Director of Student Supports
Great Lakes Academy is an independent charter school that opened in 2014. For the 2020-2021 academic year we will be serving students in grades K-7 and will continue to add a grade level annually to reach K-8. We are seeking a high capacity, fiercely positive, growth oriented Director of Student Supports (DSS) to design and manage our special education program and MTSS program for our students.

Job Description
The Director of Student Supports (DSS) is responsible for the special education and intervention programming at the school. This includes overseeing the pre-referral and referral processes and overseeing the creation of, and execution of, IEPs for special education students.

Job Outputs

A clear, well understood MTSS system is maintained that monitors all student progress in Tier 2 and 3 MTSS for academics and behavior. This includes weekly coordination of school's daily remediation block with the school's Campus Director, and coordination of any needed interventions for students throughout the day.

Clear MTSS process for students in need of behavioral supports that is understood and utilized across the school

SEL supports provided for all scholars from classroom wide curriculum to individualized supports

IEPs and 504s are all executed.

All students in need of any special services are efficiently identified and evaluated and provided with the appropriate Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504.

Related Service Providers (RSPs) are managed and all student service minutes are met, weekly.

School is in compliance with all district, state and federal special education laws and requirements, and all IEPs and 504s are compliant.

Special education teachers and paraprofessionals are coached and supported in providing services to students, including both academic and behavioral supports.

Job Responsibilities

Manages, coaches and supports student support team that includes special education teachers, social workers, paraprofessionals and RSPs.

Ensures the execution of engaging lessons that are appropriately modified when necessary for special education students. Ensures the accommodations are executed for all students in Tier 2, 3 and with an IEP or 504.

Hires, manages and coordinates schedules for RSPs serving students at GLA, including evaluations and execution of engaging lessons that supports all special needs such that they consistently meet and exceed their IEP goals.

Manages meetings cadence for entire student support team and across school to provide clear communication and systems for monitoring and supporting all scholars.

Create documentation necessary for all MTSS and Special Education programmatic needs, across team.

Manage all medication distribution across school

Coordinate with teachers and Special Education team monitoring student progress, coordinating the MTSS process, and any testing necessary for evaluations.

Collaborates with RSPs, special education teachers and Lead classroom teachers in coordinating support schedules for all special needs students and evaluations needs.

Manages parent relationships for all students receiving special services.

Conducts full staff training on special education services, MTSS system and supports, and school medical needs.

Ensures CPS compliance and ISBE compliance through IMPACT and other reporting mechanisms.

Coordinates all evaluations for students, both new and annual.

Coordinates communication to families for all student supports.

Coordinates all compliance trainings across staff

Coordinates staff execution of IEPs and 504s and tracking of all on IMPACT.

Selection, training, implementation and monitoring of MTSS curriculum and behavioral interventions.

Competencies

Ability to coordinate the execution of evaluations and creation of IEPs or 504 plans.

Ability to write IEPs that are comprehensive, compliant, and drive student success.

Knowledge of state and federal special education laws to ensure the compliance of the school with regulatory requirements.

Ability to clearly communicate with families, students, and staff regarding individual student needs and to build relationships with families.

Well-organized, able to create and maintain student data on clear spreadsheets.

Strong coordination and collaboration skills to organize and schedule the special services of all qualified students.

Ability to coach and support all Special Education teachers and support providers including teachers.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree is required; Master's degree is preferred; and

Minimum of two years special education teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting is required.

Case Management experience required, preferably within a CPS system school, district or charter.

Valid Illinois Special Education State Certification is required.

Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy's core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable.

Culture Fit- Do these words describe you?
Fiercely Positive, Hard-Working, Intelligent, Team oriented, Organized, Sense of Humor, Humble, Self-Reflective, Goal-Oriented, Enthusiastic, Efficient.

Apply Now
Go to www.glachicago.org and click on Join Us .

As an equal opportunity employer, Great Lakes Academy hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law.