ESS Lead

Great Hearts Academies•Lake Charles, LA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Academy ESS Lead is the campus leadership and team lead role for the ESS department. The position supports ESSCs with IEP meeting preparation and execution, guides the development of ESS teachers, teachers in residence, and ESSAs, ensures IEP paperwork compliance, and provides first-level advice in challenging student or parent situations. The ESS Lead makes final departmental decisions on organizational logistics and strategy while working under the headmaster’s supervision. The role is expected to model the academy’s core virtues and pursue a deeper understanding of classical, liberal arts education, while helping the ESS team earn and maintain trust through its daily work. The Academy ESS Lead oversees student caseload distribution and transfer procedures; coordinates student data reviews, evaluations, and IEP meetings; monitors implementation of IEPs; and manages relationships with related service providers. The lead supports ESS team members, trains ESSCs in Great Hearts special education pedagogy, communicates role expectations to the community with the headmaster, reviews ESSC documentation, partners with ESSCs and general education teachers, contributes to ESSC evaluations, maintains student program information in the SIS, and leads year-end transition responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 3 years of experience as a special education coordinator.
Valid Arizona Special Education Teaching Certificate (AZ Mild to Moderate or K-12 Cross-Categorical).
Extensive knowledge of the special education process, including state and federal timelines and compliance requirements.
Leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills or experience.
High emotional intelligence.
Humility and skill collaborating across multiple teams.
Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Experience and speed using multiple platforms and computer programs, including student information systems, IEP writing programs, MS Office Suite, and Google.
Successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience as a special education (ESS) coordinator in a Great Hearts school.
Experience with the special education evaluation process.

Responsibilities

Oversee caseload distribution discussions and make final decisions about student assignments to ESSCs’ caseloads.
Ensure transfer procedures are completed for all incoming students.
Coordinate, facilitate, and execute initial and triennial Review of Existing Data and Review of Additional Data meetings.
Conduct classroom observations and gather data on students referred by the student study team.
Facilitate the transition of parent relationships to assigned ESSCs when students qualify for special education services following initial evaluation.
Coordinate, facilitate, and execute annual IEP meetings for students on the lead’s caseload.
Observe general education teachers’ consistent implementation of IEPs for students on the lead’s caseload.
Manage related service provider relationships, including orientation, coordination of evaluations, meetings and services, invoice review and submission, and follow-up for IEP progress reports.
Lead the ESS team and support team members in completing individual and shared responsibilities.
Assist the Phoenix Home Office in training ESSCs in Great Hearts special education pedagogy.
Partner with the headmaster to communicate ESS Lead and ESSC role expectations to the community before the start of the year and revisit them as needed.
Attend initial IEP meetings led by ESSCs to guide the relational hand-off and provide feedback on ESSCs’ execution.
Review ESSC-written IEPs and evaluation reports for accuracy, one file per semester.
Model and guide ESSCs in partnering with general education teachers.
Partner with the headmaster to provide written and oral evaluations to ESSCs.
Update special education program information in the student information system when students enter, change eligibility categories, or exit.
Lead the ESS team in completing end-of-year responsibilities and preparing for the next-year rollover.