Upper Elementary School Vice Principal of Academic Inclusion

About the role

Coney Island Prep is committed to inclusive excellence, ensuring that all students, particularly those with disabilities and diverse learning needs, receive rigorous, equitable, and affirming instruction. The Vice Principal of Academic Inclusion is a key instructional leader who, in collaboration with the principal, drives the strategic vision, compliance, and instructional quality for special populations, including students with IEPs, multilingual learners (MLLs), and students requiring Tier 2/3 interventions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional results by ensuring that all classrooms are implementing best practices to support variable learners.
• Serve as the school-wide instructional leader for special education, MLLs, and intervention, ensuring alignment with both external guidelines (NYSED regulations, IDEA, etc.) and internal goals.
• Develop, implement, and monitor inclusive instructional systems that support variable learners during Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 instruction.
• Partner with content VPs to implement strategies that ensure curricula are differentiated and accessible, and that general educators are trained and supported to meet the needs of all learners.
• Analyze student data regularly to drive academic interventions and adjust instructional plans.
• Design and lead implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) and MTSS.
• Lead and facilitate IEP and MLL programming reviews, progress monitoring, and service delivery.
• Develop talent by creating high-quality professional learning for all teachers.
• Coach and evaluate special education teachers using Coney Island Prep's observation and feedback systems, and collaborate with VPs of Instruction to coach and provide feedback on effective co-teaching.
• Manage and evaluate related service providers, and support staffing and daily attendance procedures for related services.
• Provide targeted coaching to general education teachers to strengthen inclusive instruction and classroom practices.
• Design and lead high-impact professional development on topics such as differentiation, accommodations/modifications, compliance, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Lead content team meetings for the Special Education department and collaborate with other instructional teams as needed.
• Train and monitor paraprofessionals to ensure IEP-mandated support is delivered effectively.
• Build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community by ensuring compliance and partnering with families.
• Reinforce the school's vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and academic excellence for all staff and students.
• Oversee NYSITELL and NYSESLAT testing, and ensure that all accommodations for students with disabilities and MLLs are in place for NYS exams, Regents, and other key assessments.
• Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local mandates related to IEPs, 504s evaluations, accommodations, and reporting.
• Manage relationships and coordination with the Committee on Special Education (CSE), related service agencies, and external evaluators.
• Manage the calendar for annual IEP meetings, and triennial reviews, facilitate IEP meetings (initial, annual, and reevaluations) and ensure high-quality, student-centered IEPs are developed.
• Collaborate with instructional leaders, operations teammates, and families to coordinate and communicate around IEP meetings and ensure teacher and family participation.
• Monitor SESIS and ensure timely and accurate reporting and goal tracking.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for families of students with disabilities and MLLs, proactively building strong partnerships.

Requirements

• Deep knowledge of IDEA, NYSED special education law, and instructional best practices for diverse learners
• Experience working with teachers and students in grades 3 - 5
• At least 5 years of experience teaching special education and 3 years of instructional leadership experience highly preferred
• Demonstrated success managing IEP compliance and improving outcomes for students with disabilities
• Ability to effectively manage self and others toward meeting goals, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate across teams and with families
• Proven ability to lead data-driven practices and support professional growth in others
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree and NYS certification in special education strongly preferred

Qualifications

Coney Island Prep is committed to building a team that collectively reflects the various backgrounds, experiences, and identities of our scholars. We recognize and respond to different points of access, so that everyone maximizes their highest potential.

Benefits

Employees at Coney Island Prep are provided with salaries that are highly competitive, set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual's skills and experiences relevant to the role. The salary range for this role is from $100,000-$110,000. As a regular full-time employee of Coney Island Prep, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and Paid Family Leave. Staff are provided with a MacBook Air and access to all the necessary technology and resources needed to succeed in their role.