Community Middle School Education Specialist

Graham Windham•New York, NY

88d•$55,937 - $55,937•Onsite

About The Position

Graham Windham is seeking a Middle School Educational Specialist to provide comprehensive educational advocacy and support to help students perform at grade level, gain promotion to the next grade, and enter quality middle schools and high schools. The Specialist will provide assistance to youth directly and to case planners and parents/caregivers, as well as foster and kinship parents to meet the educational needs of 5th through 8th graders. Graham Windham is the first organization in New York City to implement Solution–Based Casework, which empowers children and families to be the solution to the seemingly insurmountable problems in their lives by recognizing and reinforcing their innate strengths and ability to cope.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Minimum one year experience working with the educational school system.
Knowledge of NYC DOE policies
Solution-focused and Dependable: Works with others to solve problems, acknowledges mistakes and successes, and follows through on commitments.
Respectful: Has strong personal integrity and wants to participate in a culture that celebrates vibrant and diverse spiritual and ideological perspectives, racial, ethnic, and gender identities, and sexual orientations
Ability to work collaboratively across many systems and stakeholders.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially for client advocacy
Ability to work independently.
Computer application proficiency, including CONNECTIONS system, Microsoft Outlook, and Word

Responsibilities

Work with up to 50 5th through 8th graders and their families and case planners
Provide educational advocacy to ensure students are receiving the supports/services they need to succeed in school.
Provide individualized assistance with the high school selection processes to 7th and 8th grade students and their families.
Ensure that all students apply to high performing, best-fit schools, and will track these schools through an online platform once they are submitted.
Provide individualized assistance to all 5th grade students and families with the middle school selection process.
Refer to all students in need of academic help for tutoring and follow up with Tutor/Coaches regarding the students’ performance, needs, and any concerns.
Refer all students with advanced skills to support for Specialized High School test prep and support applications for middles schools with honors programs and for Screened High Schools.
Use an online platform to monitor and update academic milestones as it relates to attendance, service, and support, tutoring and individualized education curriculum, and record progress in Connections.
Connect students to after-school and summer extracurricular activities.
Coordinate with Case Planning Teams and families, as needed.
Participate in Family Team Conferences and provide guidance and support surrounding the educational needs of the youth.
Provide common educational advocacy services including: Special education support and advocacy (requesting evaluations, participating in IEP meetings, monitoring service implementation, and helping families exercise their due process rights), Disciplinary support and advocacy, Truancy prevention and support, Tutoring referrals, School enrollment and transfers (participating in best interest determinations and securing transportation when students enter foster care or move between foster care placements), Referrals to other services/supports, as needed.