Director of Special Education and ELL
Company: Perspectives Charter Schools
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 28, 2023
Job Description:
Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
Perspectives Charter Schools Network - Chicago, IL
Education Level
4 Year Degree
Job Shift
Day
Job Category
Other
Description
Perspectives Charter Schools Network is seeking an Director of
Special Education and ELL for the 2023 - 202d school year!
About Perspectives Charter Schools
At Perspectives, our A Disciplined Life - education model teaches
the whole child. We combine academic rigor, social emotional
learning, and experiential opportunities to establish a culture of
trust, curiosity and achievement. As one of the first charter
schools in Illinois and founded by teachers, our mission is to
provide students with a holistic, rigorous and relevant education,
based on the ethical principles of A Disciplined Life -, preparing
them for life in a changing world and helping them further become
intellectually reflective, caring and ethical people engaged in a
meaningful life. With 5 schools in three campuses, the Perspectives
network has served public school students in grades 6 -12 on our
city's southside for over 20 years. Our scholars come from some of
the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country and graduate
from high school with a plan to enroll in college or trade school,
and take with them the tools to persist in college and career. The
keys to our success are our dedicated, hard-working, creative, and
compassionate colleagues.
Perspectives' Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
We are committed to reducing barriers and fostering an anti-racist,
non-discriminatory and inclusive environment by internalizing our
core values of A Disciplined Life - and ensuring that our practices
allow our diverse population of students and staff to grow, thrive,
and excel.
LOCATION:
Support Hub of Perspectives (SHOP); 1530 S. State St. 2nd Floor,
Chicago, IL 60605
Be the Director of Special Education and ELL at Perspectives, where
we live A Disciplined Life -.
JOB PURPOSE
At Perspectives, we pride ourselves in the quality of support that
we give to our students. We are committed to providing an equitable
and inclusive education for all that includes outstanding support
services for our students, which are rooted in the 26 principles of
A Disciplined Life - (our social emotional learning culture and
curriculum.) The Director of Special Education and ELL will help to
support each Perspectives campus to achieve successful outcomes for
special education and English language learner students through
increasing the leadership capacity of school-based leaders by
deepening everyone's subject matter expertise and supporting the
implementation of the Network's vision for Special Education and
ESL. The Director will plan and execute network professional
development focused on evidence-based instructional practices,
playing a critical role in the development of our Special Education
and English Language teachers. The Director will work with the Vice
President of Student Supports to evaluate special education and ESL
programming by conducting walkthroughs, audits, and data analysis.
Finally, the DSE will provide coaching and support to teachers,
instructional leaders, and school leaders regarding best practices
in instruction. At Perspectives, we are committed to providing a
caring community of dedicated staff that meet the diverse academic,
emotional, and social needs of our scholars. Our ultimate goal is
that we give our students an education that will allow them to be
positive change agents in their communities and lead meaningful
post-secondary lives.
WHAT YOU'LL DO: CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic Rigor
- Under the guidance of the Vice President of Student Supports,
support the Implementation of the Network's Vision for Special
Education and ELL Services by planning and implementing network and
school based professional development and training for all
staff.
- Analyze data and student work from major assessments with
instructional leaders at each school and make recommendations about
responding to misconceptions and implementing instructional next
steps.
- Serve as a point person for the instructional elements of the
Special Education and ESL program at each Perspectives campus.
- Monitor programs, including instruction and MTSS, to ensure
that students make progress towards individual and grade wide goals
and make and communicate changes and improvements to content as
needed.
- Review and respond to assessment data by deploying coaching
support to places most in need and/or making adjustments and
modifications to curriculum materials.
- Participate in routine meetings with the Student Supports team
to solve tactical matters, engage in strategic work together, and
build content.
- Participate in Perspectives walk through's, to objectively
evaluate schools on instructional practices and to generate
feedback designed to move schools forward.
- By working with leaders in school, build school-based leaders'
special education and English language learner content knowledge
and instructional leadership capacity -- this may include engaging
in walk-throughs, student work analysis protocols, coaching,
leading and monitoring team meetings, supporting PD
implementation.
