Director of Special Education - Grand Rapids, United States - Integrity Educational Services

Description

Job Description

Integrity Educational Services is currently seeking a Director of Special Education to serve our students at Hope Academy of West Michigan and Lighthouse Academy

Integrity Educational Services (IES) is the non-profit educational service provider for Hope Academy of West Michigan and Lighthouse Academy. Being a part of the IES team means that you care about the students we serve, you genuinely believe every student can succeed, you align with our mission, vision, and Whole Child approach to education and you are committed to living into our values. Each and every day, we hold ourselves responsible to living out the values of Respect, Inclusiveness, Integrity, Persistence, Growth Mindset, Teamwork/Collaboration and Excellence.

At our Lighthouse Academy locations, we offer residential programs serving youth and adults in detention facilities, correctional facilities or intervention-based programs as well as community programs serving court-placed students, multi language learners (ML), students with Special Education needs, etc. Hope Academy is a general K-12 charter school in Grand Rapids, MI serving a large population ML and at risk youth.

So, if you have a passion for education, desire being a part of a values-driven team and want to serve at-risk youth, come join a growing team and make a positive difference in the life of a child

To learn more about who we are and who we serve, we encourage you to visit our website:

GENERAL PURPOSE: The Special Education Director will develop, organize, and administer quality special education and support services that align with the vision and mission of the schools – Lighthouse Academy and Hope Academy of West Michigan. The Special Education Director is responsible for planning and directing the schools' special education program and overseeing special education personnel.

The Special Education Director is responsible for the leadership, administration, and supervision of the school's special education program and services as well as the daily operational special education functions.

The Special Education Director will support teachers, teacher consultants and other staff on providing effective educational programs for all special education students. The Special Education Director will lead, supervise, develop, and assist other teachers in implementing specialized academic instructions for special education students and will oversee communication with district personnel and parents on special education goals and needs for all students. The Special Education Director will subscribe to the vision, mission and values of Integrity Educational Services and the applicable academy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Guide the development and implementation of long-term and short-term plans for achieving special education goals and objectives in alignment with the school's strategic plan.
2. Monitor the development and implementation of all aspects of the special education program process.
3. Establish and communicate a district-wide philosophy of least restrictive environment for serving special needs students.
4. Coordinate accommodation requests for testing required by the state.
5. Ensure appropriate instructional goals and objectives are established and student's IEP needs are addressed on an individual basis.
6. Responsible for ensuring that Child Find activities including the coordination of all schools' referral activities are conducted as required.
7. Attend IEP meetings.
8. Ensure timely and accurate compiling, maintaining and filing all reports, records, other documents legally required or administratively useful for special education
9. Collaborate and communicate in a professional manner with IEP team, parents, and district personnel on student's progress.
10. Maintain open lines of communication regarding special education with all interested parties; respond to concerns of parents, teachers, the superintendent, and management team members.
11. Monitor speciate education team member data collection for IEP goals, objectives, and transition plans.
12. Ensure the delivery of special education services by outside providers, as applicable.
13. Keep informed of legal requirements and mandates governing special education and assure that staff and programs comply with the requirements.
14. Attend ISD/RESA special education directors' meetings.
15. Engage all new special education staff members in school's training program and facilitate continued professional development through ongoing training opportunities within the school and outside professional environment.
16. Plan and implement professional development for staff; involve staff in continuous improvement through self-evaluation and goal setting.
17. Facilitate and/or participate in all matters of dispute resolution with the Michigan Department of Education and the Office for Civil Rights pertaining to students with disabilities; manage mediation and due process procedures.
18. Work with the Superintendent and the Central Office to ensure special education budget and expenditures are supported by state aid and special education funding sources.
19. Perform all other duties, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: The minimum qualifications needed to perform the essential functions of the job such as education, experience, competencies, knowledge and skills are listed below.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability or competence required.

Education and/or Experience: Master's Degree; a valid administrator certificate; significant experience as a teacher and administrator working with students with disabilities; minimum of 5 years direct development of IEPs; minimum of 5 years administrative/supervisory experience; valid Michigan Teacher's Certificate with at least one endorsement area of special education; demonstrated experience in K-12 education (including teaching); a strong commitment to working cooperatively and collaboratively with local district and ISD personnel; must meet all other requirements for full or temporary state approval as a Director of Special Education.

Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, parents, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematic Skills: Ability to do simple computations, calculate percentages, and use a calculator.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft and/or Google applications and/or willingness to learn needed computer skills specific to this position.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Michigan Administrator Certification and Teacher Certification with at least one area of Special Education. Full or temporary state approval as a Director of Special Education preferred.

Training: Must participate in and complete annual training, professional development, and various other training as deemed appropriate for position.

Other Qualifications: Must pass criminal history records search, physical and drug screen, if required.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information. The employee is frequently required to walk, and move about within the school. The employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk or hear. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters in a school environment. The employee routinely uses standard office/classroom equipment such as computers, tablets, smartboards, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.