2024-25 Special Education Coordinator

Description

Special Education Coordinator

12-month

Exempt

About Einstein Charter Schools

Einstein Charter Schools (“Einstein”) is a nonprofit Charter Management Organization whose mission is to nurture students to be academically STRONG as well as socially and emotionally resilient. Founded in 2005, Einstein Charter Schools is a top performing, tuition free, open admissions network of 4 schools in New Orleans East, serving grades PK-12. Our schools are: Sherwood Forest, Village De L’est, Einstein Middle School, and Sarah T. Reed High School. Authorized by the Orleans Parish School Board, we service the needs of more than 1,600 students, over 30% of whom receive ELL services.

At Einstein, we know our people actualize our mission for our students. We strive to create work environments and a total rewards package that promotes the hiring and retention of highly effective staff. We offer our staff an opportunity to impact the lives of our students and their New Orleans East community, a culture that prioritizes growth and collegiately, and a competitive compensation and benefits package.

About You

Above all else, you come to Einstein because you believe in our mission to nurture students to be academically STRONG as well as socially and emotionally resilient. You believe in EVERY child and their capacity to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.

You are focused on…

• Our students. In all your actions, you act in the best interest of our students. You embrace and protect their individuality and diversity. You seek to ensure they have access to an equitable future.
• Our goals. You are laser focused on our goals and strive to meet them efficiently. You know acting on data and feedback is an essential skill and aren’t afraid to innovate..
• Our people. You hope to work for an organization that is both result-driven AND relationship-driven. You seek an environment where our staff can engage authentically, collegially and have fun. You value diversity and prioritize inclusion.

Reports to the: School Principals

Position Overview

The Special Education Coordinator, under the supervision of the Principals is responsible for ensuring the academic success of students in special education by providing leadership that ensures services and supports according to the applicable laws and the mission of EINSTEIN Schools.

The job of Special Education Coordinator is for the purpose of ensuring compliance to established policies, procedures and/or regulations; and addressing other duties and processes required to maintain the districts’ program of services. Responsibilities include: managing the school’s special education programs and services; developing related goals, objectives and recommending policies; planning, implementing and working with staff in evaluating the special education programs and services; acting as a liaison with other district staff, serving as a resource of information regarding special education programs and services; and ensuring that procedures are appropriate in relation to policies required by state and federal regulatory requirements. Significant time is required for analyzing data, planning activities, monitoring programs/services, responding to others and consulting with program personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Driver of compliance

• Ensures compliance with Federal and State rules and regulations, including developing, updating, and ensuring compliance with Special Education policies and procedures that comply with laws
• Maintains special education files that include documentation of collaboration and involvement from students, teachers, parents, outside agencies, and pupil appraisal team members, as needed
• Develops and maintains a calendar of deadlines, including Federal, State, and network, to ensure that all meetings and reports are completed according to rules and regulations. This includes, although is not limited to, the following: data maintenance in SER, compliance reports, annual reviews, triennial re-evaluations, manifestation determination review (MDR), Extended School Year eligibility and planning, and evidence of collaboration
• Uses SER to add, edit, and monitor Special Education students
• Prepares and processes records request from other schools
• Coordinates with principals regarding caseloads, schedules, special education transportation needs, and special education state assessment processes
• Coordinates all related services for special education placement
• Coordinates with network and itinerant staff to ensure that high quality service delivery occurs in accordance with student IEPs
• Conducts integrity checks to ensure the implementation of IEPs, behavior support plans, and the delivery of accommodations and modifications in the general education classroom
• Ensures that SPED teachers provide IEP goals and student progress with general education teachers to utilize to inform instruction.
• Reviews all school IEPs to ensure quality and compliance and ensures accuracy of information in IEP
• Submits records and reports and assignments promptly and effectively
• Coordinates accommodations and alternative testing for statewide assessments

Driver of outcomes

• Provides ongoing job training and professional development to SPED staff in regards to compliance and LDOE requirements for Special education
• Assists in determining program needs and procedures
• Assists in the development and implementation of program goals and objectives
• Provides information, resources, and technical assistance to support students in the least restrictive environments including access to assistive technology, job-embedded training, consultative services, etc.
• Works collaboratively with building teams to continuously develop and revise program needs
• Reviews building data, student achievement data, and monitors IEP (Individual Education Program) data and services delivered.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, social workers, and service providers to develop academic and behavioral support plans (IEPs, FBA/BIPs
• Provides feedback and training for SPED teacher schedule based off of caseload and IEPs and ensures this schedule is in alignment with individual student IEP goals.
• Perform observations to provide feedback to teachers using ECS SPED walkthrough tool
• Collaborates with school-based academic leaders, teachers, parents, and paraprofessionals to ensure that students with disabilities are making progress towards their goals
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, MA or MEd preferred

• Louisiana Teacher Certification in Special Education

• Minimum of three years of teaching experience

• Demonstrated success working with students in an urban, open admissions school

• Demonstrated success coaching and leading adults

• Knowledge of current federal and state guidelines and reporting procedures

• Believe deeply in the mission and values of EINSTEIN Schools.

• Believe in every student’s ability to achieve

• Achieve results based on agreed-upon expectations

• Take personal responsibility

• Highly detail-oriented

• Collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders

• Share a commitment to creating great schools in New Orleans East

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Work Environment

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and the work environment of the job.

• Mental Demands: Ability to process a large volume of data and forms

• Finger Dexterity; using primarily just the finger to make small movements such as typing, using calculator, picking up small objects, or pinching fingers together. In addition, must be able to handle a high volume of paperwork, which will involve filing, and making copies, etc.

• Able to operate office machines and equipment in a safe and effective manner

• Talking; must convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately and clearly

• Average Hearing; able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information. • Visual Abilities; good acuity necessary to constantly view the computer monitor, prepare or inspect documents or operate office machinery.

• Physical Strength; Often sedentary work. Sitting for long periods of the time. Exerts up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally (almost all office jobs) and able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

• Frequent multi-tasking, changing of task priorities, and repetitious, exacting work required.

• Periodically working in a noisy, distracting environment with some deadline pressures.

Evaluation

• Annual Review, Designated Evaluation Tool

• Evaluated by the Principal and/or designee

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Einstein Charter Schools welcomes all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other protected grounds in any of its activities or operations, including hiring.