Special Education Specialist TK-3

Valley Life Charter School - Job Description

Special Education Specialist

Mission

The Mission of Valley Life Charter School is to provide a rigorous educational program emphasizing academics leadership and visual and performing arts. VLCS will provide authentic opportunities for students to apply the academics leadership principles and life skills taught for making good decisions. Students will encounter research-based academics along with leadership opportunities in the classroom in the school and in the community.

Leadership and character building are vital to the instructional order to create an environment in which students feel respected and are willing to take risks VLCS instructional philosophy is to create a school in which students are well-mannered leaders with exceptional listening skills and the ability to follow the rules. Character development and leadership-building strategies will enhance the learning environment by allowing both the student and teacher to focus on the curriculum. This approach will be used to create a positive atmosphere and allow students to focus on educational goals and develop the skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21st Century.

Vision

Valley Life Charter School was created with a vision to develop community leaders one student at a time by building and developing character in youth which supports the core values of trustworthiness respect responsibility fairness caring and citizenship. These core values will be interwoven throughout the curriculum at Valley Life Charter School. We believe that every student has strengths and we will identify and build on the strengths of our students to better reach their potential. VLCS takes seriously its commitment to educating the whole person and will include social skills and character development with its program of academics leadership and visual and performing arts training. We further believe that students learn best when they are placed in a loving and nurturing environment. Students excel when they are able to actively participate in their education through situations that allow for hands-on activities.

Teachers at Valley Life Charter School must have an ability to facilitate and articulate a shared vision of academic excellence for the school community. They must also be able to create and maintain the support structures necessary to achieve the vision. Teachers must be culturally competent educators meaning that they must be knowledgeable and sensitive to other cultures and promote social responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and facilitate the schools special education program
• Collaborate with teachers individually to identify the needs of students to set learning goals and targets and to problem solve with teachers to develop best practices for continuous academic growth of students.
• Assist teachers with the collection of data analysis of data results and supports the sharing of findings with all staff.
• Review student achievement and assist with planning students in appropriate intervention and support services.
• Teach targeted literacy intervention to small groups of students daily using research-based strategies and resources.
• Assist students using software and materials related to literacy programs
• Meet regularly with the classroom teacher to plan instruction that correlates with the individual students needs or as requested by the classroom teacher.
• Model lessons with classroom teachers
• Attend professional development to enhance knowledge of pedagogy and content .
• Maintain and submit accurate and up-to-date management records of all students progress.
• Collaborate with staff in regards to SSTs IEPs and 504 plans
• Schedule and run IEP meetings
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to literacy as assigned by supervisor.
• Establishing and maintaining a team philosophy
• Monitoring safety and security of students
• Assisting in development of organizational strategic plan
• Being involved in committees and task forces to support the schools mission
• All areas of special education including: behavior management techniques learning theories curriculum development and vocational development;
• Current laws and regulations pertaining to students with disabilities;
• A variety of appropriate assessment tools;
• Policies and procedures pertaining to the development and implementation of IEPs;
• Assessment practices and statistics relevant to the behavioral sciences;
• Special Education Laws and SELPA or district policies and procedures.
• Ability to: Coordinate services with the general education teacher & make suggestions for modifications/accommodations of core curriculum that targets students needs; Administer a variety of assessments; Utilize peer-reviewed research-based instructional strategies to plan educational programs; Write legally defensible IEPs aligned to state content standards; Implement each students IEP as it is written in accordance with the law; Provide students with specialized instruction based on their unique needs; Adhere to federal and state laws pertaining to students with special needs; Communicate effectively with general education teachers administrators and parents; Maintain student confidentiality; Exercise initiative; Possess good judgment. Responsibilities include: working und

Qualifications

• One of the following credentials; Emergency Resource Specialist Permit Mild to Moderate Support Needs Early Childhoold Special Education Education Specilaist Bridge - Mild to Moderate Support Needs Extensive Support Needs Extensive Support Needs
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the school
• Comprehensive knowledge of learning theories and curriculum development
• Demonstrated record of serving students and families in a culturally diverse learning environment
• Ability to effectively communicate with the schools stakeholders
• Proficient with technology and computers
• Entrepreneurial thinking and strategic vision
• Ability to communicate to multiple diverse constituencies
• Good judgment and compassion
• The belief that all students can learn at the speed of personal potential

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• First aid and CPR certified by the first day of employment
• Valid TB Clearance by the first day of employment
• Clear Criminal Background/Fingerprint Clearance
• Computer skills- proficiency in Word Excel and others as necessary

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION:

• Commitment to work in an innovative entrepreneurial and mission-driven school environment
• Maintain professional appearance grooming and maturity establishing a desirable example for students.
• Tolerate high levels of stress
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to listen and be responsive to colleagues

funders administration Board of Directors and parents etc

• Ability to work well independently and within a team environment; working efficiently and

exercising excellent judgment in making decisions.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills; accuracy discretion and ability to work

independently as part of a team; flexibility and willingness to learn are essential.

• Apply common sense understanding of detailed multi-step instructions in a combination of written oral and diagrammatic form.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• 182 days
• The regular requirement to stand sit walk talk hear see read speak reach stretch with hands and arms stoop kneel and crouch
• Lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional exposure to blood bodily fluids and tissue
• Occasional interaction with unruly children
• Occasional evening and or weekend work
• Occasional travel
• Willingness to be trained as needed
• Willingness to work a longer than traditional workday
• Must be able to work duties as assigned including evening events as needed

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Principal designee or other appropriate administrator

SALARY: See salary chart

• Appropriate placement on the Step and Column chart
• STRS

JOB TYPE:

Full Time 7:45 AM until 4:00 PM During school Days Some evenings required.

HIRING PROCESS:

Applications taken on TalentEd Please submit the following:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of introduction
• Copy of transcripts
• Credentials
• 3 Letters of reference
• EPI Skills assessment.

Valley Life Charter School is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of VLCS to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race creed color religion national origin ethnicity ancestry sex sexual orientation age physical or mental disability marital status citizenship status medical condition or any other legally protected status.

Required Experience:

IC