Preschool Special Education Coordinator - Stoneham, United States - Stoneham Public Schools

Stoneham Public Schools

Verified Company

Stoneham, United States

1 week ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

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Description

_Special Education Coordinator - Building Based_
Stoneham Public Schools, Stoneham MA

The role of the Special Education Coordinator is to ensure compliance with established Special Education policies, procedures and regulations; to manage the team process including referral, eligibility determination; to ensure consistent quality of IEPs; and to provide ongoing supervision and support to special educators, paraprofessionals and related service providers.

Special Education Coordinators schedule and chair initial and reevaluation team meetings and annual review and progress meetings, as needed.

In addition to case management, a primary responsibility of the Special Education Coordinator will be to establish and maintain on-going communication with families and to be a resource for information in their school community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Active member of the school based leadership team to assist the Principal with compliance and implementation of required Special Education services, procedures and regulations.
Lead weekly special education department meetings (school based) to review upcoming evaluations and scheduled meetings; review cases and plan and problemsolve.
Case management: Chair Initial and Reevaluation meetings with goal of establishing consistent practices, close monitoring of progress, promoting gradual release of support staff and increased student independence and selfadvocacy
Provide leadership in the implementation of evidence based, inclusive practices in the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities.
Provide ongoing support and consultation to principal and staff in the school's specialized education programs (e.g. Languagebased RISE, STRIDE,)
Serve as a resource to parents regarding the special education process, procedures and services related to referral, eligibility and services.
Receive referral requests for initial evaluations and call parent/guardian to specify referring questions related to the suspected area of disability.
Collaborate with building principal and district departments in the delivery of special education services, supporting staff and scheduling common planning/meetings for general and special educators
Support special educators and related service providers with scheduling students
Collaborate with Director of Special Education and Special Education Coordinator colleagues, weekly, to discuss, review and assist in determining program needs and procedures and ensuring consistency and vertical alignment.
Assign and schedule evaluations.
Regularly observe the classroom environment to support staff and students.
Coordinate meetings for rising fifth grade students and rising ninth grade students with other Special Education Coordinators to ensure smooth transitions from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school.
Provide leadership for one of the following, as assigned by the Superintendent or designee: Out of District students; SEL training; or mentoring and professional development for special educators and paraprofessionals.
Other appropriate responsibilities as assigned by the building principal.
Participate as a member of working groups/committees at the request of the building principal.
Ensures timelines are met with the transition from Early Intervention to public school, with an understanding of Indicator 12 at the forefront of this work.
Attends Transition Planning Conferences with Early Intervention and establishes positive working relationships with parents through the intake process.
Facilitates, in collaboration with the Preschool Director, transition meetings to support students transitioning out of preschool and into kindergarten and works with stakeholders to create grids that reflect kindergarten programming.

Education, certification, licensure

Masters degree in Special Education or related field, required
Supervisor's/Director's DESE license, Admin of Special Education, Required
SEI Endorsement or ESL Certification

Experience

Experience in special education leadership and supervisory responsibilities, required
Successful teaching experience in field of special education or related field, required
Experience and skilled in assessment procedures, analysis and interpretation of results of testing, required
Knowledge of research based best practices in assessment, intervention (MTSS) and specialized instructional programming, preferred.

Essential knowledge, skills:

Knowledge of special education regulation and laws related to referral, evaluation and team processes in Massachusetts public schools.
Experience with digital databases such as ESPED, Powerschool etc.
Ability to effectively communicate both in verbal and written form with students, staff, parents and community members.
Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
Strong organizational skills
Collaborative philosophy towards shared leadershi