Director of Special Education - Washington Connections Academy

School Summary:

At Connections Academy, helping students maximize their potential and meet the highest performance standards through a uniquely individualized learning program is at the core of our mission. Connections Academy was founded in 2001 to deliver high-quality, highly accountable online education to students in grades K-12. Hallmarks of Connections Academy-supported online schools include personalized learning, an award-winning curriculum and Education Management System (EMS), dedicated state-certified teachers, and a supportive school community. Parents of enrolled students consistently share their satisfaction with Connections Academy: 92% “would recommend the schools to other families” and 95% say the curriculum is “high quality.” In 2017, Connections Academy-supported public schools serve students in 27 states, while the private online school, International Connections Academy meets the online school needs of students worldwide. Recognized for its outstanding curriculum and leadership, Connections Academy is committed to expanding quality education through technology, and helping students achieve both academic and personal success. Connections Academy is part of the global learning company, Pearson, and its Online & Blended Learning group. For more information, visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com.

Washington Connections Academy (WACA) is a tuition-free, virtual public school serving students in grades K-12 statewide. WACA has two schools under its umbrella of the shared-services model.  It operates in partnerships with the Mary M. Knight School District and Goldendale School District and is under contract with Connections Academy to provide its educational program and other services. Both Washington Connections Academy schools are accredited by Cognia and were recognized as Cognia Schools of Distinction in 2022.

Position Summary:

This position is full-time, typically 40 hours per week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each weekday, working with Washington Connections Academy from your home office in either Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. The Manager of Special Education will oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education needs. The Manager of Special Education will ensure that the school complies with all district, state, and federal regulations. The Manager of Special Education will collect, store, and update data and documentation in a manner that meets or exceeds all compliance expectations. The Manager will ensure that special education teachers are providing a comprehensive special education program that includes specially designed instruction in the least restrictive environment and that all students’ records are accurate and up-to-date. 

The Director will manage the IEP process, communication with parents of students who have or who may be suspected of having disabilities, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times. The Director of Special Education will work in collaboration with the School Leader, school leadership team and Pearson Virtual Schools. Leadership tasks will include collaboration with state board of education representatives, authorizing district representatives, and colleagues at the corporate office and other Connections Academy schools.

The  Director of Special Education will also collaborate with school staff to ensure that state testing accommodations for students with IEPs and 504s are provided in an accurate and well-planned manner. This position also supports Multilingual Learners and Highly Capable Learners, encompassing all of Special Populations. The Manager will provide excellent customer service to the district, school leaders, teachers, students, and families. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships with these stakeholders and operate at a high level of integrity and accountability. 

