Learning Specialist (NY)

About the role

Excellence Community Schools (ECS) is a Charter Management Organization supporting schools in the Bronx, NY and Stamford, CT. Our programs are based on a proven, nationally recognized model originating from our flagship Bronx Charter School for Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon School. We prepare young scholars to compete for admission to and succeed in top public, private, and parochial high schools by cultivating their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and ethical development through a challenging, rigorous academic curriculum with an early eye toward college preparation. Our differentiated, project-based learning environment develops high-level analytic and critical thinking skills, implemented by a collaborative team of teachers.

We seek dedicated, ambitious individuals committed to student success and education reform who demonstrate records of achievement, high personal responsibility, and the drive to ensure every child achieves academic success. This role requires a commitment to excellence, leading by example, and seeing collaboration as key to success. This is a 10-month position; direct instructional responsibilities will vary based on school needs and the Learning Specialist's coordination responsibilities for IEP services, teacher case management support, and academic and behavioral intervention needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between district, CSE, and school personnel for special education services provided by the school.
• Oversee and coordinate special education services and personnel to ensure students' needs are being met.
• Provide instructional leadership and direct intervention support within the school's literacy/reading block, including delivering targeted small-group instruction and supporting implementation of evidence-based reading interventions.
• Collaborate with school leadership and teachers to identify, assess, and analyze students at risk of academic or behavioral difficulty; support development, implementation, and monitoring of appropriate interventions; and use student data to inform instructional and intervention decisions.
• Coordinate and monitor an assigned caseload of students receiving IEP services and/or additional intervention support, ensuring IEP programs and services are implemented as required, supporting teachers with effective case management and progress monitoring, and collaborating with school leadership to address student needs.
• Support school-wide academic and behavioral intervention processes, including academic intervention programs and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), by collaborating with leadership and teachers to ensure interventions are implemented, documented, monitored, and adjusted based on student needs and progress.
• Provide specialized instructional support and leadership in progress monitoring, student observations, and consultation with general education teachers.
• Support the development, implementation, and progress monitoring of students' IEPs and instructional programming.
• Coordinate the school's Section 504 processes, including referrals, documentation, meetings, implementation, and monitoring of 504 plans in collaboration with school leadership and relevant staff.
• Coordinate and support school-wide English Language Learner (ELL) identification, documentation, instructional support, and compliance protocols and processes in collaboration with school leadership and instructional staff.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to the education of students with special needs, including ADA, IDEA, and students' IEPs.
• Facilitate the administration of policies and procedures related to students with special needs and other student support processes.
• Support faculty in the implementation of effective, differentiated classroom instruction and management.
• Support, prepare, and submit requisite reports in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate a relentless pursuit to promote excellence in student achievement and conduct and maintain and exemplify a culture of high expectations and accountability for scholarly and professional conduct.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in special education or related field required.
• New York State Special Education Certification required.
• Minimum 3 years of successful teaching experience required.
• Previous experience in leadership role preferred.
• Track record of accomplishment and achievement required.
• Experience with and commitment to improving the quality of urban education, specifically for scholars who have been traditionally underserved required.

Pay

Salary range $68,735 – $143,740, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Health Insurance, dental, vision
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off / Paid Sick Leave / Parental Leave / FMLA
• Short-term and Long-term Disability benefits and Life Insurance
• $5,000 Tuition Reimbursement