- Ensure that every one of our schools is creating equitable
experiences for all students by increasing support at high-needs
campuses when needed, including coaching of teachers.
- Analyze data and student work from major assessments with
instructional leaders at each school and make recommendations about
responding to misconceptions and implementing instructional next
steps.
- Engage in research and professional development opportunities
within and outside of the team, to continuously grow and develop
Perspectives' knowledge based spread best practices, and improve on
collective coaching and leadership skills.
- Oversee the administration of all Title III required
assessments (WIDA Screener, ACCESS for ELLs) to ensure that they
are administered in accordance with state guidelines in a timely
manner.
- Maintain accurate and complete records as required by state and
federal laws, regional policies, and administrative regulations for
the ELL program; ensure state and federal reporting as
required.
- Manage state and federal Title III requirements including ELL
professional development, ELL parent and community outreach, and
ELL curriculum development.
- Work cooperatively with school administration and staff in
planning, implementing and managing programs and services for
English Language Learners.
- Serve as Perspectives liaison to Chicago Public Schools in all
matters concerning English Language Learners.
- Work cooperatively with the district testing coordinator for
all ELL testing needs.
- Leverage research, best practices and deep personal expertise
around special education and ESL to design and articulate clear
theories of pedagogy, develop intervention programs, implement
curriculum and assess efficacy to improve the delivery of
services.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the
supervisor. Social Emotional & Ethical Learning
- Monitors implementation of behavior intervention plans for
diverse learners; makes recommendations and adjustments to
interventions as needed.
- Demonstrate foresight, examine issues and take initiative to
improve the quality of education in the Perspectives network of
schools.
- Cultivate and maintain learning environments where optimal
student growth and achievement can take place. Experiential
Learning
- Maintains professional growth which includes attendance at
training and development programs.
- Seeks out community resources and refers students for services.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree from accredited university with Special
Education LBS1 (PK-Age 21) certification. Master's Degree
preferred. Experience:
- Evidence of success working in an urban school environment is
strongly preferred but not required.
- Evidence of at least five years of leadership experience
working in the field of special education and/or ESL.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent knowledge of Special education
law, particularly the IDEA, the McKinney Vento Act, Section 504,
FERPA, ESSA, ESEA, Illinois Charter Law, and the Illinois School
Code. CHARACTERISTICS YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:
- A strong commitment to live by the 26 principles of A
Disciplined Life and a belief that all students deserve an
excellent education
- A willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve outstanding
student outcomes
- A commitment to life-long learning with the desire to take
advantage of professional development and coaching to constantly
improve PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Position requires availability for extended hours plus
non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. The physical
demands described here are representative of those that must be met
by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of
this job.
- Ability to work on-site while following safety protocols.
- Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business
office equipment. Requires the ability to communicate and exchange
information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up
and maintain work files.
- Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school
environment.
- Physical demands require the ability to stand, walk, use hands
to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach or pull
with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl around the
classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. Must be able to
stand for long periods of time (up to 8 hours) and quickly
ascend/descend stairs and/or being able to walk up and down stairs
several times a day. Constant use of eyes (correctable vision to
normal level required) to observe, read, interact with public and
co-workers, view monitors; includes hand/eye coordination
- Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time
and push and pull 30 to 40 lbs TRAVEL:
Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school
environment. This position may require participation and attendance
at organization sponsored events and meetings.
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Perspectives offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits
package for all full-time employees, including:
- Comprehensive and competitive benefits package
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off including holidays
- Company 403B plan with a 4% match if applicable
- Company contribution towards the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund
if applicable
- Paid life insurance
- Paid short and long term disability.
- ISBE-approved professional development provider
Perspectives Charter Schools works affirmatively to include
diversity among its workforce and does not discriminate in the
selection of its staff on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, income,
marital status, or any other dimension of diversity. We encourage
diverse candidates to apply for this position.
Keywords: Perspectives Charter Schools, Chicago , Director of Special Education and ELL, Executive , Chicago, Illinois
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