Special Education Director

Special Education Director Job Description

New Mexico Academy for Media Arts is a free, public charter school located at located at 4401 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM  87108 serving 150 middle and high school students.  Our school offers secondary students a comprehensive, project-based, cross-curricular education centered in the media arts.  We prepare our graduates for positions in the media industries and for the rigor of post-secondary education. 

Employment Status

One Opening is available:  One Full Time Special Education Director.   This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position.  The Special Education Director reports directly to the Principal.   Anticipated Start Date is Immediately Upon Hire.

Position Overview:  The Special Education Director will manage instructional programs for students with special needs.  The Special Education Director will oversee the IEP process and work closely with other teachers and district professionals to ensure the school’s special education program is successful and operating in compliance with federal and state regulations. 

Specific job responsibilities are as follows:

Oversite management of the following for Special Education staff:

• Manage and provide instructional guidance and general strategies for a caseload of students.
• Develop, write, and help implement IEPs.
• Evaluate tests and assessments, complete report cards, and conduct parent conferences.
• Communicate regularly with parents and learning coaches of students with special needs to ensure their IEP goals are being met, and that their needs are addressed in a timely and appropriate fashion.
• Consult with teachers and coordinate the implementation of specially designed instruction as defined in IEPs for students with specific needs and potential learning issues.
• Provide direct services to students including services delivered through web-conferencing software, as needed.
• Schedule, organize, and conduct IEP related meetings (in a virtual environment, as needed).
• Participate in the school’s Student Assistance Team; help teachers and learning coaches develop and implement program modifications and strategies for all students.
• Assist as needed with the organization and proper implementation of all paperwork, documentation, and procedures for the IEP Process.
• Assist with locating service providers for students needing related services as mandated by their IEPs.
• Assist with negotiation and executing contracts with service providers for students requiring such services.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date data in the school’s Learning Management Systems and special education software.
• Assist with administering state testing and coordinate the special adaptations that are required based on the IEP, and other duties as assigned.

Mission-Aligned Members of Our Community:

• Understand that relationships are the key to success in working with students. Staff members pursue appropriate and healthy relationships with students, including advocating for them and their success.
• Believe our students have strengths and assets and work to build on these strengths in their work.
• Maintain a positive attitude and a solution-based approach to challenges in the work place.
• Maintain open and consistent communication with students and their families about their academic progress, health, success, and needs, individual graduation plans, and college planning.
• Also communicate proactively with colleagues about student needs to ensure integrated support.
• Believe all students deserve an opportunity and are capable of pursuing post-secondary education and careers of their choice.
• Are committed to restorative justice as a mean of addressing conflicts or challenges in the community, whether between students, staff members, or students and staff members.
• Are committed to inclusive excellence.
• Are active participants in a supportive professional community that fosters respect, trust, honesty, risk-taking, open-mindedness, flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Operate in a demanding but rewarding environment that requires staff to be flexible problem solvers who manage ambiguity and challenges well.
• Dedicate themselves to the school’s mission and vision, adopting a “whatever-it-takes” attitude in helping our students succeed.
• Engage in rigorous professional development to build on both personal and school wide strengths and areas of growth to promote the school’s mission and vision.

Qualifications

The Special Education Director is expected to:

• Be a resident of New Mexico and have a Level II NM Special Education Teaching License.
• Be endorsed in Math and/or Science preferred, but not required.
• Pass a background check as a requisite to employment.
• Strong technology skills (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and PowerSchool).
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding school environment.
• Experience in standards-based, backwards planning.
• Be a highly collaborative, results-oriented, adaptable, problem-solving self-starter.
• Have a high degree of flexibility and a demonstrated record of being a team player.
• Embrace data to inform instructional planning and practice.
• Be comfortable sharing and analyzing student performance results and humility in constantly working to improve instructional practices.
• Be positive, thoughtful, passionate, motivating, and empowering with students.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

 Applicants must apply through this website