Description
ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998in an effort to transform the inequitable racial social and gender outcomes that our communities persist throughAspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college career and life. At Aspire we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge skills and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day our community of students families teachers and staff comes together to learn work and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being) Culture of Belonging Community Partnership Agency & Self-Determination and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
The Regional Sr. Manager of Special Education is an essential member of the regional Special Education team and will lead develop and focus on the instruction and Development of Education Specialists in the region. In service of supporting all schools in the region to achieve their academic targets the Regional Sr. Manager plays a key role in the development and delivery of Special Education Professional Development and coaching for teachers. Reporting to the Regional Senior Leader and in close collaboration with the Aspire Special Education Team this impactful role also supports the development of high-quality org-wide pedagogy and instructional practices as aligned to the Aspire Student Learning Framework (ASLF.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Management and Leadership
25% of the time is dedicated to the overall management of the Regional Special Education team and working closely with Special Populations/SPED teammates across and at all levels of the organization vendors families and external stakeholders.
Support the Regional Director of Special Education by leading and managing Special Education teammates to
Serve as an influence and exemplar of exceptional service to Special Education teammates
Lead the effort to standardize SPED support practices across the regions
Supervise train support and evaluate the performance of assigned staff
Provide leadership to the regional and school-site Special Education teams and work with teammates on their Personal Learning Plans to establish goal setting and foster professional growth.
Analyze feedback and suggestions on regional Special Populations/Special Education events such as Professional Development sessions and team meetings to find areas of improvement and implement changes.
Identify and implement new processes and tools to improve the effectiveness of the Regional Special Education team. Deliver required tools or process training to teammates.
Research a variety of topics to include but are not limited to current case law and evidence-based best practices to provide information insights or suggestions to the Regional Special Education team or other applicable parties.
Ensure due process requirements are met to complete the appropriate development of IEPs and provide ongoing monitoring to ensure IDEA compliance under the direction and guidance of the SELPA.
Manages difficult cases to ensure appropriate special education services including attending IEP meetings and parent conferences
Applies conflict resolution strategies with parents or other stakeholders to resolve disputes related to a students IEP demonstrating knowledge of current IDEA and Aspire policy and procedures
Pedagogy and Programmatic Leadership:
Spends approximately 60% of time supporting the regional Special Education Team and the whole region through the delivery of PDs and on-the-ground coaching and support to teachers focused on instructional best practices for our students in Special Education.
Manages and supports instructional leaders with professional development for school leaders teachers Ed Specialists and Instructional Assistants that is aligned to the Special Education vision of inclusion and addresses trends informed by data. Ensures explicit connections between coaching and professional development with the Transformational Leadership Framework (TLF) and Aspire Students Learning Framework (ASLF).
Builds capacity through the coaching and development of Education Specialists and Special Education Instructional Assistants.
In alignment with Aspires equity beliefs works with the Regional Instructional Leadership team to provide additional resources and or support to Tier 2 and 3 schools.
Analyzes site-level Special Education academic data to identify region-wide goals and trends. In collaboration with the Regional Instructional Leadership team co-creates region-wide action plans to address gaps creating opportunities to implement pedagogy and curriculum that reflect data-supported best practices from inside and outside the organization supporting a Region-wide coherent model.
Contributes to the development of leaders to have an inquiry and equity-based learning approach in English Language Development.
Conduct needs assessments with schools through instructional walkthroughs and school site visits
Curriculum Instruction Data & Assessment:
15% of the time is dedicated to region-wide R&D on pedagogy curriculum development and aligned ASPIRE programming.
Provide observation and feedback on the curriculum implementation for students in Special Education.
Identify and participate in regional and school progress monitoring systems data analysis and adjustment of strategy and supports to meet Special Education performance targets.
Analyze data on assessments for students with disabilities to identify goals and trends.
Support the implementation of alternate curriculum for students that meet this criteria.
Supports the vision and development of Co-Teaching practices where applicable.
Works closely with the Regional Instructional Leadership Team to interrupt inequities in the Special Education Program.
Is a collaborative member of the Regional Team and works on org-wide and region-wide initiatives and priorities.
Regular collaboration with the Regional Special Education Team and Regional Leadership Team.
Keep up-to-date on special education research and best practices
Additional:
Demonstrate knowledge of and support the Aspire Public Schools mission vision and value statements including antiracism policies and procedures operating instructions confidentiality standards and the code of ethical behavior.
Actively seeks to improve and simplify Aspires approach to particular job functions.
Comfortable with the utilization of technology in a remote environment.
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Competencies:
Expertise in applicable grade-level Common Core State Standards and Academic IEP goal development for a range of needs ranging from least intensive to most intensive
Experience in schools with adult learning and professional development
Knowledge of the models of co-teaching and serving students with disabilities in an inclusive model
Knowledge of teacher and leader development frameworks and ability to co-develop aligned content and systems
Instructional leadership and teaching experience: proven results in student learning as both an instructional leader and a teacher
Ability to design and launch data-driven systems for standards curriculum instruction and assessments
Ability to coach others improve their practice and bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships.
Ability to manage projects including development implementation and evaluation
Ability to communicate proactively and effectively and provide and act on feedback
Ability to demonstrate creative and flexible thinking
Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced dynamic entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection as well as take direction as needed
Demonstrated educational philosophy and methods that encourage the development of active and lifelong learning
Strong time and task management skills enabling multiple projects to be completed on time
Strong problem analysis and problem resolution skills using an inquiry framework and equity lens
Alignment to and urgency around Aspires mission vision and values
Excellent team player: always puts the teams goals first and works to support and motivate peers
Ability to move comfortably between high-level strategic thinking and intricate details
Excellent ability to drive change and build buy-in through relationship-building
This role may require travel up to 80% time to schools across the region and may require some periodic travel to all Aspire regions and/or other locations for conferences/professional development.
Comfort with engaging in conversations that might push people out of their comfort zones especially regarding discussions about race and educational equity
Minimum educational level & Certifications:
Experience required:
Physical requirements:
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
Remaining in a stationary position often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
Assessing the accuracy neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
Communicating with others to exchange information
Repeating motions that may include the wrists hands and/or fingers
Work authorization requirements:
Clear the Department of Justice background screening
Authorized to work in the United States
Provide health (TB) clearance (most update every four years)
Required Experience:
Manager