OUR MISSION

Our mission is to prepare college and career-ready students for life-long success.

OUR VISION

We are a premier district of choice that meets the diverse needs of all students by creating an inclusive community that fosters a strong sense of self-worth.

DISTRICT CULTURE

Southwest Public Schools believes in promoting a culture that embodies and fosters a collaborative approach to learning. Staff relationships are collegial, collaborative, and productive, and all staff members are held to high professional standards. Mistakes are not seen as failures, but as opportunities to learn and grow for both students and educators.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Special Education will provide support to schools to increase student academic achievement, ensure equity and access, increase rigor, and close the achievement gap for all students with disabilities at all instructional levels. Responsibilities include consultation and support for the district regarding Special Education including program design, strategies and supports implementation, compliance and professional development focused on students with disabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• Responsible for the accuracy of Special Education PEIMS reporting, Operating Procedures, ARD meetings, instructional services alignment, annual program evaluation, program evaluation reporting to the school board, and other compliance and instructional requirements.
• Provides overall leadership, design, development, supervision, and support for the district’s students with disabilities and other special populations.
• Serves as a resource authority on federal, state, and local laws and policies relating to students with disabilities.
• Encourages and supports the development and implementation of effective instructional programs to achieve identified needs.
• Evaluates and recommends improvement in the purpose, design, materials, and implementation of instructional services aligned to ARD decisions.
• Employs RDA, TELPAS (if applicable), STAAR and other academic and language data findings to improve strategies and supports aligned to content to ensure the academic and language growth of students with disabilities.
• Supports district wide goals and objectives for school and organizational climate.
• Relates to SWPS campus leaders, teachers, staff, students, and families in ways that convey equity and mutual respect.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the Special Education initiatives on an annual basis and coordinates strategic support plans for improvement.
• Ensures that campus leaders, teachers, staff implement initiatives aligned to state and federal policies and procedures.
• Effectively support campus leaders, teachers, staff to ensure overall performance.
• Ensures that policies, state, and federal regulations are implemented district wide to support the academic growth of students with disabilities.
• Attends and participates in regional/national professional development opportunities and disseminates information received throughout the organization as needed.
• Conducts ongoing training and models strategies and techniques for teachers and district/campus leaders.
• Assists teachers, campus leaders and support staff with developing and interpreting data reports.
• Coordinates the integrity of PEIMS reporting for all students with disabilities with campuses for federal and state reporting.
• Works collaboratively with district testing coordinator with local and state assessments.
• Leads related professional development activities in collaboration with other departments to ensure that program and support services are implemented according to federal, state, and local regulations/policies.
• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with multilingual parents, district administrators, and outside agencies to assure that individual student needs are met.
• Performs other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Officer of Special Populations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in special education
• Prior leadership/management experience
• Special Education Certification
• Experience working with diverse student populations, parents, and other stakeholders

OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain regular attendance.
• Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into focus; judge distance (close and distant); reach with arms extended and use hands to manipulate the keyboard, smart board and other office/classroom technology.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds, including but not limited to: books, paper and instructional/office materials/supplies.
• This position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, kneeling and/or the ability to be mobile.
• Ability to travel throughout the district and city as needed by means of personal/private or public transportation in compliance with the state’s department of motor vehicle and/or public transportation laws.

EXPECTED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to build and sustain positive, collaborative relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to plan and present information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to facilitate various size groups using facilitative leadership skills.
• Skills in written and oral communication.
• Skills in planning and organization.
• Knowledge of current trends, methods, research, and technology in area of responsibility.
• In-depth knowledge of assigned program and service area.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

This description describes the general responsibilities and requirements for the stated position and in no way is an exhaustive list. Southwest Public Schools maintains the right to assign or reassign responsibilities to this position at any time.