Director of Special Education

About the role

WHIN Music Community Charter School is the first school of its kind, built on the principles of El Sistema. We are a community where staff, families, and students work together to make a powerful shift in public education that puts learners’ needs first.

Our mission is to provide our diverse student population with rigorous academic instruction, intensive music education, and a positive learning environment so that every student can thrive academically and personally. We believe in collaboration with families, restorative justice, inquiry-based hands-on learning, and authentic learning experiences.

We are seeking a high-performing Director of Special Education (DSE) to help grow a unique school community where compassion, kindness, and curiosity drive each day. The DSE reports to the Principal and ensures all students learn their best by supporting and preparing teachers to perform at a high caliber.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between district, CSE, and school personnel for special education services provided by the school.
• Coordinate and oversee special education services and personnel to ensure students’ needs are being met.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to the education of students with special needs, including ADA, IDEA, and students’ IEPs.
• Oversee and implement the School’s Response to Intervention program and monitor school-wide and classroom progress toward goals.
• Provide specialized instructional support and leadership in progress monitoring, student observations, and consultation with both special and general education teachers.
• Support the development of students’ IEPs and curriculum development.
• Observe and coach teachers daily and assume teaching responsibilities as needed; help teachers develop instructional strategies and provide feedback through real-time coaching.
• Monitor and implement the school’s Special Education Program, including compliant timely response to parent inquiries, student assessment, and reporting.
• Lead the Child Study Team (CST) in determining when external Related Services Providers are needed and ensure they meet the needs of individual students.
• Contribute to the Principal’s evaluation of academic staff.
• Prepare and conduct high-quality professional development, data review sessions, and Special Education team meetings.
• Determine and coordinate high-quality internal and external professional development opportunities for staff.
• Lead the development and administration of school-wide policies and procedures related to students with special needs.
• Participate in staff recruitment.
• Compile, analyze, and share student data with the Principal in a timely manner.
• Partner with related service providers to progress monitor, schedule sessions, and push-in to music classes for occupational therapy when applicable.

Requirements

• NY State (or equivalent) Certification in Special Education.
• Minimum Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education (Master’s preferred).
• Two years (minimum) of classroom experience.

Skills

• Demonstrated success ensuring students with disabilities meet established goals.
• Ability to work well on a team and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as take coaching as needed.
• School leadership, teacher mentor, or coaching experience preferred.
• Experience in urban schools and/or communities.
• Sense of humor and kindness toward colleagues.
• Advanced proficiency in one or more of the following areas is strongly preferred:
  • Bilingual (Spanish).
  • Music performance.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000.

Benefits

• Retirement Plans:
  • Tier 1: 1-2 years of service at WHIN = 5% match.
  • Tier 2: 2-5 years of service at WHIN = 7.5% match.
  • Tier 3: 5+ years of service at WHIN = 10% annual match.
• Up to four medical plans through Cigna’s Open Access Plus Network, all of which include free preventative care.
• Life insurance, short-term disability, optional pet insurance, and Norton Lifelock.