Assistant Director Education / Assistant Principal

Adelbrook•Manchester, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Education / Assistant Principal plays a crucial role in managing the daily operations of the educational program, overseeing curriculum planning, and ensuring instruction aligns with state standards and student Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. This position involves supervising, evaluating, and providing professional development for teaching staff, and collaborating with clinical and residential departments to create a cohesive educational experience. The role also includes participating in the development and monitoring of IEPs, ensuring compliance with regulations, and serving as a behavioral resource. The Assistant Director represents the organization at PPTs (Planning and Placement Team meetings), ensures appropriate educational discharge planning, and maintains positive public relations. They may also assume teaching responsibilities when needed, interview candidates for certified staff positions, and attend Academy functions. Additionally, the role involves acting as a liaison with school districts, families, and external agencies, promoting a safe and therapeutic classroom environment, and supporting quality improvement initiatives. Maintaining active certification in crisis intervention training, including Physical and Psychological Management Training (PMT), is essential for ensuring safety and well-being.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Special Education, Education Administration, or related field.
Valid teaching and/or administrative certification (as applicable to the state).
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in special education or therapeutic educational settings.
Must hold Connecticut Department of Education, Intermediate Certification (092), as well as, Special Education or related services endorsement.
Excellent written and verbal skills.
CPR/First Aid and other relevant certifications (or willingness to obtain).
Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to supervise, mentor, and support educational staff.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with families, staff, and external stakeholders.
Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and timelines efficiently.
Problem-solving skills to analyze educational challenges and develop appropriate strategies.
Conflict resolution and crisis management skills within an educational setting.
Competency in using technology for administrative tasks, data collection, and instructional support.
In-depth understanding of special education laws and regulations (e.g., IDEA, FAPE, IEP process).
Knowledge of evidence-based practices in special education and trauma-informed care.
Familiarity with the needs and learning styles of individuals with ASD and IDD.
Understanding of positive behavioral supports and functional behavior assessment.
Awareness of relevant accreditation and licensing standards for educational programs in therapeutic settings.
Knowledge of curriculum development and adaptation for diverse learners.
Ability to implement and monitor individualized educational plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to provide professional development and coaching to instructional staff.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards in education and care.
Ability to lead school operations in the absence of the Director of Education.
Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines to support the academic and emotional needs of students.
Ability to interpret and respond to data for continuous improvement of educational services.
Ability to remain flexible and adapt to evolving program needs.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the Director of Education in managing daily operations of the educational program.
Oversee curriculum planning and ensure instruction aligns with state standards and student IEP goals.
Provide supervision, evaluation, and professional development for teaching staff.
Collaborate with clinical and residential departments to promote a cohesive and consistent educational experience.
Participate in the development and monitoring of IEPs and other educational documentation.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and agency policies.
Serve as a behavioral resource for the Academy; consult with staff to prepare Functional Behavior Assessments to develop Behavior Intervention Plans; determine appropriate action in cases of serious behavioral incidents.
Represent The Learning Center at PPT’s.
Ensure appropriate educational discharge planning for students and coordinate educational programming through the PPT process.
Foster and maintain a good public relations image consistent with the Connecticut Code of Professional Standards for School Administrators.
Assume teaching responsibilities in a classroom when appropriate staffing needs to be ensured.
Interview new candidates for certified staff positions and provide feedback on candidates following interviews and shadowing experiences to the Director of Education.
Attend all scheduled after school and evening Academy functions, as requested by the Director of Education.
Act as a liaison with school districts, families, and external agencies as needed.
Promote a safe, structured, and therapeutic classroom environment.
Support continuous quality improvement initiatives across the education program.
Maintain active certification in agency-approved crisis intervention training, including all required levels of Physical and Psychological Management Training (PMT).
Apply training techniques appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals served, staff, and others in the environment.
Demonstrate competency in de-escalation strategies, safe physical interventions, and adherence to agency protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned.