BHS Special Education Team Lead

TITLE: BHS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM LEAD
*This position is a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) and is exempt from the union

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an LBS1 (Learning Behavior Specialist) endorsement.
• Extensive knowledge of special education laws, IEP compliance, and best practices for supporting diverse learners.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, with the ability to navigate complex cases involving legal advocacy and parent concerns.
• Experience writing and implementing IEPs, accommodations, and transition plans.
• Experience providing educators with support in implementing effective instructional strategies and classroom management techniques to enhance student learning.
• Exceptional organizational and data management skills, with the ability to track multiple students and ensure compliance deadlines are met.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, and administrators.
• Familiarity with special education case management platforms (e.g., Embrace).
• Ability to complete Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training and engage in physical management when necessary.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Illinois Principal Endorsement or Director of Special Education Endorsement.
• Experience leading IEP meetings as an LEA representative, working with parent advocates and/or legal counsel, or handling complex student cases involving placement decisions.
• Previous experience evaluating non-certified staff and supporting staff professional development.
• Strong knowledge of community-based services and transition planning, including DRS, CAU, respite services, vocational training, and adult support programs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Special Education TOSA serves as the primary daily leader for the Special Education Department at Barrington High School (BHS), supporting the Associate Principal of Student Services and Assistant Principals in ensuring compliance, facilitating IEP processes, and providing problem-solving support for staff, students, and families.

This position will serve as the primary LEA representative in IEP meetings that require additional leadership support, such as those involving advocates, attorneys, adversarial situations, change of placement decisions, or major determinations related to student services. The role also includes overseeing testing accommodations, coordinating special education resources, and ensuring compliance with special education regulations.

Additionally, the TOSA will serve as the district representative at special education resource fairs and maintain strong knowledge of external agencies and community linkages such as DRS (Division of Rehabilitation Services), CAU (Community Alternatives Unlimited), respite services, and other transition supports.

This position does not include classroom teaching responsibilities and is dedicated 100% to special education leadership, compliance, department support, and assisting with case management responsibilities.
 

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and Associate Principal of Student Services

SUPERVISES: Student Services Assistants (SSAs)
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Compliance Support

• Act as the primary daily leader for the Special Education Department, providing direct support to case managers, related service providers, and special education teachers.
• Serve as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative in IEP meetings where additional leadership, compliance oversight, or legal advocacy is required.
• Support problem-solving and compliance efforts by working closely with case managers, administrators, and families to resolve concerns related to services, accommodations, placement, and IEP implementation.
• Ensure that all special education procedures, timelines, and documentation meet ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) compliance standards.
• Assist in monitoring and tracking student progress to ensure IEP implementation is effective and aligned with student needs.
• Serve as a liaison for outside agencies and community resources, connecting students and families with transition services, vocational supports, and external resources such as DRS, CAU, and respite services.
• Represent Barrington 220 as a district representative at local and regional special education resource fairs, ensuring families have access to community support options.

Scheduling & Meeting Coordination

• Attend and facilitate middle school transition meetings, as feasible, prioritizing students with complex or evolving needs to ensure a smooth transition plan to BHS.
• Plan and coordinate all logistics for middle school transition visits to the high school to occur during the school year and summer.
• Serve as a central support in organizing and overseeing testing accommodations for students with IEPs, including SAT, ACT, AP exams, and state-mandated assessments, ensuring successful implementation and advocacy for student needs.
• Ensure IEP progress monitoring data is collected and analyzed to support student programming and placement decisions.

Student & Staff Support

• The TOSA will serve as the primary contact for problem-solving and securing district-level supports as needed to assist students and staff (e.g., BCBA, Special Education Coach, District Social Worker, etc.).
• Assist with student scheduling and course placements, ensuring that students with IEPs are appropriately scheduled for special education services, support classes, and related services.
• Support the wellness team by gathering and analyzing data on student behavior, attendance, and academic progress to help guide intervention planning.
• Provide real-time support to special education staff, assisting with case management, compliance questions, and instructional best practices.
• Oversee the evaluation process for non-certified special education staff, ensuring alignment with district evaluation procedures.
• Be trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), participate on the crisis response team, and engage in physical management as a last resort to ensure student and staff safety.

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a liaison between special education staff, building administration, and district leadership, ensuring alignment of special education services with district initiatives.
• Collaborate with Assistant Principals and the Associate Principal of Student Services on departmental concerns, professional development, and school-wide initiatives related to special education.
• Support the implementation of inclusive practices and accommodations within general education classrooms.
• Facilitate professional development and training sessions for special education staff on IEP compliance, instructional strategies, and legal updates.

Program Oversight & Compliance Monitoring

• Maintain compliance documentation related to IEP services, accommodations, and placement decisions.
• Ensure all IEP meetings, reevaluations, and annual reviews are completed on time and in compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Monitor and oversee progress monitoring data collection to ensure student IEPs are implemented effectively.
• Assist in identifying and addressing areas for improvement in special education programming at BHS.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent use of computers, digital platforms, and other relevant technology to manage documentation, communication, and compliance tracking.
• Occasional light lifting (up to 25 lbs.) may be required for materials, equipment, or supplies.
• Travel within the district may be required to attend meetings, collaborate with feeder schools, or represent the district at resource fairs.
• Occasional evening or after-hours meetings with families, service providers, or staff may be necessary, though infrequent.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: (Completed by Office of Human Resources)