K-8th Grade Special Education Case Manager

Position Description

K-8^th Grade Special Education Case Manager

Salary: Competitive Salary and Benefits

Location: Chicago, IL

Reports To: Principal

How to Apply: https://platform.teachermatch.org/jobsboard.do?districtId=569404168

Position Overview

The Acero Schools Special Education Case Manager plays a critical role in the academic success of students with disabilities. In this position, the Case Manager will provide services to each student in her/his least restrictive environment. This may include co-teaching within an inclusive classroom setting as well as in small group and individual instruction within a special education environment.  Performance is evaluated on Student Achievement, Planning/Preparation, Instruction, Classroom Environment, and Professionalism.

The Case Manager functions as an advocate for both parents and students, as a facilitator of student-focused discussions, as a resource and coach for teachers, and as a problem solver. The case manager must be able to handle high-stress situations with ease, exhibit superior organizational skills, and have the ability to problem solve and multi-task. The case manager oversees the flow of paper and personnel, demanding a professional, honest, flexible, and outcome based approach to education.

Core Responsibilities

Student Achievement and Success

• Increase student achievement via quality instructional methods.
• Design instruction, both individual and small group, which parallels the general education assessments curriculum.
• Monitor student progress, participating in review and revision of IEP, as appropriate.
• Ensure that students have appropriately written IEPs.
• Implement plan across all school settings. Plan must be developed following a process that reviews and considers all relevant factors including assessment data, curriculum-based measurements and input from all team members.
• Monitor the plan and to ensure program compliance: that required timelines are being observed; that direct services, accommodations, modifications and other services indicated on the plan are being implemented across all school settings; and that the student is benefiting from the services provided.

Commitment to School and Classroom Culture:

• Assist other professional staff in identification of learning disabilities, development of planned remediation and evaluation of student progress.
• Foster relationships with student families via two annual home visits.
• Possess an understanding of State and Federal Special Education Law and CPS Policies.
• Attend all CPS and Acero Schools Special Education-related meetings.
• Assists with the development of high quality IEPs by monitoring the Acero Schools draft policy at the school level and act as coordinator of IEP implementation with general education staff.
• Communicate with school Principal: must have annual IEP calendar and access to student IEPs.
• Notify the Principal if any part of a student’s plan is not being implemented appropriately despite the case manager’s efforts to correct problems via consultation with other school personnel.
• Manage Behavior Programs: Assist in the development & implementation of student behavior management programs; communicate with teachers & other involved personnel regarding behavior management programs.
• Participate in building special education team meetings to facilitate on-going and open communication with all team members regarding on-going and upcoming needs related to evaluations and IEPs.
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with parents and through continuous collaboration with staff, other school district personnel and other community service agencies; maintains effective and timely written and oral communication with parents, staff, other school personnel, and community agencies.
• Assist in the development & implementation of student behavior management programs; communicate with teachers & other involved personnel regarding behavior management programs.
• Participate in building special education team meetings to facilitate on-going and open communication with all team members regarding on-going and upcoming needs related to evaluations and IEPs.
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with parents and through continuous collaboration with staff, other school district personnel and other community service agencies; maintains effective and timely written and oral communication with parents, staff, other school personnel, and community agencies.

Professionalism and Leadership

• Deliver instruction as indicated in IEPs within Least Restrictive Environment guidelines.
• Prepare rigorous individual education plans in consultation with parents and IEP team members.
• Maintain accurate student data and other records and submit reports as required.
• Maintain a 100% compliance rate for completing all Annual Reviews, Initial, and Three-Year Reevaluations according to State and Federal law.
• Maintain confidentiality according to State guidelines.
• Confirm related services schedules and goals; ensure that related service therapy is being provided as indicated on each IEP; confer with therapist(s) if services are not provided as written on IEP; notify the Principal if problem persists.
• Case Managers assumes leadership roles with colleagues and the school community; initiates sharing new information learned through trainings and Professional Development regarding Special Education.

Required Qualifications:

Experience:

• Candidate must be able to demonstrate the academic progress of students under his/her leadership and articulate the methods used to achieve those results.
• Knowledge of data-driven instructional practices.
• Experience with progress monitoring related to IEPs and RtI.
• Experience with high quality IEPs.
• Co-teaching experience.
• Ability to work cooperatively and positively with student’s parents/guardians.
• Experience working collaboratively with general education teachers.
• Strong technology skills.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (required)

Certificates:

• Must possess valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) or equivalent (required)
• Valid Illinois Special Education License (LBS1) or equivalent (required)
• Must hold permanent residency in the United States (required)

Physical Demands

Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment.  Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files.  Physically demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, and walk around the classroom 60% of the day.  In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day.  Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 15 to 20 lbs. 

Working Conditions

Majority of work performed in a general office environment.  Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties.  Also requires participation and attendance at organization-sponsored events and meetings.

NOTE: The foregoing list of essential duties and responsibilities is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Acero Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals. Acero Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

www.aceroschools.org