KIPP Minnesota Public Schools Hiring for Special Education Director at Minneapolis, MN Full Time

Organization Overview

KIPP is a national network of free, open‐enrollment, college‐preparatory public schools in under‐resourced communities throughout the United States. There are currently 200 locally‐run KIPP schools in 20 states and Washington, DC, and nationally KIPP serves approximately 80,000 students. More than 80 percent of KIPP students come from low‐income households, and more than 95 percent are African American or Hispanic/Latino. Through high expectations for students and staff, world‐class teachers and principals, more time in school, autonomy over budget and curriculum, and a focus on results, KIPP schools prepare traditionally underserved students for success in college and in life. KIPP schools have been widely recognized for their success in doing so, and today nearly 85% of KIPP alumni nationally have matriculated to college.

All KIPP schools share a core set of operating principles, known as the Five Pillars, that KIPP believes help to lay the foundation for students to perform at the highest academic levels: High Expectations, Choice & Commitment, More Time, Power to Lead, and a Focus on Results.

KIPP Minnesota Overview

Who we are: KIPP Minnesota Schools is a network of high-performing college-preparatory public charter schools. Next year, we will serve over 700 students in grades K through 2 and grades 5 through 8 at two co-located schools (primary and middle) in north Minneapolis. KIPP Minnesota Schools is a fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization with significant growth plans in the coming years.

What we do: We do whatever it takes to help our students develop knowledge, skills, and strong character. We work relentlessly so that every one of our students has the opportunity to attend college and has access to the life of choice and opportunity that college provides. The KIPP Minnesota Regional Team supports our schools, school leaders/ principals, and staff through organizational and academic alignment, business management, strategic planning, and back office functions.

How we do it: There are no shortcuts to success. Outstanding educators, rigorous lessons, more time in school, and strong school culture support our students as they climb the mountain to college. We work as a team, use data, and constantly reflect to improve our practice. We believe all of our KIPPsters can make it to and through college and we stay with them every step of the way.

Why it matters: In our communities, approximately 1 in 10 students earn a college degree. We believe that this is unjust and unacceptable and, most importantly, can be changed. Nationwide, over 85% of KIPP middle school alums matriculate to college.

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Head of Schools, the Director of Special Education is responsible for implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services in conformance to region, state, and federal objectives and laws; planning, designing, and implementing all phases of service provided by the Special Education staff; serving as a resource to students and families, school personnel, and the Board; and maintaining adequate staffing to ensure objectives of programs and services are achieved within budget.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides leadership and vision to ensure continuous organizational development and improvement.

Keeps abreast of community services and resources; develops partnerships with parents, businesses/organizations, and other agencies in order to build awareness, develop support, and share resources.

Collaborates effectively with Regional staff, families, special education teachers, and the community for the purpose of planning, developing, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating educational services and/or programs.

Sets staffing levels for school special education programs for the purpose of providing services with fiscal efficiency.

Leads personnel, for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines.

Evaluates programs and monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations in each location, for the purpose of carrying out and achieving objectives within the area of responsibility.

Leads the implementation of assigned programs and/or projects for the purpose of conforming to Regions and state curriculum and/or instructional objectives.

Prepares documentation and reports data for the purpose of providing written support, conveying information, and complying with Federal and State regulations.

Communicates information on programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, the Board and other districts for the purpose of understanding of the programs.

Recruits, hires, supervises, and evaluates District-level special education staff. Manages special education complaints, for the purpose of providing required services.

Coordinates with outside agencies to provide services to students and staff, for the purpose of offering appropriate services.

Supervises the training of special education instructional assistants for the purpose of assuring well-developed personnel.

Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program. Incorporates policies and procedures in accordance with laws and regulations.

Ensures that all practices in the district are legal and ethical for each student/family so that each child has the opportunity to achieve at a high level and be prepared for post-secondary success.

Qualifications

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

Required

Master’s degree in Education, Education Administration, or related field.

Minimum of five years experience working directly with students.

Education administration experience.

MN Special Education Director’s License

Knowledge of organizational systems, the role of public education in the United States, racial equity, social justice, culturally relevant instruction/practices, and special education laws and practices.

Ability to collaborate with families and community members of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.

Ability to manage personnel and programs.

Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Problem solving skills.

Knowledge of curriculum and research-based programming.

Knowledge of Minnesota and federal education laws/regulations and district policies.

Ability to make independent judgments.

Ability to keep and maintain accurate records and to meet deadlines

Highly Preferred

Experience working in historically educationally underserved communities and communities of color

Additional Information

COMPENSATION: $105,000-$120,000

• In order to establish equitable salary practices; the compensation package is derived from the Regional KIPP Minnesota pay scale and benefits package, which includes medical, dental, life, long-term disability and retirement benefits as well as an annual salary review and revision.

How to Apply

We are committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural leadership team and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. Please apply on-line here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

KIPP:MN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: KIPP:MN is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all candidates and employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on our business need, job requirements and required qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by protected by federal, state or local laws. KIPP:MN will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.”

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.