Director, Special Education
Description
Organization Description
Herron Classical Schools is a community of scholars that advances timeless ideas and content, builds a culture of respect and trust, and engages in an urban environment in order to prepare students to be world-class citizens.
We are founded on the belief that a classical, liberal arts education, where students are steeped in great historical thought and invention, is the best preparation for a future life of leadership and service. We are structured around a classical methodology which emphasizes the classical art and literature of many cultures.
The Herron Classical Schools Network (Herron High School, Herron-Riverside High School, and Herron Preparatory Academy) is a Mayor-sponsored charter network and a member of the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Innovation Network. The Herron Classical Schools network operates with the authority to make decisions about all aspects of our schools and is overseen by its own board of directors. As Innovation schools, we partner with IPS to give students a broader base of resources while maintaining our status as tuition-free charter schools.
Our Core Values
1. Believes that every student is a scholar.
2. Engages in an urban community.
3. Advances timeless ideas and content.
4. Builds a culture of respect and trust through relationships with people and ideas.
5. Serves as a catalyst for renewal.
Job Summary
The Director, Special Education ensures that all schools follow all state and federal regulations relative to the identification, placement, and program development for students receiving special education services. The Director, Special Education reports to the Sr. Vice President, Academics.
Job Responsibilities
1. A leadership assignment of 260 days (year-round).
2. Supervise Teachers of Record, Instructional Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologist assistant, Administrative Assistant, and all contract service providers for the Special Education Department at all Herron Classical Schools campuses.
3. Collaborate with administration and faculty and staff for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services for students who qualify for specially designed instruction in accordance with programmatic and regulatory requirements for all schools within the network.
4. Coordinate to review special education needs of incoming students at all campuses, including receiving IEPs as relevant.
5. Follow all IDOE and school guidelines concerning the development and implementation of IEPs.
6. Work with students receiving special education and faculty to provide the appropriate least restrictive environment for each student to receive his/her accommodations.
7. Work directly with general education teachers on issues that may arise in classroom settings.
8. Perform audits to ensure faculty is adhering to student IEPs and providing the outlined accommodations. Submit a periodic report to the Executive Leadership team with audit results.
9. Oversee compliant case conferences and annual reviews, serving as Public Agency Representative as necessary.
10. Participate and help lead MTSS processes including student identification and evaluation decisions
11. Facilitate and monitor Medicaid reimbursement process for eligible services.
12. Oversee budget expenditures for the Special Education Department.
13. Oversee and regularly update a network Special Education Manual.
14. Facilitate necessary testing for evaluation/reevaluation process.
15. Assist administration with providing necessary training to special education staff, general education teachers, administration, support staff, parents, etc.
16. Work and communicate with parents/guardians of Herron Classical Schools’ students receiving education services.
17. Ensure compliance with all IDOE, federal, and school regulations regarding parental consent.
18. Attendance at scheduled faculty meetings, professional development meetings and other sessions as determined by the Executive Leadership team.
19. Attendance at evening events that include but may not be limited to Parent Orientation, Meet the Teacher Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences and Open Houses. The dates of these events are listed on the Master Calendar.
20. Mandatory attendance at the annual Symposium (a day long professional development determined by the administration). The date of this event is listed on the Master Calendar.
21. An expectation of professional conduct and professional growth throughout the year.
22. Collaboratively work with the administration and other teachers to create policy, guidelines, and working procedures for Herron Classical Schools.
23. Perform other duties as determined necessary by the administration.
Requirements
Skills Required
- Leadership – Take responsibility for not only their decisions and work completed, but the decision and work of the entire department. Inspires trust and supports others through authenticity and follow through. Maintains high ethical standards and shows consistency among principles and alignment to core values.
- Communication & Collaboration – Constant communication with leaders to stay attuned to organizational initiatives, fostering relationships across the organization to instill trust and communication across the departments.
- Strategic Approach – Ability to develop a strategic plan and vision. Visualizes long-term organization’s success and works to clarify long term goals.
- Initiative – Seeks to anticipate and respond to industry and market changes/challenges by understanding key characteristics, issues, and factors driving them. Aware of competitor’s products, services, and positions to anticipate future strategic initiatives.
Additional Education/Knowledge/Skills Requirements:
1. At least 5 years of relevant experience in education and hold a Professional Educators License.
2. Master’s degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a closely related field.
3. Candidates are expected to hold, or be eligible for, an Indiana building level k-12 Administrative Licensure or Certification in Special Education Administration.
Measures of Success
1. Lead Special Education Departments that are compliant with IDEA and all Indiana and federal special education law, including FAPE and LRE
2. Build trust through professionalism, follow-through, and relationship-centered leadership with all stakeholders, especially TORs, IAs, administration, and families.
Diversity & Inclusion - Embracing a Culture of Respect
Diversity and inclusion are integral to Herron Classical Schools' mission and are embedded in its Core Values. By building a culture of respect and trust through relationships with people and ideas, HCS believes that a highly intentional diversity enriches our community. HCS is committed to creating an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are embraced, respected, and valued.
Equity Statement
Herron Classical Schools, through action and in partnership with families and community, will uphold the values, policies, and practices that promote cultural competence. We are committed to eliminating biased institutional structures, hiring practices, and practices that affect student learning and achievement. We will embrace and empower students and staff in their individual identities to establish and sustain human dignity, justice, equitable treatment, and inclusiveness in the classroom and workplace.
Non-discrimination Statement
Herron Classical Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, or any characteristic that is legally protected under applicable local, state, or federal law in the administration of its educational policies, behavior policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, food service, hiring practices, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
Herron Classical Schools abides by the Indiana Civil Rights Laws I.C. 22-9-1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USCS § 12101,et.seq.). Complaints regarding acts of sexual discrimination or harassment in violation of Title IX requirements should be filed with Herron Classical Schools Title IX Coordinator, Karen Lalioff, by email klalioff@herronclassical.org, by phone at 317-231-0010 xlll3, or by filling out a Report of Harassment form available from Student Services or any school administrator. Inquiries regarding compliance by Herron Classical Schools with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Herron Classical Schools, 110 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 1053, Chicago, IL 60606-7204.
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