POSITION FUNCTION/PURPOSE

The Special Education Program Specialist will serve as an on-site professional development leader who collaborates with teachers to use proven practices in providing instructional support to students that receive special education services. The Special Education Program Specialist will conduct on-site teacher training and coaching, providing a variety of instructional approaches and interventions to teachers in response to teacher needs and analysis of student achievement. The Program Specialist will coordinate and ensure provision of staff development to all special services department staff.

Essential Functions

1. Provide content and instructional expertise as well as on-site technical assistance and professional development.

2. Assist teachers in providing quality instructional services, developing effective individual educational plans, and using student data to improve student performance.

3. Assist teachers in developing comprehensive individualized support and educational plans to promote placement in the least restrictive settings.

4. Conduct focused observations with “next step” support to teachers.

5. Assist teachers with intervention strategies and implementation of differentiated instruction.

6. Support Professional Learning Communities by providing professional resources, assisting in the design of interventions, and modeling best practices.

7. Serve as trainer and modeler of effective research-based structured teaching strategies.

8. Participate fully in professional development for coaches, including peer observations, professional research and reading, and inquiry sessions.

9. Coordinate the provision of staff development to all members of the special education

10. department.

Qualification Requirements

1. Knowledge of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

2. Knowledge of the development and implementation of structured learning programs.

3. Knowledge of research-based practices related to structured learning.

4. Knowledge of data collection and developing Extended School Year (ESY) plans.

5. Knowledge of the use of instructional accommodations and social skills programs for 

students with disabilities.

6. Knowledge of research of best practices in inclusionary practices for students with

cognitive disabilities.

7. Knowledge of the application of safe and therapeutic Crisis Intervention.

8. Interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) to build relationships with teachers,

students, and school personnel

9. Effective presentation skills

10. Organizational skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands

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. Reasonable accommodations will be made if necessary while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; move throughout the room and/or facility; communicate verbally and electronically; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; kneel, stoop, crouch, and/or crawl; and climb or balance. Regularly required to lift or exert force of up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Regular attendance required.

Equipment used

1. Telephone

2. Computer and printer

3. Calculator

4. Copy Machine

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities. Additionally, the minimum level of education noted as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) as determined by the hiring manager.

Revision Date

11/01/2023

All MISD employees are expected to maintain an extreme degree of confidentiality by following the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for student information and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for employee and student information.

Midland Independent School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for

employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,

color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status,

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by

federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring,

placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and

training.