Great Oaks Legacy is seeking an experienced, like-minded urban educator to join our leadership team as the Network Director of SPED and Support Services. The Network Director of SPED and Support Services carries out GOLCS’ vision for world-class special education services: effective and efficient SPED programming for all students with disabilities that allows them to meet their individual potential.
The incumbent will directly manage the special education team and is in constant communication with the school community as a whole, including program strategy, partner relationships and operations. They will be responsible for coaching/developing special education leads at each campus, developing linear programing, designing vision, values, outcomes and goals for the network, and upholding continuum of services. Additionally, they will be responsible for program/placement/service innovation and management support which includes budgeting responsibility, compliance management and enrollment support.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The incumbent will report to Chief Academic Officer or his designee and will receive informal feedback, often daily through observations and interactions, weekly check-ins, and formal evaluations three times per year.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Content Expertise:
- Develop, execute, and drive the vision for special education by working through a diverse team of teachers and service providers; Co-chair the child study team to manage the special education eligibility process; Work alongside the study team(s) and SPED leads to execute next steps based on student population and need (this includes instructional coaching, programmatic planning and compliance management).
People Leadership & Performance Management:
- Work with members of the special education team to set individual goals based on school-wide goals and student achievement data;
- Manage the performance of SPED teammates to get outcomes for kids through O3s, observation/feedback, and professional development;
- Conduct weekly O3s with each teammate focused on instructional strategies, content, feedback based on observations and holding them accountable to goals;
- Conduct regular classroom observations of SPED teammates.
Instructional Leadership:
Conduct weekly walkthroughs focused on identifying strengths and weaknesses for the department as a whole in order to spread best practice and action plan, conduct weekly O3s with the school leader focused on outcomes of students with special needs; conduct content team meetings; uphold school leader’s vision for school culture and hold staff and students accountable to expectations (this includes coaching around culture).
School Leadership:
Collaborate as a member of the school leadership team and regional leadership team to ensure all students with disabilities meet their goals: Conduct weekly conversations with the school leadership team focused on student achievement data for focus grade levels and ensure that there are clear next steps and strategies to drive student outcomes; and provide input to Campus Directors on vision and goals.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must Haves
- Student Focus: Belief that all students, regardless of background, have the ability to go to and through college; demonstrated commitment to the school’s unique community.
- Achievement Orientation: Demonstrated student achievement results in own classroom and from teachers that he/she manages.
- Cultural Competence: Demonstrated ability to create inclusive environments. that honor and support a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
- Instructional Leadership: Adept at data analysis and strong content knowledge; ability to extract meaningful insights and actions from data.
- High Expectations: Sets and upholds high expectations for students academically and behaviorally.
- Results through Others: Evidence of ability to teach others skills in classroom management and effective lesson execution.
- Relationship Building: Evidence of ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, and families.
- Teacher of Disabilities Standard Certification.
- Supervisor Certification preferred.
- Three years special education teaching experience in an urban setting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills both verbal and written.
- Successfully completes required criminal history proof of U.S citizenship or legal resident status.
- Proven ability to successfully coach and lead others to achieve results (at least 2 years of experience in a leadership role (coaching teachers, grade level team person, dean, or assistant principal)
- Has received satisfactory ratings on all teacher/administrator evaluations the last 4 years
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Nice to Haves
- A master’s degree in education (preference is given to applicants with a special education concentration)
- Experience serving students from linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Experience in a high-performing district or charter environment
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance plans w/ comprehensive network coverage.
- Up to $5,250 per year in tax exempt student loan and tuition reimbursement.
- Reimbursements for external professional development aligned to your role.
- Wellness reimbursements including gym memberships, spa services, and more.
- Online counseling services - for staff and their dependents - via top-rated therapy app.
- Pre-tax state pension plan benefit w/ addl. options available via voluntary retirement plans.
- Pre-tax dependent care, health, and transit flexible spending plans available.
- Convenient health screening and telemedicine support via VitalCheck Wellness platform.
ABOUT GREAT OAKS LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOL
The Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is a high-performing, innovative charter public school in Newark NJ, serving students from Pre-K to 12th grade on campuses across the city of Newark. Our mission is to prepare Newark’s students for success in college and beyond.
Our model is based on the following guiding principles that guide our work daily –
- Creating a community that is built upon genuine and meaningful relationships. GOLCS staff rate our commitment to students as the #1 reason they teach/work at our schools.
- Being surgical in our approach to differentiation of instruction and support for all students and team members. Our students receive daily tutoring embedded into their school schedule - facilitated by our AmeriCorps team members. Staff members receive individualized coaching and support in their roles.
- Setting and exceeding high expectations for academic growth and character development for all students, in preparation for success in college and beyond. Currently, the historical college matriculation rate for GOLCS is 79% - nearly twice the national average for economically underrepresented students.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY
GOLCS is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. Furthermore, we believe that racial justice and equity is critical to our mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond. We strive to be an organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and elevates our student voices in preparing them for life and college.
GOLCS VACCINATION POLICY & COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is committed to ensuring healthy and safe working and learning environments, and maintaining our educational commitment to GOLCS students and families - with minimal disruption to instruction. With this in mind, as of October 2021, Great Oaks Legacy requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees. Candidates who would like to apply for a reasonable accommodation from this policy based on a qualifying disability or sincerely held religious belief should reach out to HR@greatoakslegacy.org for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Great Oaks Legacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.