The Special Education Director works closely with the school leadership team, Special Education Assistant Directors, and all Special Populations staff. The Special Education Manager will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Leadership Roles:
• Demonstrate a high level of integrity with transparency and accountability;
• Collaborate, serve, and engage with the school leadership team, Pearson Virtual Schools and authorizing district leaders;
• Supervise, manage and evaluate a team of special education teachers;
• Communicate with the School Leader about the special education team;
• Assist with supporting the Connections Academy Mission Statement, school goals and School Improvement Plan;
• Oversee and/or implement all aspects of Child Find referrals, IEP development, diagnostic assessments, and annual/tri-annual reviews;
• Implement and maintain a documentation system within the school’s IEP system and Connexus Learning Management System that captures and organizes all special education data;
• Plan, implement, and evaluate staff professional development activities; 
• Compliance Roles:
• Ensure compliance with federal and state special education processes and timelines
• Remain compliant and conduct all tasks related to state reporting, meeting state timelines;
• Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies;
• Conduct IEP team meetings within state-mandated timelines for all students with disabilities, including meeting timelines for newly enrolled students;
• Implement procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students with regard to the special education services program;
• Conduct school-based special education-related meetings;
• Coordinate the delivery of IEP-mandated academic and related services; including contracted services;
• Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP-mandated accommodations for students with disabilities during state testing events;
• Collaborate with staff concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs, from identification to transition and dismissal;
• 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;
• Oversee the instructional programming for students with exceptionalities, ensuring students make quantifiable progress on IEP goals and through their assigned curriculum;
• Other Special Pops Roles:
• Implement Connections Academy special education and 504 procedures and protocols;
• Provide oversight of all aspects of Section 504 including: conducting meetings for new and returning students, developing and implementing 504 plans and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodation;
• Provide oversight of all aspects of Multilingual Learners, including: developing and implementing an Multilingual Learner program and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations, screeners, and WIDA testing;
• Provide oversight of all aspects of our Highly Capable program including screeners, enrichment opportunities, and documentation;
• Contact Roles:
• Communicate regularly with caretakers, students, and instructional staff through use of computer and telephone;
• Connect with each content area student individually at least once each semester to discuss content, course progress, and individual needs within the course;
• Log all contacts - successful and unsuccessful - within 24 hours of the attempted or completed contact;
• Meet weekly student contact requirements as determined by school, division, and PVS leadership;
• Community Roles:
• Work with school staff to coordinate and attend social activities and relevant field trips for students and families, as required within school policy. When possible, integrate field trips and social activities into the curriculum;
• Devise and implement virtual methods of creating and maintaining a “school community”;
• Participate in the administration of the state testing, including in-person proctoring of WIDA and/or SBAC/WCAS testing at various locations around the state of Washington;
• Participate in student recruiting sessions and other marketing efforts that require staff representation;
• Behind-The-Scenes Roles:
• Be a collaborative member of IEP and 504 teams, as assigned, sharing course progress insights about students and providing feedback on goals and accommodations;
• Work collaboratively and often within a professional learning community of grade- or content-level instructional staff to review student progress data related to a team-determined SMART goal, with the goal of data driving instruction, and improving teaching practices
• Work with Advisory Teachers and School Counselors to ensure students and families are receiving appropriate communications, students are making adequate progress, and established goals are being met within WSLP, promotion, and/or graduation frameworks;
• Attend and participate in in-person training sessions and team-building activities scheduled throughout the school year and throughout the state of Washington;
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards.  Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;
• Be an active participant in all assigned professional development and training, synchronous or asynchronous, including state-required training in SEL and DEI, and actively seek additional opportunities to grow and learn in the role;
• Complete the duties of an assigned or volunteered-for representative or Career Ladder position that has a school-wide focus (examples include, and are not exclusive to, Attendance Rep, Communication Rep, or Elective Rep);
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements:

• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and email address for 2-step authentication.
• Washington teacher certification in Special Education 
• Already possessing or willing to obtain administration certification in either Special Education Administration or Principal 
• Must reside in the state of Washington, Oregon, or Idaho, or be relocating to one of these states in the near future 
• Minimum of five years teaching experience in Special Education
• Experience leading/supporting a Special Education Program or parts of a Special Education program
• Experience being a part of a leadership team preferred, including managing others
• Demonstrated expertise in special education law and compliance
• Demonstrated strong technology skills (especially Microsoft Office and 
• Google Suite products, synchronous classroom programs such as Zoom, third-party educational software such as Nearpod, and data collection and examination tools, including spreadsheets and databases)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to communicate (listen and speak) effectively and appropriately with staff, students, and families from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Excellent attention to detail, with proven time management and organizational skills, especially when working independently
• Demonstrated ability to work with colleagues to foster and encourage an inclusive work and school environment that is supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.
• Student- and family-focused approach, with demonstrated ability to create an inclusive and culturally responsive classroom environment that supports and recognizes students of diverse backgrounds and identities. 
• Ability to travel for one, possibly two, weeks at a time for key school events, including overnight travel (including, but not limited to: back-to-school training, state testing, graduation ceremony, marketing events, and field trips)

Based on Experience and Education, the salary ranges from $90,000-108,000.

Eligible new hires will receive a sign-on bonus of $1,500.00.

Washington Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. 

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

Washington Connections Academy acknowledges that its school operations span the state of Washington and that we have families and staff who live and work on the traditional homelands of Washington's Indigenous Peoples who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. We wish to express deep respect and gratitude for the land itself and to the people whose history and lives are here.

Salary : $90,000 - $108,000