What are the responsibilities and job description for the Education Specialist - Mild/Moderate position at Aspire Public Schools?
We are currently offering a $6000 hiring bonus for all new Education Specialists
We are accepting applications for immediate opportunities and for the '25-'26 school year.
About Aspire:
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
The Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs instructs students with Individualized Education Plans in an inclusive environment. This role works directly within a school site and collaborates regularly with Special Education staff and may work with outside consultants and district personnel as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Administer academic assessments, write the academic assessment reports and present at IEP meetings
Consult and communicate with faculty and parents via meetings, phone, and email regarding the needs and progress of students
Maintain knowledge of current regulations pertaining to special education
Collaborate with faculty to ensure that student modifications and accommodations are being appropriately implemented in the general education classroom
Assist with the development of the master schedule to plan for all student IEP needs.
Meet the minimum IDEA requirements related to case management
Input weekly IEP service tracking and meet all IEP timelines
Maintain a high level or rigor for students with disabilities in order to ensure equitable access to common core standards.
Develop progress monitoring tools for student goals that is shared with the IEP team
Regularly collaborate with team members and related service providers for the purposes of: reviewing student data, ensuring IEP and behavior plan implementation, co-planning and/or co-teaching.
Daily oversight of paraprofessional support, including support with creating a schedule and implementation of the IEP
Demonstrate effective organization skills in order to create and maintain notifications, records, files, and reports as required by federal, state, and SELPA regulations
Implement health and mobility supports (i.e. support student/s with toileting, g-tube feeding, administration of medication while under supervision of school nurse) and assist with the physical needs of students (i.e. lifting, assisting with mobility, access to campus.)
Oversee, teach and implement a student’s behavior intervention plan, including gathering and analyzing relevant data on a regular basis, and collaborating with staff members around student plan and progress
Regularly co-teach/co-plan with General Education teachers
Coordinate the development and implementation of a student’s Individualized Transition Program
Additional:
Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
Knowledge of special education principles, concepts, methodologies, and documentation requirements
Knowledge of special education assessment, planning, instruction, and evaluation
Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles
Ability and willingness to implement students’ IEPs
Belief in inclusion and Aspire’s Equity Belief Statements and demonstrates high expectations for students with diverse learning needs
Ability and willingness to reflect and improve
Ability to follow and meet mandated deadlines and due dates
Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with general education and special education colleagues, parents and community
Ability to excel as a member of a team and implement new learnings from professional development
Ability to work with an ethnically and economically diverse student body
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
CA Special Education Teaching Credential (Mild/Moderate Education Specialist, Mild-Moderate Support Needs) required
Bridge Authorizations for Mild-Moderate Credentials received prior to June of 2022
Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
Competencies:
Expertise in applicable grade-level Common Core State Standards and Academic IEP goal development
Knowledge around the models of co-teaching and serving students with disabilities in an inclusive model
Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed
Alignment to and urgency around Aspire’s mission, vision and values
Minimum educational level:
Bachelor’s Degree required in a related field.
Experience required:
2 years working with students with special needs in an educational setting
Physical requirements:
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Work authorization requirements:
Clear the Department of Justice background screening.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years).
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Compensation:
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program. Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:
Aspire Public Schools Education Specialist Salary Scale
Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.
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