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