Job Title: Manager, Special Education
Date Posted: 6/1/2021
Job Function: Special Education
Grade Level: Elementary/Middle School
Job Type: Full-Time
Start Date:

ABOUT MERIDIAN PCS
Meridian is a PreK-8th grade school located in Washington DC's vibrant U Street Corridor. Our mission is to inspire a passion for learning in our students and to help them build their self-confidence and self-respect through academic achievement.

Our 650+ students are a diverse mix of African-American, Latino, Asian, African, and White students. Almost 30% of our students are English language learners, and we have one of the largest Hispanic populations in DC charter schools. We are committed to building a community of teachers and staff who reflect the rich diversity of our student body.

Meridian is committed to serving families from our local communities; and one-third of our students live within a half mile of the school. The U Street Corridor was once the heart of black culture in DC and offers a tangible historical archive for our students, and Columbia Heights is one of the most racially and economically diverse neighborhoods in the District. We are also proud of the fact that Meridian is a school of choice for parents— all eight wards of the city are represented among our student population.

Meridian's strengths include two beautiful and historic campuses, with nearby outdoor and recreational grounds; state of the art technology for students and teachers; updated and aligned curricula; an academic program laser-focused on student growth, achievement, and social-emotional development; extensive professional development and support for teachers and leaders; and a school culture grounded in student achievement, collaboration, and student-centered learning.

Join us as we continue to take Meridian from good to great! For additional information about Meridian visit mpcs-dc.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION
We are looking for a Special Education Manager to create a supportive, empowering learning environment for all student learners. A Special Education Manager's specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Promoting Student Academic Progress

• Advocating for special education students and staff
• Promoting cooperative relationships with general education staff and all special education stakeholders, including students and their families
• Developing the Student Support Team (SST) process for students
• Monitoring the delivery and integration of instruction and related services, as stipulated in and aligned with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Providing direct instructional support if needed
• Developing and implementing a performance management tracking system for students with disabilities, in collaboration with the Director of Student Support and Head of School
• Serving as the compliance link between the Director of Student Support, Head of School, special education teachers/case managers, and clinical providers
• Serving as the instructional leader and direct supervisor for the special education department, providing constructive feedback on pedagogical practice to teachers and conducting formal evaluations of their teaching

Supporting the IEP Process

• Scheduling, coordinating, and facilitating annual all IEP meetings;
• Ensuring IEP completion and compliance related to areas including: least restrictive environment (LRE), accommodations/modifications, service hours, transportation, and extended school year (ESY)
• Promoting positive student and family relationships and facilitating communication in complex cases
• Guiding thoughtful development of student evaluation plans in collaboration with clinical providers to ensure comprehensive and holistic evaluation of students in all areas of suspected disabilities
• Collaborating with evaluators to ensure timely referral of student evaluation plans and permission to evaluate forms and timely receipt of reports

Ensure Compliance

• Encouraging and guiding staff with regard to the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and all applicable laws, regulations, and mandates
• Overseeing the compliance of comprehensive documentation maintained in special education files
• Collaborating with school leadership on the professional development needed to support teachers/case managers
• Maintaining current information in Special Education Database System (SEDS)
• Maintaining shared schoolwide calendar of IEP meetings
• Conducting manifestation determination reviews (MDRs)

QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in special education, administration, or related field preferred
• Eligible for Special Education Standard Certification in Washington, D.C.
• Deep understanding of IDEA and other laws applicable to special education
• Knowledge of DC's regulatory environment and special education landscape
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Familiarity with SEDS or similar data system
• Able to give clear directions and supervise teachers/case managers

SALARY AND BENEFITS
A recent TNTP Insight Survey of our teachers placed our staff's satisfaction with compensation in the top quartile of all charter schools in DC. We also lead the charter sector in compensation transparency, and publish our salary scales for teachers, apprentice teachers, and dedicated aides here.

Meridian teachers and staff are compensated competitively for their time and have opportunities to earn additional income through leadership opportunities at the school level, offering extracurricular clubs and sports for students, and facilitating tutoring programs.

HOW TO APPLY
Do you embody a love of learning? Do you believe in the importance of educating the whole child? Do you want to join a collaborative team driving Meridian's continued growth from good to great?

Apply to the Special Education Manager position!

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran's status, or any other factor, which would constitute a violation of the D.C. Human Rights Act or other applicable laws or court order.