Position Type:
Special Education/Special Ed - All District
Date Posted:
3/25/2024
Location:
Stamford, CT
Date Available:
2024-2025 School Year The filling of this position is based upon continued funding in the Board of Education budget.

Note: Teachers dually certified in TESOL, Bilingual Education or ESL, with experience in Sheltered Instruction or fluency in a language other than English, will be given preference for all Stamford Public School positions.
General Statement:
The Special Education Literacy Support Specialist is a district based position. The Special Education Literacy Support Specialist reports to the Assistant Director of Special Education and is supported by building level administrators in the implementation of targeted direct literacy instruction in phonological processing deficits (identified by IDEA and Public Act 14-39 SLD/Dyslexia) and language arts instruction. The Special Education Literacy Support Specialist will participate in ongoing literacy instruction, literacy assessments and professional development. Evaluations will be conducted by the Assistant Director of Special Education.

Major Responsibilities:

• Plans and delivers targeted standards based instruction focused on phonological processing deficits that characterize dyslexia (IDEA, http://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/you-childs-rights/basics-aboutchilds and Public Act 14-39 http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=322672#Elig).
• Delivers literacy instruction in whole and small group as identified by IEP goals and objectives for special education student and will be assigned to no more than one class literacy class in each secondary school supporting and implementing multisensory methodology in reading and writing.
• Establishes learning objectives consistent with evaluation of special education student needs utilizing Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) and assessments tailored to detection, recognition and interventions for students with dyslexia (Public act 14-39), has understanding of Connecticut English/Language Arts Standards and/or Common Core State Standards, and knowledge of developing and implementing IEP goals and objectives relating to literacy development.
• Plans for and utilizes instructional methods focused on systematic and explicit instruction/intervention, resources, and evaluation instruments/tools (recognized by IDEA and Public Act 14-39) to continually motivate and enable each special education student to achieve learning objectives as outlined by IEP.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of English/Language Arts grade level standards, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and communicates these objectives to students and teachers to assist in implementation of goals and objectives as outlined by individual IEPs.
• Continually collects, assesses, and analyzes student data consistent with requirements of IDEA and Public Act 14-39 to monitor student progress in meeting literacy targets, goals and objectives as outlined in each student IEP.
• Make instructional adjustments that move student to appropriate Literacy targets in the five critical components of reading (recognized by IDEA 2004 and the National Reading Panel 2001) as evaluated by progress monitoring of IEP goals and objectives.
• Models and provides professional development for colleagues, students, parents, to devise and maintain support for special education students attainment of literacy targets, goals and objectives during the school day, as well as during other times allocated specifically for district-based professional development.
• Works collaboratively with building and district administration on School Improvement Plan to provide consistent, high expectations for all students identified with a reading disability.
• Completes a log of duties and responsibilities performed that correlate with supporting special education students, staff and parents in achieving mastery of goals and objectives as outlined in their IEP.
• Attends meetings with the Assistant Director of Special Education or Secondary (or designee) as needed during the school day to review IEPs, assist with implementation of IEP goals and objectives and monitor implementation of multisensory reading methodology.

Qualifications:

• Connecticut State Department of Education Certification endorsed for Comprehensive Special Education K-12 (065).
• Certification in multisensory reading methodology such as Orton Gillingham, or Wilson Reading Program.
• Connecticut State Department of Education Certification endorsed for Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts, 1-12 (102) preferred.
• Four (4) years of special education teaching and reading support utilizing Multisensory Teaching Methodology.
• Familiarity with national, state, and local curriculum standards and frameworks.
• Experience with planning and delivering standards based literacy instruction utilizing scientific research based multisensory reading instruction.
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing research-based instructional strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in aligning curriculum with Connecticut Standards and the CCSS.
• Experience in writing standards-based lesson plans/goals and objectives for students with individual educational plans (IEPs).
• Knowledge of a range of effective instructional strategies, assessment tools, and research-based "best practices" for literacy instruction utilizing scientific research based multisensory reading programs and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others.
• Committed to the growth and academic development of all students.
• High standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook)
• Knowledge of and/or demonstrate the ability to learn and implement Operating Systems (i.e. Windows); Office suites (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Docs); Presentation Software (i.e. PowerPoint, Keynote); Spreadsheets (i.e. Excel, Google Spreadsheets); Communication and Collaboration tools (i.e. Skype); Accounting Software (i.e. QuickBooks); Student Information Systems (i.e. Naviance, Power School); or any other technology deemed relevant for this position.

Board Approved September 27, 2016
Revised June 11, 2019

Union:
Stamford Education Association (SEA)

Term:
Three years

Salary:
$50,684 to $123,992
Step Placement is based on education and experience as outlined in Article 4 (D) of the SEA Contract.
Application Procedures:
Online application is required.

Internal Applicants: Please upload a cover letter (summarizing your interest in and qualifications for the position) and resume as part of your Internal Application. In addition, be prepared to provide a two letters of reference to the interview committee.