Phoenix Charter Academy Hiring for Manager of Special Education Job at Remote Full Time

Network Manager of Special Education

Statewide

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high-performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under-credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential.

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.

Commitment to DEI

At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities.

At Phoenix, we aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups.

At Phoenix, we solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization.

At Phoenix we do not just accept differences – we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual’s employment.

Qualities of Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering belief in our students – Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints.
• Continuous Improvement – Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement.

• Eager to Learn – Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society.

The Opportunity

In addition to demonstrating the qualities of a Phoenix staff member, the Network Manager of Special Education will be responsible for the following:

Vision and Program Development

• Lead, direct, and supervise all Special Education programming and related services in partnership with the Chief Schools Officer, Heads of School, and school-based Special Education team to ensure that all scholars achieve at high levels and are effectively supported across Phoenix Charter Academy Network schools.
• Work with the Chief Schools Office , to refine and share a coherent vision for Special Education programs.
• Develop, communicate, and supervise clear systems, processes, and procedures for providing research-based and highly effective support for Special Education scholars across Phoenix Charter Academy Network schools

Instructional Leadership and Professional Development

• Work with the Chief Schools Office to develop and implement professional development programs to strengthen staff and leaders’ skills in supporting scholars with diverse learning needs, including specific plans for Special Education teachers and expanding general education teachers’ repertoire of inclusion, and differentiation strategies
• Participate actively in school-based data cycles and ensure that Special Education interventions align with priorities identified during data analysis and action planning to ensure that all scholars achieve at high levels
• Participate regularly in Instructional Leadership Team meetings across schools to partner with instructional leaders in the development and supervision of Special Education programs and staff
• Monitor the grades and academic progress of all Special Education scholars to ensure that they have effective interventions and supports and are achieving academically
• Observe Special Education teachers regularly to ensure all teachers are accommodating the needs of all scholars; give teachers timely and prompt feedback;
• Contribute data and feedback to mid-year and end of year formal evaluations with Head of School
• Support integration of Network-wide competencies in Special Education classrooms.

Scholar Support

• Communicate with Heads of School and Directors of School Culture to ensure alternative disciplinary methods are being used when necessary; oversee and direct creation of basic behavioral intervention plans
• Communicate regularly with school-based leaders about scholars of concern; meet with the Director of School Culture on a regular basis
• Ensure that adult supporters of Special Education scholars have access to learning, communication, and partnership with leaders and staff

Program Oversight and Compliance

• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal and state Special Education regulations and ensure that all functions are consistent with network vision, goals, and policies and DESE regulations
• Support school leaders to identify and create contracts with individuals and organizations to provide services for scholars as identified in their IEPs
• Supervise eligibility determinations of all scholars referred for Special Education programming and protocols for review meetings
• Oversee all state and federal entitlement grants for Special Education
• Supervise and coordinate instructional services provided to scholars with identified Special Education learning needs as articulated by IEPs and 504 Plans
• Ensure that school based staff maintain accurate and comprehensive scholar records and can verify that Special Education regulations are implemented consistently across schools
• Represent the district in mediation or due process hearings, as necessary
• Prepare and supervise for DESE program evaluations of Special Education programming, including but not limited to DESE school site visits, and Coordinated Program Reviews

Qualifications

• Employment is based on qualifications for the role as well as a successful background check.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Professional training or experience teaching/ leading SPED in schools preferred
• 5 or more years of teaching or leadership in schools preferred
• Spanish skills preferred

Our Commitment to Staff

• We commit to providing a supportive environment and giving the professional development, coaching, and resources needed to be successful
• We commit to creating an open and tolerant culture that embraces diversity and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice and Equity working group

**The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Signing bonus

Work Location: Remote