Program Manager, Special Education

Cleveland Metropolitan School District

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is seeking a Special Education Program Manager (K-12) to support a network of CMSD schools and/or classrooms in providing specialized instruction and accommodations to students with a wide range of exceptionalities. The program manager will provide access to technical support, professional development, and resources for school teams to ensure that each student has a pathway to success, from evaluation to graduation. Additionally, the program manager will collaborate with educators, families, and students to ensure that each child, in every school and classroom, has access to a robust system of support and a welcoming educational environment. The ideal program manager is an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all children, and uses data and effective practices to change systems impacting disadvantaged children with learning, communication, and other differences. Although the program manager will need to be well-versed in federal, state, and local compliance requirements, his/her focus is on high-quality instruction and student achievement. The program manager role is a versatile position that provides the employee with the opportunity to build leadership skills in the field of special education, while also contributing to the District’s Strategic Priorities and Core Values within CMSD’s Academics Division.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Special Education or related field required
At least 5 years of experience as an Intervention Specialist, Special Education Teacher, and/or administrator required
Ohio Intervention Specialist License or Professional Teaching License OR Ohio Licensure in Pupil Services Administration required
Knowledge of the issues and dynamics of inequity in education and passion for CMSD’s mission
Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of school staff in developing, implementing, and monitoring students’ individualized education plans
Ability to provide objective feedback on special education programming, compliance, and implementation
Knowledge of laws relevant to special education (IDEIA, Ohio Operating Standards, FERPA/HIPAA)
Proven experience working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
Results-driven, with excellent planning and organizing skills
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience navigating difficult and emotional conversations
Proven success with overcoming significant barriers to meet goals in a fast-paced and changeable environment
Ability to critically assess challenges and identify flexible, effective solutions
Ability to perform multifaceted tasks with minimum supervision

Nice To Haves

A strong commitment to the students in CMSD and a personal sense of accountability around the ultimate success of the CMSD transformation
Deep knowledge of the issues and dynamics of inequity in education and passion for CMSD’s mission
Explicit, systematic instruction (including structured literacy)
Consistent, organized, and responsive learning environments
Scaffolded supports
Adult collaborative structures
Assessment and progress monitoring
Culturally inclusive pedagogies and practices
Multi-tiered system of supports

Responsibilities

Design curriculum, resources, and instructional protocols that are aligned to Universal Design for Learning principles and evidence-based, high-leverage practices in special education.
Design and deliver professional learning in support of high-leverage practices that is grounded in data, adult learning principles, and equity
Support intervention specialists, paraprofessionals, and other school staff in their implementation of high-leverage practices through non-evaluative coaching, modeling, and co-planning as appropriate
Support principals and school-based leaders to develop their understanding of and ability to monitor high-leverage practices through modeling, leadership coaching, and co-planning as appropriate
Support assigned CMSD schools by: Communicating with families to help problem-solve when issues arise at the school level; Participating in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team meetings upon request of parent or school or when decisions about District resources are required
Partnering with other network support team members from key central office departments to support school-based leaders in strategic planning and execution of their schools’ Academic Achievement Plans
Assisting in the transitions of students from PreK to Kindergarten, from 8th to 9th grade, and from secondary to postsecondary life
Implement data-driven planning cycles to support IEP team decision-making with the intent of maximizing student inclusion while meeting individual needs
In collaboration with the Student Services and Teaching & Learning divisions, implement and monitor high-quality, grade-level curriculum in each subject area that is scaffolded and/or adapted to meet the needs of all learners
Monitor academic and functional student performance data for students with disabilities; help partner schools develop improvement strategies that will close achievement and performance gaps
With other Special Education Department staff, serve on ad hoc work groups focusing on specific populations (PreK-8, High School, Intensive Academic Support, Low Incidence/Autism, etc.) or specific bodies of work (ELA curriculum, protocols and procedures, secondary transition, etc.); execute on action items determined by the team
Manage and complete projects as assigned by the executive director