What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Alternate Curriculum Specialist position at Pueblo Nuevo Education & Development Group?
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) is a network of charter schools serving students across the PK-Post Secondary continuum in the Greater MacArthur Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Pueblo Nuevo Education Development Group (PNEDG) is CNCA’s resource development and capacity building arm. PNEDG invests in young people to foster personal transformation and generational social change. PNEDG staff support and build capacity for CNCA schools in achieving their vision. The organizations are grounded in the beliefs that public education is a civil right and all students deserve an excellent education that will prepare them for success in life. At CNCA/PNEDG, we recognize that lower income and immigrant communities often face institutional and cultural barriers that create impediments to students’ success, and that an excellent education must eliminate these barriers. We integrate a strong focus on progressive, research-based academics with a holistic, place-based approach to serving our students. Since opening its doors in 2001, CNCA has grown to six schools and nearly 3,500 students. Our goal is that CNCA graduates will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and worldview necessary to be literate, critical thinkers and independent problem solvers.
Organizational Leadership Capacities
We believe that every individual who works at the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Home Support Office must embody key mindsets and possess foundational skills to contribute to the organizational leadership of the organization.
Mindsets
Commitment to and belief in CNCA’s mission and vision
Belief in and embodiment the CNCA Anchors in all aspects of the work
Commitment to the vision of a progressive, socially-just education and is able to inspire others towards that vision
Solution orientation and belief in supporting others to be the same
Commitment to an asset-based, capacity-building approach
Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Skills
Ability to support an inclusive, positive and high performing culture
Ability to take ownership in the day-to-day and overall success of the organization
Ability to think critically, use sound judgment and problem solve
Ability to work independently and proactively and to seek support and guidance when appropriate
Strong organizational and time management skills, with an ability to prioritize competing projects in a fast-paced, fluid environment
Effective collaboration with individuals at all levels of the organization
Respect, humility and discretion to work effectively with all stakeholders, including colleagues, families and members of the community
Strong self-awareness and ability to reflect
Location: Hybrid (Home Support Office, school sites, virtual)
Supervisor: Director of Special Education
Work Periods: Full Time, 12 Month
Direct Supervision Exercised: As Assigned
Class: Certificated, Exempt
The Opportunity
The Special Education Alternate Curriculum Specialist, in partnership with the Home Support Office Central Special Education Team, supports the implementation of a socially just, research-based, innovative instructional approach across our Dynamic Blended Inclusion model to ensure success in CNCA’s mission. The Special Education Alternate Curriculum Specialist maintains knowledge of current research, best practices and trends on a national and state level to provide direction and guidance to the central special education team, as well as teachers and special education administrators. Ultimately, the Special Education Alternate Curriculum Specialist works strategically at a systems level to implement structures and strategies to close the opportunity and achievement gap.
Responsibilities:
Strategy and Vision Setting Responsibilities
Strategically monitor, track, and ensure the ongoing development and growth of identified students across the organization on alternate curriculum.
Consistently analyze access to students’ LRE through ongoing classroom observation, data analysis, and examination of students’ work
Teams and Performance Management Responsibilities
Inspire internal and external stakeholders to believe in the possibility and eventual reality of CNCA’s mission
Represent the organization, academic team, and home office staff professionally, respectfully, and collaboratively
Approach work from an asset based, capacity-building approach
Partner with the academic team, home office staff, and school site staff to effectively accomplish the goals of the organization to drive towards our mission
Be problem-solution oriented and support others to be the same
Participate in all Central Special Education team meetings
Participate in all Home Support Office meetings
Support the building of a positive, high-performing culture on the academic team and home office
Set ambitious personal and professional goals and take ownership of developing capacity to achieve these goals
Support site teachers in appropriately modifying the curriculum for the academic needs for students with the most significant impact of disabilities
Provide individualized classroom-based modeling/support for identified teachers with students on alternate curriculum to support them in strengthening instructional practices for students on alternate curriculum.
Provide content knowledge and resources to teachers and leaders about learning and teaching including alternate curriculum instructional best practices, alternate curriculum development, creation of alternate curriculum formative and summative assessments, and analysis of alternate curriculum assessment results.
Assist general education and special education teachers in aligning their teaching and instruction with appropriate standards and IEP goals, curriculum, and assessments
Provide relevant professional learning opportunities and training for school site staff
Compliance and Management Responsibilities
Participate in IEPs when appropriate to ensure appropriate support and accurate data
Collaborate and consult with the RSP teacher and general education teacher in the creation of present levels of performance and IEP goals for IEPs
Collaborate and consult on IEP goal progress reports with RSP teacher/s in conjunction with school reporting periods
Conduct regular observations of students on alternate curriculum, as well as observations of teachers working with students on alternate curriculum
Provide modeling and consult supports for teachers of students on alternate curriculum
Administrating alternate curriculum assessments for students as part of evaluations
Consult on appropriate adaptive skills and transitional goals for students on alternate curriculum
Ensure effective communication and positive interactions with all CNCA stakeholders
Act as an organizational representative and liaison with all outside parties
Adhere to all laws and guidelines set forth by the IDEA and the MCD
Collaborate effectively and efficiently will individuals at all levels of the organization
Other duties as assigned
Salary : $85,000 - $97,638