Student Services Manager (17/18 SY)

Acero Schools Network is seeking a Student Services Manager to join our dynamic team of student-focused educators and innovators for the 2017/2018 school year. This role is based in Chicago, IL, and reports directly to the Principal.

About the Role

The Student Services Manager is a key member of the school’s leadership team, collaborating with the Principal to set a vision for specialized services and evaluate special education programming. This role focuses on developing, coaching, and evaluating the special education teaching team to improve teacher capacity and student achievement. The Student Services Manager ensures high-quality instruction through classroom observations, lesson plan critiques, and one-on-one coaching, while collecting data to drive professional development and teacher evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and manage academic MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) systems, including selection and management of academic interventions.
• Support team members in achieving their Professional Development Goals and guide them through curriculum review and goal setting.
• Assess, develop, and lead the implementation of student services program improvements and support strategies.
• Collaborate with the special education team to strategically plan block structure and ensure effective co-teaching, pull-out instruction, FLIGHT program instruction, case management, and IEP meetings.
• Provide detailed teacher feedback in areas such as student discipline, classroom management, assessment, data analysis, instructional planning, instructional delivery, and curriculum resource utilization.
• Coach and mentor teachers to achieve student, school, and key performance indicator goals.
• Foster a student-focused and data-grounded environment that encourages critical conversations around student learning and support services.
• Build positive relationships with students, staff, families, and external service providers to cultivate student supports.
• Promote student, parent, and staff participation in Acero Schools-initiated activities.
• Collaborate with professional staff to identify leveled support, learning disabilities, and develop remediation plans while evaluating student progress.
• Maintain a strong understanding of State and Federal Special Education Law and CPS Policies.
• Attend all CPS and Acero Schools Special Education, MTSS, and Student Assessment-related meetings.
• Ensure access to student IEPs and maintain an annual IEP calendar.
• Notify the Principal if any part of a student’s plan (MTSS, 504, or IEP) is not being implemented appropriately.
• Support the management of behavioral MTSS systems, including the selection and development of behavior interventions.
• Evaluate teacher performance and use data to identify, plan, and promote professional development for teachers and school staff.
• Analyze teacher, student, and school data to counsel teachers and provide accountability for their impact on student growth.
• Counsel the Principal on teacher effectiveness in improving student achievement and provide data-driven recommendations for Teacher Performance Improvement Plans or termination.
• Ensure program compliance, including adherence to required timelines, implementation of direct services, accommodations, modifications, and evaluation of student benefit from services.
• Maintain a 100% compliance rate for completing all Annual Reviews, Initial, and Three-Year Reevaluations according to State and Federal law.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with State guidelines.
• Coordinate school-wide testing, including NWEA, PARCC, ACCESS, WIDA Screening, MTSS Universal Screening, and Related Service Provider Testing.
• Serve as a liaison between Related Service Providers and the Coordinator of Specialized Instruction.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (required).
• Demonstrated ability to drive academic progress of students and articulate methods used to achieve results.
• Knowledge of data-driven instructional practices.
• Experience with writing high-quality IEPs and progress monitoring related to IEPs and MTSS.
• Minimum three years of teaching experience (strongly preferred).
• Special Education teaching experience (strongly preferred).
• Ability to work cooperatively and positively with peers, students, and parents/guardians.
• Strong technology skills.
• Minimum one year of school leadership or management experience (strongly preferred).
• Ability to articulate best instructional practices for driving student achievement.

Certification

• Valid Illinois Special Education License (LBS1) (required).
• Valid Illinois Administrative Certification (strongly preferred).
• Must hold permanent residency in the United States.

Physical Demands

• Ability to operate standard business office equipment.
• Requires standing, bending, reaching, stooping, walking, and kneeling for upwards of 60% of the day.
• Frequent walking up and down stairs.
• Ability to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods and push/pull 15 to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Majority of work performed in a general office environment.
• Availability for extended hours and non-traditional hours to perform job duties.
• Participation and attendance at organization-sponsored events and meetings.