Special Education Coordinator (6-12)

About the role

Great Hearts Lakeside Upper School is seeking a Special Education Coordinator (6-12) to lead the Special Education Department on campus. This leadership role coordinates all aspects of the Child Centered Special Education Process, ensuring the ARD/IEP process and programs for students with disabilities comply with Federal, State, and Local requirements. The SPED Coordinator serves as the "Team Lead" of the department, providing leadership in supporting SPED Teachers, facilitating ARD meetings, guiding teacher and TA development, ensuring compliance with IEP paperwork, and advising on challenging situations with students or parents. They also represent the final decision at the departmental level for organizational logistics and strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and provide specially designed instruction to students receiving special education and related services
• Collaborate with related service providers and general education staff on implementing accommodations and modifications
• Draft and maintain IEPs, Prior Written Notices, and potentially evaluation paperwork, ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines
• Plan and facilitate meetings throughout the special education process
• Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with parents, staff, and administrative staff regarding student planning and progress
• Manage the transition of new enrollees eligible for special education and related services
• Oversee caseload distribution and assignment of students to individual SPED Teachers' caseloads
• Ensure transfer procedure on all incoming students is complete
• Coordinate and facilitate ARD Meetings, FIE's, and triennial IEP reviews in collaboration with LSSP's, Diagnosticians, Related Service Providers, and Administration
• Conduct classroom observations and gather data on referred students
• Facilitate transition of parent relationships from initial evaluation to IEP development when students qualify
• Coordinate, facilitate, and execute annual IEP meetings for students on their caseload
• Observe general education teachers' consistent implementation of student IEPs on their caseload
• Manage related service provider relationships for students on their caseload, including orientation, coordination for evaluations/meetings/services, and follow-up for IEP progress reports
• Serve as the academy lead of the SPED team, providing support for effective completion of individual and shared responsibilities
• Review IEPs and Evaluation reports written by SPED Teachers for accuracy
• Model and provide guidance to SPED Teachers on partnering with general education teachers
• Partner with the headmaster to provide written and oral evaluations to SPED Teachers
• Lead the Special Student Services team to complete all EOY responsibilities for proper rollover to the next year

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of Special Education teaching experience required. Campus leadership experience in Special Education and experience coaching/mentoring teachers or providing professional development are preferred.

Certifications

Valid TX Special Education Certification and Generalist or Core Academic Subject Area relevant to grades served.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of special education process, including state and federal timelines and compliance requirements
• High level of emotional intelligence
• Humility and skill with collaboration between multiple teams
• Conflict resolution and mediation
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience and speed with multiple platforms and computer programs (Student Information Systems, IEP writing programs, MS Office Suite, Google)

Physical functions

Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.

Work authorization: US Work Authorization is required. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Travel: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.