaborate with heads of school to develop and oversee budgets and allocations related to special education programs, including monitoring line items
- Reach out and maintain contact with families with an awareness and respect for each student and their families from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, abilities and family structures.
- Participate in School Improvement Initiatives
- Actively seeks and participates in ongoing professional development as offered by the school or independent study, including membership in RIASPES, RIASP and MAAPS
- Assist in all emergency drills
- Perform other duties as directed or required by the Head of School or Superintendent
Meeting Street believes the dignity of each person is paramount. We recognize that our community’s future strength rests firmly on our commitment to our values of respect, compassion, integrity, inclusivity, and excellence. To uphold these commitments, we expect all employees to recognize and properly respond to racism and other forms of injustice.
It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, transfer and promote employees, and to ensure that all other employment practices (i.e. salary and benefits administration, education and training programs, and social and recreational programs) are administered without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual preference or orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin or ancestry, legally recognized disability, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, military status, socioeconomic background, homelessness or any other characteristic or category protected by law. It is also our policy to protect employees and applicants from any coercion, retaliation or discrimination for filing a complaint or assisting in any investigation pursuant to the equal opportunity laws.
Learn more about us at https://www.meetingstreet.org
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in education or related field.
- Valid certification from RIDE and DESE as a Director of Special Education Administrator, or the ability to obtain
- Models the agency’s values of respect, compassion, integrity, inclusivity and excellence in all actions and communications.
- Work environment and physical requirements consistent with those of a typical school environment.
- Ability to move about the classroom and building continuously throughout the workday.
- Utilize the computer (20%) of the time and other office equipment.