Director, Special Education Teacher Residency Program
About the role
The Director of the Special Education Teacher Preparation Residency Program will lead the creation and implementation of an innovative graduate level residency model at Fairfield University. This program aims to prepare aspiring special education teachers through fieldwork, coursework, mentorship, and community partnerships, grounded in the Jesuit principle of cura personalis.
Responsibilities
- Design the residency model and gradual-release framework; develop all guiding program documents, handbooks, rubrics, and milestone calendars.
- Partner with ESTP faculty and the department chair to align or redesign courses and shepherd curriculum through the university's approval process.
- Manage the Year 1 program budget; maintain complete records and serve as primary liaison to the funder and grants office at Fairfield University.
- Collaborate across ESTP on marketing, communications, and institutional visibility.
- Create culturally responsive recruitment targeting preservice candidates, with specific outreach to paraprofessionals and long-term substitutes in partner districts.
- Coordinate admissions with Fairfield University Graduate Admissions in alignment with SEHD and CT SDE educator preparation requirements.
- Design and deliver professional learning for the residency cohort.
- Create tracking and reporting systems.
- Serve as Fairfield's primary liaison to school districts; build sustained relationships with district leadership, principals, and mentor special education teachers.
- Design and deliver mentor teacher professional development.
- Coordinate distribution of mentor stipends.
- Design and maintain a data system tracking all required indicators.
- Submit accurate, on-schedule reports to the funder with narrative analysis of program impact.
Requirements
- Master's degree in special education, education, or Educational Leadership, CT State Certification in education, and minimum five (5) PK-12 experience.
- Demonstrated experience coaching teachers or teacher candidates with measurable impact on instructional practice.
- Experience designing and facilitating professional development for adult learners.
- Experience managing multi-faceted teams including administrators, educational professionals, faculty, staff, and students.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion with a professional record of work in or alongside historically underserved communities.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Experience working with grant-funded programs; proficiency in data management and grant reporting.
Qualifications
- Doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in Special Education or a related field.
- Certification in Special Education.
- Experience teaching in an urban or high-needs school.
- Direct experience within a formal teacher residency program (any role).
- Familiarity with Connecticut's Alliance District framework, the TEAM mentoring program, and CT SDE educator preparation requirements.
- Established relationships with CT school communities; higher education experience a plus.
Skills
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proficiency in data management and grant reporting.
Benefits
Fairfield University offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, tuition benefits, and paid time off, consistent with university policy for exempt administrative staff.
Pay
$70,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Schedule
Based at Fairfield University's main campus with regular travel to partner school sites. Occasional state and national travel. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required. This is a grant-funded position; continuation is contingent upon program performance and funding availability.