Interim Education Specialist: Extensive Needs
About
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998, Aspire aims to transform inequitable outcomes through its open-enrollment public charter school system.
Job Summary
The Education Specialist Extensive Support Needs instructs students with Individualized Education Plans in an inclusive environment. This role works directly within a school site and collaborates regularly with Special Education staff and may work with outside consultants and district personnel as needed.
Essential Functions
Administer academic assessments, write the academic assessment report and present at IEP meetings
Consult and communicate with faculty and parents via meetings, phone, and email regarding the needs and progress of students
Maintain knowledge of current regulations pertaining to special education
Collaborate with faculty to ensure that students modifications and accommodations are being appropriately implemented in the general education classroom
Avoid meeting the minimum IDEA requirements related to case management
Maintain a high level or rigor for students with disabilities in order to ensure equitable access to common core and/or alternate curriculum standards
Regularly collaborate with team members for the purposes of: reviewing student data, ensuring IEP implementation, co-planning and/or co-teaching
Develop, provide and oversee alternate curriculum and testing for eligible students
Implement health and mobility supports (i.e. provide 1:1 support to student in classroom, support student/s with toileting needs, assist with health-related needs (g-tube, feeding, administration of medication) (under supervision of school nurse) and assist with the physical needs of students (lifting/ assisting with mobility, implementing student stretching/exercise routines.)
Oversee, teach and implement a student’s behavior intervention plan, including gathering and analyzing relevant data on a regular basis, and collaborating with staff members around student plan and progress
Create and maintain notifications, records, files, and reports as required by federal, state, and SELPA regulations
Coordinate the development and implementation of a student’s Individualized Transition Program, especially students in the 16-22 program
Be able to effectively run a program for students with extensive needs with specially designed instruction to meet their IEP goals, and support students’ progress within the general education class with appropriately modified/accommodated work
Collaborate with related service providers to ensure the proper implementation of AAC/functional communication, behavior intervention plans, physical/mobility needs, etc.
Utilizes Aspire’s Alternate Curriculum guidelines to inform student programming
Daily oversight of paraprofessional support, including the staff schedule and implementation of IEP services
Develop a thorough progress monitoring tool for students, that is regularly shared with staff and parents and used for team decision-making
Communicate on a frequent basis with parents of students around student progress, and collaborate to gain parent input
Collaborate with outside providers as needed and appropriate, with parent consent
Qualifications
CA Special Education Teaching Credential (Moderate-Severe Education Specialist, Education Specialist-Extensive Needs) required
Bridge Authorizations for Moderate-Severe credentials received prior to June of 2022
Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
Competencies
Expertise in applicable grade-level Common Core State Standards and Academic IEP goal development
Knowledge around the models of co-teaching and serving students with disabilities in an inclusive model
Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed
Alignment to and urgency around Aspire’s mission, vision and values
Physical Requirements
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
Communicating with others to exchange information
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.