Exceptional Learning Specialist SYSTEMWIDE

Madison City Schools•Madison, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role assists in the organization, management, instructional leadership, and monitoring of the Exceptional Learning Communities within the Madison City School District's Special Education Program. The goal is to ensure compliance with all state and federal mandates, support self-contained special education programs, and collaborate with administrators, principals, and specialists to implement quality instructional programming. The specialist will provide consultation to teachers, administrators, support personnel, parents, and regular teachers regarding Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), and work with teachers to improve learning outcomes for students with disabilities through instructional coaching, professional development, data analysis, and strategy implementation. The position also involves ensuring district compliance with special education law, effective communication with parents, monitoring program effectiveness, and assisting teachers with organizational, compliance, instructional, and management techniques. The specialist may also serve as a representative and advisor to community or system organizations and perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

Valid Alabama teaching certificate with certification in Special Education
Master's of Education degree or equivalent certification in Special Education and/or Educational Leadership and Administration
At least three years teaching experience as a special education teacher and/or resource specialist desired
Working knowledge of federal, state and local special education rules, regulations, and practices
Broad knowledge of theories, principles, practices and methodology of special education
Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities
Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgement
Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills
Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy
Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and diligence
Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to Special Education instructional programs
Possess the physical and emotional ability to fulfill the contract period
Employees are expected to model professional conduct, maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with students, use district-approved channels for communications, and avoid interactions that could be perceived as favoritism, grooming, or undue familiarity.
Staff must promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement authorities as required by Alabama law.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience of Assistive Technology to provide evaluation, modeling and training to staff and parents on communication and technology supports, preferred

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance under all state and federal mandates including but not limited to IDEA
Monitor and support self-contained special education programs (Exceptional Learning Communities) throughout the district
Collaborate and coordinate with system-wide administrators, supervisors, principals and specialists in the implementation of quality instructional programing
Monitor and support self-contained special education programs throughout the district
Help prepare state and federal reports per compliance mandates
Provides consultation to special education teachers, administrators, support personnel, parents and regular teachers regarding the writing and implementation of Individual Educational Plans
Collaborates with special education teachers, school leaders, and other experts to improve learning outcomes for students with disabilities. This includes but is not limited to direct instructional coaching, professional development, analysis of progress data, seeking out academic and behavioral instructional strategies, and assisting with implementation
Will consult with school site certified personnel to ensure district compliance with special education law
Communicates effectively, and in a timely manner, with parents and guardians of special needs students to address complaints, issues and concerns
Monitor and ensure the special education program's effectiveness on a regular basis
Confer with and assist teachers on a one-to-one basis as well as small groups in organizational, compliance, instructional and management techniques
Serve as representative and advisor to community and/or system organizations as appropriate
Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor