Parent Mentor

Special Education Parent Mentor Job Description

Classification: Classified

REPORTS TO: Special Education Director

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Work Year – 10 Months – Grant Position

Position Summary:

A Parent Mentor is a parent or immediate family member of a child with a disability who currently receives or has received special education services through an IEP. The parent mentor is hired by a local school district to assist other parents with navigating services and bridging the gap between home, school, and community. He/she brings the lived experiences that assist teachers and educators in understanding the family side of the equation.

Qualifications:

• Must be a parent or immediate family member of a child with a disability who is receiving or has previously received special education related services through an IEP.
• Must have the desire to assist other families in building effective partnerships with schools and the community that lead to greater achievement for their child.
• Must have great verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have strong computer skills and be comfortable using technology.
• Must work well with others.
• Associate degree or higher is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop an Annual Plan, with the support of the Special Education Director or assigned administrator, on the focused work to impact an identified goal.
• Prepare a Final Report on the results of the work accomplished.
• Track family and educator contacts and submit a Quarterly Contact Summary Report.
• Provide professional learning opportunities as well as information packets that meet the needs of the parents of children with disabilities.
• Network with community, state, and national agencies to provide parents, teachers and administrators with up-to-date information pertaining to special education.
• Form effective partnerships with parents, teachers, and school administrators in order to foster positive relationships.
• Develop an effective communication plan that creates and supports collaboration between parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders.
• Keep families and community informed about ongoing events, workshops, resources, and other special education news (ie: newsletters, website, eboards, emails, social media, etc.)
• Assist parents to improve their understanding of the special education process.
• Serve on district committees.
• Attend all required trainings for Parent Mentors in Georgia, including but not limited to: Annual GaPMP Kickoff Conference, four (4) regional drive-in trainings, and University drive-in training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTE: Employee will have access to a wealth of support from Calhoun's Special Education Department, The Georgia Department of Education, and current parent mentors throughout the state of Georgia to provide guidance and ensure success within the district.

This description may be changed at any time. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Board. Calhoun County Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

The Calhoun County School System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender or disability in our educational programs or activities.