SUMMARY:

Wakefield Public Schools seeks an exceptional Special Education Coordinator who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to join our community. The Middle School Special Education Coordinator (grades 6-8) works to monitor compliance of special education programming and processes, supervises and supports specialized programs, and evaluates assigned special education personnel at the middle school level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Collaborate with leadership teams and teachers in providing FAPE, LRE, and specialized instruction and services for middle school students with disabilities
• Oversee middle school special education programs; assist in the development of new or expanded programs to continuously meet the fluid needs of special education students
• Support the maintenance and improvement of regulatory compliance
• Oversee initial and re-evaluation processes to ensure that updated, valid testing materials are used and comprehensive reports are produced
• Process referrals for and chair initial and re-evaluation and develop IEPs 
• Oversee team chairs with up-to-date rosters, program rosters, liaison caseloads, liaison assignments, and related service provider caseloads
• Consult with and support Special Education Teachers and related service providers in their responsibilities to chair Annual Reviews and to develop IEPs 
• Review IEPs after Annual Reviews prior to sending home and liaise with Special Education Teacher to provide feedback on quality of IEP writing
• Assist special education teachers with complex Team meetings, privately placed/parochial students, or as assigned by the Director of Special Education
• Ensure all students with disabilities are succeeding academically and behaviorally by monitoring and reviewing Progress Reports; provide feedback on the quality of Progress Report writing, and assist with developing/refining data tracking systems to monitor student progress 
• Provide support to special education teachers regarding research-based and effective instructional and social-emotional-behavioral practices
• Coordinate elementary to middle and middle to high school transitions in collaboration with other Special Education Coordinators 
• Plan and conduct relevant and ongoing professional development for special education faculty/staff
• Support and monitor all contentious cases or cases involving attorneys and advocates; participate in dispute resolution meetings, hearings and mediation settlement meetings as needed
• Support the improvement of student outcomes and strengthen the engagement of families as partners

WORK YEAR: 205 days

COMPENSATION: commensurate with Wakefield Administrators Association (WAA) contract

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in the field of Education
• Five years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in Special Education preferred
• Significant graduate work in Special Education and/or School Administration preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Massachusetts Teaching License with Special Education endorsement; 
• Licensed as an Administrator of Special Education by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education strongly preferred 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

The ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the field of Special Education. Ability to make relationships, collaborate and problem solve issues fundamental in all areas of special education. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of parents, students, teachers, administrators and the general public. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. 

Please sent letter of interest to:

Rosie Galvin, Administrator of Special Education & Student Services

rosie.galvin@wpsk12.org

60 Farm Street

Wakefield, MA 01880