Manager of Special Education - Missouri Connections Academy

Connections Academy•Columbia, MO

About The Position

The Manager of Special Education will work in conjunction with the school’s leadership team to support the mission and operations of the school to help students successfully complete their instructional and career pathway programs. The Manager of Special Education will ensure that the school is providing appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students with special needs. This will include management of the pre-referral and IEP processes, maintenance of student data, communicate with parents, locate and contract with service providers throughout the state, and ensure that the school operates in compliance with special education law and procedures at all times. The Manager of Special Education will lead the K-12 Special Education Team and ensure the school remains in compliance with state and federal requirements.

Requirements

Masters’ Degree in Special Education or related Education Field
Administrator’s License or Special Education Director license required
A minimum of 3 years of full-time successful teaching experience in special education
Experience leading/managing a high school Special Education program
Experience implementing a Special Education transition program.
Expertise in special education law and compliance
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Strong leader
Customer focused approach
High degree of flexibility
Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products)
Occasional travel (less than 10%)
Proctor state assessments
Missouri certification
Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.

Responsibilities

Support the mission and operations of the school to help students successfully complete their instructional and career pathway programs.
Create and implement a school-to-work transition program for students with disabilities.
Build and maintain relationships with private providers, community agencies, and adult service providers.
Ensure IEP move in conferences occur within ten days of enrollment for all students with IEPs enrolled at MOCA.
Ensure compliance with special education processes and timelines.
Implement a strong process for student who are part of the Child Find process, ensuring deadlines are met;
Maintain documentation within the IEP program and the Learning Management System that captures and organizes special education timelines and data;
Implement standardized processes, forms and protocols for all special education procedures;
Coordinate the establishment and delivery of IEP mandated services to students;
Communicate and consult with teachers and Learning Coaches regarding the instructional program for students with disabilities or other special needs, ensuring compliant school actions and that students are learning in their Least Restrictive Environment;
Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP or 504 plan mandated accommodations for students with special needs during state testing events;
Participate in conferences and meetings as required;
Collaborate with the corporate staff and members of the local school team;
Develop a working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs;
Support the State Testing team with in planning state assessments;
Introduce new ways of supporting special needs students in a virtual environment;
Provide supervision to the special education teacher(s) and assistant managers;
Plan, implement, and evaluate staff in-service activities; and
Performs such other duties as assigned by the School Leader or corporate Senior Director of Student Services.