Mission of NCS

Our mission is to provide the children of NCS with new educational opportunities through a rigorous, comprehensive K-8 program that cultivates the intellectual, social and emotional development of each child. Our students, who will include children with autism spectrum disorders, will become independent learners and critical thinkers, will acquire the academic skills that they need to succeed in college preparatory high schools and will exhibit the social and emotional skills that will allow them to reach their full potential.

The Opportunity

The SPED Coordinator is a school-based leader responsible for ensuring the success and fidelity of the special education program at their school. This includes responsibility around ensuring that scholars belonging to NCS’s Special Populations at their school site have effective interventions and teachers are utilizing data-based decisions to identify, change, and implement interventions for those scholars. They will ensure that all teachers have knowledge and skills on best practices for NCS’s students in any Special Populations and the ability to create an inclusive environment at their school. The Special Education Coordinator is also responsible for being the liaison between parents and the Committee on Special Education in order to ensure that all students with IEPs are getting their mandated academic and related services. 

Special Education Compliance Management 

• Ensure special education program compliance with all applicable district, state, and federal regulations and standards (e.g. procedures and systems for IEP collection and storage security, student referrals and evaluations, reviews, staff notifications and family communications, service scheduling, and recordkeeping) 
• Collect IEPs and most recent reports for newly enrolled students with special needs for all grades
• Write/manage 504 plans for students who do not have an IEP but requirement specific accommodations due to a medical diagnosis
• Collaborate with the Related Services Program Director and Committee on Special Education to ensure that all students are receiving the mandated services on their IEP

Student Systems and Support 

• Develop, implement, manage, and evaluate the Response to Intervention Program within the school 
• Lead Response to Intervention Meetings on a monthly basis to ensure that students are accurately identified as needing support and their progress is monitored
• Develop a strong understanding of the needs of every student with an IEP and provide strategies to staff to ensure students are getting the supports indicated on their IEP
• Manage caseloads, parent communication, and scheduling for the  BRIDGE Program
• Collaborate with curriculum teams around curriculum development for the BRIDGE Program
• Work with APs to Coordinate testing schedules to accommodate students with accommodations on their IEP 
• Participate in all disciplinary communication regarding students with special needs 
• Support the 6-8  Dean of Culture with behavior plans & supports for all students with specials needs including students identified as needing Tier 2/Tier 3 support plans 

Teacher Development and Support 

• Lead professional development for teachers and leaders around best practices for special education
• Train, observe, and provide feedback to teachers and paraprofessionals, parents, and administrators on the implementation and development of IEPs to enhance instructional capacity 
• Observe and provide feedback and coaching  to teachers around delivering high level interventions determined within Response to Intervention meetings
• Provide resources to teachers such as visuals, checklists, organizers, etc to support the implementation of interventions within the classroom
• Ensure all new special education staff have training in writing IEPs and using the IEP management system 

Partnership and Coordination Management 

• Attend student IEP meetings and/or consult with the assigned case manager to provide information on strategies, services, and answer parent concerns about programming 
• Collaborate with teachers and SPED staff to create Individualized Education Plans and review individual students’ needs 
• Seek to include all applicable IEP team members when scheduling meetings and provide all members with an advanced notice of meeting
• Provide resources and support to families of students with IEPs 
• Present weekly program and services update to Director of Special Populations and 6-8 Director, including information pertaining to regulations, observations, meetings, and development of individual/department goals 
• Provide administrative support to Director of Special Populations, 6-8 Director, and other administrators as necessary 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree, masters degree preferred 
• Proven effectiveness as a special education teacher and/or service provider for at least five years
• Proven track record of successfully differentiating instruction for a diverse set of learners
• Strong knowledge of best practices for students with disabilities, including students with ASD
• A commitment to contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive setting 
• Strong leadership skills; high levels of emotional intelligence
• Strong data analysis skills
• Familiarity with Common Core Standards
• Ability to run strong adult professional development sessions
• Ability to cultivate partnerships in the community and beyond 
• Deep commitment to education and academic achievement
• Creative problem-solver and systems thinker 
• Ability to work productively with all stakeholders
• Strong organizational and time management skills 

Salary for this role starts at $85,000 and increases based on qualifications and experience.