Specialist - Instructional SPED

Instruction Specialist

To provide support to special education teachers, distance or virtual instruction within the district.

Minimum

Education/Certification:

• Master's degree in special education and/or a related field (preferred).
• Special Education Certification
• Proper certification as required by the State Board for Educator Certification.
• Administrator or Mid-Management Certificate (preferred)

Special Knowledge/

Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and district special education regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate special education concerns with parents, instructional staff, and school administrators.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience in programming services for students with special needs.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and provide staff development and other training activities.
• Experience working with families and students coping with crisis and/or behavioral challenges.
• Experience working with related service providers, mental health providers and community-based agencies.
• Proven record of success in communication skills, collaboration, and problem solving.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum three years teaching experience in special education.
• Proven experience in leadership position (either district or campus level).
• Experience in providing educational programming to students that has empirical support.
• Experience working as a collaborative team member.

Major

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Instructional Management
• Provide leadership, coordinate and support In Class Support (ICS), Lifeskills, ABLE, PASS, and Self-Contained Behavior Programming.
• Provide leadership and assistance in the development and implementation of methodologies that have empirical support for use with students.
• Serve as a resource in staffings and ARD meetings, clarifying district guidelines and providing expertise in state and federal law regarding students with high-needs.
• Analyze new laws and regulations pertaining to special education and provide training to appropriate personnel.
• School/Organizational Climate
• Establish communication networks among teachers, campuses, and administrators.
• Respond appropriately to situations that could impair the teaching/learning process.
• Deal sensitively and fairly with persons of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Asst. Director of Special Education.
• School/Organizational Improvement
• Conduct informal observations and provide suggestions for improving the classroom and increasing achievement in a positive and supportive manner.
• Work with appropriate staff to develop, maintain, and revise district procedural guidelines based on the Texas Education Agency's annual revision of the state monitoring document.
• Work with appropriate staff to gather required data for specific indicators of the State Performance Plan (SPP).
• Train and support appropriate staff regarding STAAR and STAAR-ALT components of the statewide assessment program.
• Personnel Management
• Provide training and support for district personnel regarding students with high-needs, including:
  Special education teachers, Special education paraprofessionals, Educational diagnosticians, LSSPs, and speech pathologists, General education teachers, and School administrators
• Student Management
• Demonstrate support for the district's student management policies.
• Assist campuses at providing best practice services for students with high-needs.
• Facilitate the transfer process of students to programs within the district.
• Professional Growth and Development
• Develop needed professional skills appropriate to job assignment.
• Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible, and serve as a role model for all district special education staff.
• Gain expertise in newly developed policies and procedures in order to assist skill acquisition by special services staff.
• School and Community Relations
• Articulate the department's mission and goals to individual campuses and the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences and meeting with parents, students, and staff concerning vital issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands:
Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with staff and students and community members; interpret district policy, procedures, and data; interpret state and federal laws regarding special education issues; coordinate district functions, maintain emotional control under stress.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Frequent district and occasional statewide travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Assist in CPI as needed.