Exceptional Learning Specialist SYSTEMWIDE

Job Goal: To assist in the organization, management, instructional leadership and monitoring of the Exceptional Learning Communities of the Madison City School District Special Education Program.

Qualifications:

1. Valid Alabama teaching certificate with certification in Special Education
2. Master's of Education degree or equivalent certification in Special Education and/or Educational Leadership and Administration
3. At least three years teaching experience as a special education teacher and/or resource specialist desired
4. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Special Education Director

Background Check Required: (Ala. Code §§ 16-22A-5) upon offer of employment, employees will be required to submit legible fingerprints for a background review by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Background checks must not be more than 10 years old. A new background check is required for anyone new to Madison City Schools, regardless of the recency of the ABI and FBI background checks.  

Student Safety & Security: Madison City Schools prioritizes a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment. Employees are expected to model professional conduct, maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with students, use district-approved channels for communications, and avoid interactions that could be perceived as favoritism, grooming, or undue familiarity. Staff must promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement authorities as required by Alabama law. Compliance with these expectations is a condition of employment.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Working knowledge of federal, state and local special education rules, regulations, and practices
2. Broad knowledge of theories, principles, practices and methodology of special education
3. Knowledge and experience of Assistive Technology to provide evaluation, modeling and training to staff and parents on communication and technology supports, preferred
4. Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities
5. Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgement
6. Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills
7. Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise
8. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
9. Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy
10. Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and diligence
11. Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all
12. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to Special Education instructional programs
13. Possess the physical and emotional ability to fulfill the contract period

Essential Functions:

1. Ensure compliance under all state and federal mandates including but not limited to IDEA
2. Monitor and support self-contained special education programs (Exceptional Learning Communities) throughout the district
3. Collaborate and coordinate with system-wide administrators, supervisors, principals and specialists in the implementation of quality instructional programing
4. Monitor and support self-contained special education programs throughout the district
5. Help prepare state and federal reports per compliance mandates
6. Provides consultation to special education teachers, administrators, support personnel, parents and regular teachers regarding the writing and implementation of Individual Educational Plans
7. Collaborates with special education teachers, school leaders, and other experts to improve learning outcomes for students with disabilities. This includes but is not limited to direct instructional coaching, professional development, analysis of progress data, seeking out academic and behavioral instructional strategies, and assisting with implementation
8. Will consult with school site certified personnel to ensure district compliance with special education law
9. Communicates effectively, and in a timely manner, with parents and guardians of special needs students to address complaints, issues and concerns
10. Monitor and ensure the special education program's effectiveness on a regular basis
11. Confer with and assist teachers on a one-to-one basis as well as small groups in organizational, compliance, instructional and management techniques
12. Serve as representative and advisor to community and/or system organizations as appropriate
13. Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

• This position will be subject to the Students First Act of 2011. Madison City Schools reserves the right to fill this position by transfer of a qualified applicant who is already employed by Madison City Schools.

• Under the Students First Act of 2011, no credit toward tenure or non-probationary status is earned in the initial school year of employment if the date of hire occurs after September 30.    

Expected Employment: 240 days (full year)

Evaluation: According to established Board policies and administrative procedures and guidelines

Salary Range: According to Madison City Schools Salary Schedule (Salary based on employment for complete year)

For School District information, please click here (right click and select "Open in new tab")

For Madison City Schools Salary Schedule, please click here (right click and select "Open in new tab")