SY 26-27 Special Education Teacher / Special Education Department Chair

Girls Global Academy • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Teacher / Special Education Department Chair is an integral member of Girls Global Academy’s instructional leadership team and coordinates the Special Education Department. The role works with teachers and school leaders on Child Find, supports staff with Universal Design for Learning and differentiation, and fosters an inclusive classroom environment. It also contributes to curriculum development and supports the school’s mission of academic excellence and female empowerment.

The position combines department leadership, case management, compliance, program development, coordination of student services, family communication, advocacy, and direct student support. The chair manages special education staff and coordinates referrals, evaluations, reevaluations, IEP services, accommodations, reporting, and secondary transition programming. The position is 10 months.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Special Education and special education certification or degree in special education.
• At least three years of successful classroom teaching experience as a special education teacher.
• Extensive background knowledge of EASY IEP.
• Knowledge of and experience with Universal Design for Learning and learning strategies for English learners.
• Expertise in programs used to assess students for services.
• Advanced understanding of instructional strategies for students with disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, parents, families, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Create and update staff schedules to meet student service-hour needs.
• Conduct weekly special education team meetings and coordinate special education professional development.
• Conduct biweekly individualized staff check-ins and coaching sessions; advocate for team needs in leadership meetings.
• Coordinate staff absence and classroom coverage with the Director of Academics.
• Serve as the point of contact for student evaluations and support co-teaching between special education staff and content instructors.
• Collaborate with the Director of Academics on general education lesson-planning support and co-teaching and staffing needs; provide lesson-planning support for special education teachers.
• Monitor testing accommodations.
• Coordinate with LiftEd consultants and contracted related-service providers, including scheduling and updates; coordinate nonpublic placements and serve as the LEA representative for students in those placements.
• Coordinate student service needs with the CARE team, attend a portion of CARE team meetings for updates, and participate in the Multi-Tiered Support System process.
• Coordinate with operations regarding special education student attendance and home visits.
• Schedule and coordinate beginning-of-year communications and parent information and training sessions for IEP and Me and special education at GGA.
• Provide weekly updates on IEP annual reviews and changes to IEP and Me; coordinate at least one parent education session each quarter and publish a biweekly parent newsletter with updates, contact information, and resources.
• Ensure special education staff communicate with parents in a variety of ways.
• Serve as case manager for students with 504 plans and conduct their annual meetings.
• Create a referral system, conduct initial informal observations, gather data, and serve as the point of contact for evaluations.
• Coordinate transportation with LiftEd and at the school level.
• Manage 504 compliance and serve as the point of contact for special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and dedicated aides.
• Design, implement, and evaluate processes for student referrals, placement, services, and ongoing assessment; connect students and families with community providers and referrals.
• Guide teachers, facilitate communication, and advocate for student support, family engagement, and community-based referrals as needed.
• Collaborate with parents or guardians, advocates, and legal counsel to provide consultation and resolve school-based issues, making referrals as appropriate.
• Conduct ongoing individual, group, and workshop sessions with students to address social-emotional needs and improve behaviors and interactions affecting school climate, attendance, and learning environments.
• Provide psychoeducation and assess students to determine additional needs.
• Provide related services prescribed by IEPs, including social, life, and transition skills transferable to school and community settings.
• Participate in IEP and academic 504 teams, Instructional Support and Student Intervention Teams, and other school-based teams to develop interventions supporting academic success.
• Manage special education teachers and students; coordinate special education referrals, evaluations, and reevaluations.
• Serve as the OSSE and PCSB point of contact for IDEA monitoring, notices of noncompliance, corrective actions, and federal reporting; respond to inquiries from staff, district personnel, and other agencies.
• Ensure IEPs are developmentally appropriate, standards- and curriculum-based, strength-based, and relevant to individual students.
• Ensure appropriate services, accommodations, goals, and behavior intervention plans are provided and implemented.
• Gather and report required data on students with IEPs and 504 plans and other required reports to the state, Department of Education, census, grant applications, and annual reports.
• Develop comprehensive grades 9–12 secondary transition programming in collaboration with students, families, schools, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Personalized professional development tailored to educators’ needs.
• Support and coaching from an experienced leadership team.
• Opportunity to participate in decision-making in an equitable and inclusive environment.
• A work-life rhythm that encourages self-care.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level