Academic Coordinator

The Academic Coordinator will be responsible for knowing all applicable regulations, specifically, Chapter 14, compliance monitoring/record maintenance through the Professional Education Plan, monitoring the services of educational support staff, and attend trainings on a regular basis.  The Academic Coordinator will also consult with the Lead Teacher on academic strategies to use in the classroom.  The Academic Coordinator will also develop and maintain quality programming through day to day implementation and monitoring of program aspects that includes but is not limited to the IEP process, work closely with professional staff to develop and implement appropriate data driven Individual Transition Plan for students, and support the Program Director in developing the school calendar as well as developing the school wide training calendar.  The Academic Coordinator will be in charge of implementing the Teacher Induction program and supporting the Teacher Evaluation program in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

To assure that the development, integration, monitoring, and evaluation of identified projects is carried out in an efficient and effective manner, the AC will:

1. Manage multiple program projects simultaneously to completion.
2. Develop and update training manuals for identified aspects of the program
3. Design, train and evaluate content related to educational aspects of the program
4. Participate actively in academic team meetings with classroom teams (as needed)
5. Meet weekly with the Director for supervision, updates, planning, etc.
6. Participate actively in weekly staff meetings with the director/management team
7. Participate in IEP team meetings in which IEP goals are identified for students who of transition age or are nearing readiness for transition ;
8. Ensure that the IEP team develop and implement the transition outcomes, instructional areas, and services needed for students with disabilities;
9. Identify necessary in-school and community supports for effective transition;
10. Network with all appropriate community agencies and organizations;
11. Participate in the team’s evaluation of whether or not the transition section of the IEP is working and facilitate adjustments as necessary

To assure that records are maintained in accordance with county, state, and federal regulations, the AC will:

1. Implement designated record reviews and compliance activities.
2. Ensure program management is abreast of concerns and issues pertaining to records and compliance activities
3. Participate in compliance activities across the agency
4. Support and assist in the implementation of the teacher evaluation system

To help assure coordinated school-wide activities, the Academic Coordinator will:

1. Participate in all transition team meetings held;
2. Work with the Program Director and Behavioral Supports Coordinator in the planning and implementation of all school-wide extracurricular activities.
3. Be used as a resource for classroom support
4. Take on the role of Special Education teacher as necessary

To coordinate and infuse program components across the education programs to ensure quality programming, the AC will:

1. Identify program components that require continuous quality improvement across programming,
2. Develop, monitor and evaluate plans for improvement
3. Elaborate upon the current program aspects to enhance the education and treatment of students in the program.
4. Implement components of all Re-ED values

To assure the continued professional growth of the staff and his/her own, the AC will:          

1. Ensure that each staff member including the AC completes professional growth activities in compliance with the Board approved Professional Education Plan
2. Chair program committees periodically as requested by Program/Education Director.
3. Attend local, state, and/or national conferences and workshops as requested and/or approved by the Program/Education Director

To promote the professional image of Pressley Ridge in local, state, and National committees, the AC will:

1. Facilitate in-service/training programs internally and to other programs
2. Facilitate formal presentations on program-relevant issues at local state, or national workshops or conventions.

To ensure the safety of all students, the AC will:

1. Adhere to program-designated procedures for all physical contact with students during physical interventions, student searches, and other related activities;
2. Assist other staff, as needed, in physical interventions to protect students and staff from harm and ensure that proper procedures are followed

To assure the continued availability and monitoring of high quality services the AC will:

1. Interview applicants, share interview data and participate in selection discussion with the management team;
2. Maintain comprehensive records of staff performance;
3. Conduct formal verbal and written evaluations of each staff member at 6 months of service, 12 months, and annually thereafter (written evaluation reports will be reviewed and signed by the Director);
4. Offer recommendations to the Director in regards to the merit increase in accordance within the compensation guidelines;
5. Participate in the development and implementation of the professional education plan, specifically in regards to the behavioral/mental health programming;
6. Participate in program development of a culturally sensitive model of delivery of services to students and families;
7.    Observe and document behaviors in relation to delivery of services
8.      Assure the use of available academically related technology by throughout the program through the use of the internet, electronic documentation and  electronic communication.