Special Education Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS: Holds a New Mexico Public Education Department teaching and administrative license Holds a Master's Degree with major emphasis in Special Education and Supervision and/orAdministration. Has knowledge of Special Education law, experience in transition planning and the ability tocollaborate with agencies. Must have demonstrated the leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary forworking effectively with pupils, teachers, parents, and community. Must have had, within the last ten (10) years, a minimum of five (5) years of successfulexperience as a teacher. Prefer at least one (1) year of experience at both elementary andsecondary school levels. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Demonstrate an understanding of instructional strategies for students with autism,developmental delay, specific learning disabilities, and behavior disorders. Extensive background knowledge with IEPs Demonstrate strong skills in partnering with families. Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability tocommunicate effectively with a diverse group of colleagues, parents, families, andcommunity members. Be committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population. Have a track record of being a team player and community minded. Be committed to their own learning. Have excellent time-management skills, attention to detail, and ability to workindependently. Adhere to a high level of professional and ethical standards. KEY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: Overseeing / managing a caseload of special education students and the implementationof their IEP/504 plans in: inclusive, self-contained and pull-out settings for Secondary. Ensuring appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services asstipulated on IEPs/504 plans. Ensuring compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulation relatingto students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education. Ensuring that services provided by contractual personnel are of high quality, provided inthe LRE, and are aligned with students' IEPs/504 plans. Effectively communicating to parents and guardians the special education processincluding process for referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations aswell as parental rights granted by IDEA. Facilitating IEP meetings using a strengths based and family centered approach Coordinating with student's special education team to ensure all documents arecompleted in a timely manner (according to state, local, and school policies andprocedures) prior to IEP meeting. Connect with special education team to ensure all team members (including parents) areprepared for the content of the meeting. Coordinating with special education team to complete quarterly IEP progress reports andprovide quarterly IEP progress reports to parents/guardians. Providing training and technical assistance to case managers, teachers, related serviceproviders and support service professionals on all aspects of cases management: use ofcomputer systems for the special education process, writing of goal writing, progressreports, annual reviews and parent communication. Ensuring IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards -based, strengthbased, and relevant to individual students. Working to maintain school and LEA tracking and data system that includes: studentinformation related to IEPs, services, service hours, evaluations, MDT referrals, timelinesin which evaluations were completed and discipline incidents documented Supporting the planning of special education initiative and the implementation ofinitiatives. Integrates new developments, research findings and best practices intoongoing programs and new initiatives. Representing the District as a subject matter expert in matters concerning students withspecial needs. Overseeing special education inventory of equipment/materials. Identifying and develops appropriate curriculum and school based assessments to supportthe academic growth of students with IEPs/504 plans. Gathering and report data for all reporting requirements concerning students withIEPs/504 plans and other required reports (to the State, Department of Education, census,grant applications, annual report, etc.). Maintaining a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issuessuch as changes in federal and local special education policy. Advocating for specialeducation with school leadership. Establishing and maintaining communication with parents of students in the program. Facilitating workshops / meetings for parents, as well as identifies resources for parentsof students with special needs. Engaging parents and families in their student's learning and acting as an ambassador forthe school in the community. As appropriate connecting with students' outside providers, pediatricians, and therapiststo support student's needs in classroom. Oversight of the SAT process Co-coordinating ESY program Maintaining confidentiality of student records and student information Other duties as assigned. Comply with all School Board policies and administrative regulations.