Dean of Special Services at KIPP Denver Collegiate (26/27 School Year)

Professional Responsibilities

• Believe deeply in the mission, values, and RIDE commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn
• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement
• Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines
• Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning
• Take ownership for the development of your craft and engage actively in coaching sessions
• Commit to being prepared
• Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules
• Leverage existing professional tools, such as Google Suite and Microsoft Suite
• Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities
• Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement
• Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals
• Participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings
• Engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives
• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement
• Travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events as required
• Assist with other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, hallway duty, school support duties, etc.)

Lead with KIPP Values

• Internalizes, champions, and holds self & others accountable to KIPP Colorado values
• Demonstrates the ability to understand and navigate issues of identity, power, and privilege
• Values the range of different backgrounds people bring to our work, appreciates how those backgrounds make us better at what we do, and strives to create an environment in which everyone who demonstrates our values and delivers on their responsibilities thrives
• Expresses high expectations for all students and families, and expresses belief in their potential to complete college and succeed in life
• Sets high expectations for all students and families, and expresses belief in their potential to complete college and succeed in life
• Sets high expectations for all students and families, and expresses belief in their potential to complete college and succeed in life
• Sets high expectations for all students and families, and expresses belief in their potential to complete college and succeed in life
• Seeks to understand the needs and motivations of students and families, and makes decisions with student best interests and needs in mind

Lead through Instructional and Cultural Leadership

• Collaborate with the Assistant Principal of Instruction, Principal, key stakeholders, and the Regional Director of Special Services to drive vision for strong Special Education instruction, compliance systems, and programming in support of students with IEPs and 504 plans
• Manage and evaluate campus-based Special Education teachers and aligned Special Education staff, as applicable to campus programming, to achieve their individual development goals, coordinate action plans for professional growth, and evaluate progress toward student outcomes, campus-wide goals, and compliance timelines
• Provide continuous coaching and evaluation on all competencies of the KIPP Colorado teacher performance rubrics
• Lead a consistent coaching cycle for Special Education teachers that includes observation, feedback, modeling, lesson and intervention planning support, progress monitoring, and development of strong case management and compliance practices
• Support teachers in monitoring and responding to the growth of students towards individual and school goals through the implementation of data cycles
• Partner with school social workers, Assistant Principals of Culture, and external supports, including outside agencies and DPS partners, to support student mental health needs as they intersect with Special Education programming and student access to instruction
• Coordinate contracted service providers (school psychologist, occupational therapists, physical therapist, speech therapist, etc)
• Partner with the Assistant Principal of Instruction and other campus leaders to align Special Education processes within the campus MTSS system, including intervention review, referral pathways, data based decision making, and evaluation readiness
• Lead and coach staff to implement Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans with consistency, fidelity, equity, and alignment to student needs and legal requirements
• Collaborate with the Assistant Principal of Instruction, Deans of Instruction, and other school leaders to use student data to identify students who may need additional support, intervention, or referral for evaluation, with particular attention to students who may qualify for Special Education services or need stronger implementation of existing services
• Manage, develop, and oversee implementation of 504s and the Special Education program, including compliance systems, service delivery, instructional supports, and case management routines for students with disabilities
• Manage reduced caseload of students with IEPs (as needed)
• Provide development opportunities for school leaders and teachers to strengthen inclusive practices, clarify roles in Special Education implementation, and partner effectively in support of students with disabilities
• Collaborate with the Assistant Principal of Instruction, Principal, and other school leaders to plan and implement professional development that strengthens Special Education instruction, compliance, inclusive practices, and staff capacity to support students with disabilities
• Support school-wide and grade level rituals and systems as needed throughout the year including, but not limited to, arrival, dismissal, and lunch
• Provide collaborative coaching for general education and special education teachers as needed with regard to implementation of student services
• Determines the need for and facilitates staff development on legal compliance including, but not limited to, due process requirements, procedures, forms, and timelines in alignment to local, state, and federal law
• Support onboarding of new staff in KIPP Colorado and Denver Public Schools procedures and practices related to Special Education services and compliance
• Provides information to parents regarding the referral/assessment process, special education services, and their rights relative to special education

Lead through Curriculum & Assessment Leadership

• Lead weekly Special Education team meetings focused on compliance, progress monitoring, data analysis, curriculum alignment, and planning
• Oversee and ensure accountable implementation of assessment measures aligned to progress monitoring for exceptional learners
• Analyze schoolwide and student level data to recommend instructional improvements for students with disabilities
• Coordinate assessment planning and implementation for students with IEPs in partnership with school leaders
• Coordinate logistics for assessment needed to inform next steps with relevant academic interventions
• Assists the Assistant Principal of Instruction in analyzing, developing, and modifying special education programs to meet the needs of students

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete MLE coursework and certification requirements (required for most roles)
• Partner with the Assistant Principal of Instruction and Special Education Teachers to ensure proper implementation of 504s, BIPs, IEPs, safety plans, accommodations, modification, and language support for students
• Enforce positive behavior systems and monitor behavior data
• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties, chaperone field trips, participate in parent meetings, conferences, and periodic evening events
• Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events and phone calls home
• Communicate regularly with families about academic progress and behavior