Special Education Lead Coordinator; K-5

Position: Special Education Lead Coordinator (K-5)
Job Description:

Position Title:

Academy Exceptional Student Services Lead Coordinator

Location:

Great Hearts Roosevelt (555 S. Jackrabbit Tr. Buckeye, AZ 85326)
Compensation Type:
Salaried Salary Range: $55,Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty :

Exceptional Benefits (medical, dental, vision etc.) with minimal employee cost Matching 401K program

Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities

Position Summary:

The Academy ESS Lead is a leadership role on campus and is the "Team Lead” of the ESS department. While their supervisory role does not replace the supervision from the headmaster, their role does extend leadership in the specific areas where they have experience and expertise, namely: supporting ESSCs in the preparation for and execution of IEP meetings, guiding the development of ESS teachers, teacher in residence and ESSAs, compliance in terms of IEP paperwork, and the first level of advisement in challenging situations with students or parents.

They also represent the final decision at the ESS departmental level in terms of organizational logistics and strategy. First and foremost, the Academy ESS Lead must model the core virtues of the academy and pursue a deeper understanding of what it means to provide a classical, liberal arts education. They also lead the ESS team's pursuit towards our north star: in our daily work with people, we earn and maintain faith and confidence in our good will, judgment, knowledge, and skill.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Oversees the caseload distribution discussions, including final decision regarding assignment of students to the individual ESSCs' caseloads:

Ensures transfer procedure on all incoming students is complete.

Coordinates, facilitates, and executes initial and triennial Review of Existing Data and Review of

Additional Data meetings, including:

Conducting classroom observations

Gathering data on students referred by student study team (SST)
Facilitating transition of parent relationships to assigned ESSCs from initial evaluation to IEP development in the event that students qualify for special education services

Coordinates, facilitates, and executes annual IEP meetings for students on their caseload.

Observes the general education teachers' consistent implementation of student IEPs on their caseload.

Manages related service provider relationships for students on their caseload:

Provides orientation to each service provider to our educational philosophy, school model, campus layout, etc.

Coordinates with related service providers and school psychologist regarding evaluations, meetings, and services

Reviews, codes, and signs invoices, then submits them for HM approval

Follows up with service providers to generate IEP progress reports

Serves as the academy lead of the ESS team, providing support to team members for the effective completion of individual and shared responsibilities.

Assists the Phoenix Home Office in training the ESSCs on the pedagogy of special education work within Great Hearts. Partners with the headmaster to communicate the specifics of the ESS Lead and ESSC roles to the community before the start of the year and revisit as necessary

Attends initial IEP meetings led by ESSCs to guide the relational hand-off from ESS Lead to ESSC and provide feedback to ESSCs on their execution

Reviews IEPs and Evaluation reports written by the ESSCs for accuracy. (1 file per semester)
Models and provides guidance to ESSCs on partnering with general education teachers

Partners with the headmaster to provide written and oral evaluations to the ESSCsUpdates program information in the school information system (SIS) for students receiving special education as students enter, change eligibility categories or exit.

Leads the ESS team to complete all EOY responsibilities to prepare for the proper rollover to the next year Required/

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree required;
Master's degree preferred

Required Experience:

Minimum 3 years experience as a special education coordinator

Experience as special education (ESS) coordinator in Great Hearts school preferred

Experience with special education evaluation process preferred

Certification:
Valid Arizona Special Education Teaching Certificate (AZ Mild to Moderate or K-12 Cross-Categorical)

Required Skills:

Extensive knowledge of special education process, including state and federal timelines and compliance requirements

Leadership, coaching, and mentoring skill/experience

High level of emotional intelligence

Humility and skill with collaboration between multiple teams

Conflict resolution and mediation

Strong verbal and written communication skill

Experience and speed with multiple platforms and computer programs (Student Information Systems, IEP writing programs, MS Office Suite, Google)
Physical Functions:
Requires but is not limited to standing,…