Salem Academy Charter School Hiring for Director of Special Education Job at Salem, MA Full Time

Director of Special Education
Job Description

Organization Overview
Salem Academy Charter School (SACS) is a nationally ranked public charter school north of Boston offering a rigorous college preparatory program to 480 students in grades 6-12. For almost 18 years, SACS has been committed to serving the diverse population of Salem. Through a unique integration of rigorous college preparatory classes with service to the community, Salem Academy graduates informed, articulate and proactive individuals of strong character. Salem Academy is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We seek to support a faculty and staff that reflects the rich diversity of our student body, creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students.

Position Overview
Reporting to the Senior Director of Academics, the Director of Special Education oversees all aspects of the Special Education program, grades 6-12, managing a comprehensive vision and strategy for meeting the unique needs of our students with disabilities. Responsible for ensuring the quality of Salem Academy’s Special
Education programming for students with IEPs, the Director of Special Education must possess expertise in best practices for addressing students’ academic and social/emotional needs in an inclusion context, expertise in Massachusetts and federal Special Education regulations, and outstanding interpersonal and written communication skills. The Director of Special Education provides shared leadership for our culture of achievement and must possess the ability to promote a culture of excellence and collaboration between and amongst Special Education and general education instructional and support staff. In addition, the Director of Special Education works closely with the Senior Director of Academics, focusing on organizational priorities, development, and financial expenditures for the Special Education program.

The ideal candidate is committed to prioritizing the unique needs of each student and family to support them in reaching their highest levels of academic, social, and/or emotional growth. This individual should be organized, have strong communication skills, and bring an equity-based mindset to their work each day.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership:

• Oversee all aspects of the Special Education Program, setting the vision for academic and cultural excellence; build a strong and nimble team through professional development; performance management; and motivational leadership.

• Lead the Special Education Team in creating a mission-driven inclusive college-going culture of achievement that permeates the school and builds students’ academic skills and social and emotional competencies.

• Maintain a visible presence in the daily life of the school: observing classrooms, building relationships with students, and upholding school norms in a safe and supportive manner.

• Ensure that classrooms are safe and supportive and teaching is grounded in culturally relevant pedagogy.

• Assure effective implementation of any school improvement plans, including measurable long-term goals and short-term objectives around student learning performance.

• Use data to design professional development.
• Participate in recruiting and hiring processes for all Special Education staff, including contractors for all service delivery and eligibility evaluation needs.
• Oversee compliance with DESE’s model educator evaluation system for Special Education staff.
• Prepare and manage Special Education Grants e.g. 240, 274; ensure appropriate usage of funds
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations regarding training for staff.
• With the Senior Director of Academics, develop a budget that best supports our students by aligning the use of funds to support research-based strategies that improve teaching and learning; monitor spending in Special Education program areas

• Oversee the allocation of Special Education staffing and resources across the school.

Special Education Compliance and Procedures

• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Special Education/Team Chair, create protocols and systems to ensure compliance with state and federal Special Education regulations.
• Advise and consult with school and senior leadership on all Special Education policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with general education leadership, ensure delivery of all Special Education and related services, including Extended Year Services (EYS), via comprehensive planning of instructional schedules.

• Prepare annual and other reports for submission to DESE as required.
• Chair initial eligibility evaluation meeting.
• *Lead mediation and hearing procedures.

Program Development and Evaluation

• Supervise and evaluate Special Education staff; conduct annual performance reviews in accordance with the DESE Model Educator Evaluation system.
• Lead DESE-mandated Special Education program review and evaluation processes, e.g. Tiered Focus

Monitoring (TFM).

• Lead the trend analysis of key student performance metrics (e.g. interim assessments, graduation rates, college matriculation and completion, attendance, discipline, and attrition); use this information to inform programmatic choices to increase growth and achievement of students with disabilities.

• Drive the creation of school-wide inclusion practices, ensuring it meets state and federal requirements, meets the terms of SACS mission, provides appropriate rigor, and meets the diverse needs of all students.

• Provide comprehensive training for all Special Education and general education staff in best practices for inclusion.

Family and Community Engagement

• Facilitate Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC).
• Ensure Special Education parents and community stakeholders are proactively engaged and invested in the school’s culture and vision.
• Develop community partnerships, particularly in support of Special Education programming, services, and opportunities for students.

• Serve as an ambassador and advocate of Salem Academy, articulating the mission and program with clarity and enthusiasm.

• Attend both school and community events as needed (e.g. prospective student information sessions, SACS Family Picnic, Salem Education Foundation events).

The Director of Special Education may also take on other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Leadership Team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An unwavering belief in our mission and vision: that all students can achieve at high levels
• Ability to promote a structured, orderly, safe, and respectful school environment that fosters student-centered learning
• Demonstrated ability to connect with diverse students and families
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and collaborate with adults from a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds
• Openness to change, willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in developing new ideas and programs
• Self-awareness, humility, and integrity in all interactions, personally and professionally
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Five or more years of Special Education leadership experience
• Master’s degree required
• Massachusetts licensure as a Special Education administrator preferred
• Charter school experience preferred
• Background clearance
• Fluency in Spanish a plus

Salem Academy Charter School values a school culture that celebrates learning, and we believe that the adult culture in the school is the foundation of the school’s success. The culture is based on mutual respect, integrity, professionalism, a commitment to excellence, a collaborative spirit, and a sense of human kindness particularly as it relates to age-appropriate adolescent development. Salem Academy Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Salem Academy follows DESE guidelines regarding COVID-19.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Salem, MA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Master’s (Required)

Experience:

• Leadership: 5 years (Required)
• Teaching: 8 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Special Education Certification (Required)

Work Location: One location