Special Education Coordinator, Harlem Gems

We are seeking a Special Education Coordinator. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for the mission and core values of HCZ Harlem Gems, an understanding and respect for the culture of all residents of Harlem, and a desire for working in a school setting that fosters a love for children.

Harlem Gems is the final step in our early childhood pipeline. A top-notch, year-round, full-day pre-kindergarten program, Gems works with 240 children across four sites to ensure that each and every one enters kindergarten school-ready. With five staff in each classroom, classes have a 4:1 child-to-adult ratio, allowing for more one-on-one work and ensuring that students receive the individualized attention they need. Gems staff also encourage strong family involvement, engaging parents and caregivers in classroom activities and creating consistency between home and school.

Early literacy skills are a primary focus of the Gems curriculum. Students are immersed in language-and not just English. They also learn basic vocabulary in French and Spanish, and get to know and explore the world around them through exposure to a range of disciplines-from math, science, and technology to social studies and the arts. They participate in fun fitness activities, playing sports such as golf and tennis, and even learn the basics of health and nutrition, including how to differentiate "go," "slow," and "whoa" foods to foster healthy eating habits. From recreation to reading, our goal is to turn our Gems into lifelong learners. And we reinforce the ultimate goal-college graduation-early and often. Each Gems classroom is named after a prestigious college or university, at once setting a high bar for the future and fostering a culture of academic excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate signing of Compliance Forms by service providers and teachers prior to the beginning of the school year.
• Update and maintain SPED Spreadsheet- weekly basis
• Manage Non-Mandated Speech services- weekly basis
• Obtain consent for non-mandated speech services
• Update reports on google drive
• Track services

• Schedule pre-evaluation meeting with parents.
• Support parents in initial IEP process - consent letter, meeting reminders, collecting reports, following up on status.
• IEP Documents
• Review IEP documents with parents at least one week prior to the meeting
• Keeping the Managing Director and Director of Special Education informed throughout the entire process

• Participate in IEP meetings
• Alert parents to ensure participation - letter and phone
• Participate in person
• Provide timely follow-up/next steps based on meeting and discussions with parents and staff
• Discuss and email IEP meeting outcomes with teams
• Coordinate outside observers or evaluators if they need to come to the school.
• Upload IEP and place in students' files at individual sites
• Keeping files and documentation up to date and in a locked, secure area
• Conduct Family workshops in reference to Special Education (for example Turning Five Process)
• Intervention
• Provide consistent intervention as per your schedule
• Lesson Plans- due on Fridays
• Conference Notes for students

• Action Plans
• Discuss with teachers and staff progress on action plans/struggling students that may need one
• Create academic, physical, social and emotional plans for students after talking with the team and the Director of Special Education
• Train teachers on these plans
• Keep the Director of Special Education abreast of all conversations, meetings, action plans from inception via email, discussions, calendar invites, etc.

• Support in school visits with parents

• Collaboration
• Keep directors and the Director of Special Education abreast of any materials, supplies and resources that may need to be ordered to support our special needs and struggling students
• Collaborate with service providers (SEIT, OT, PT, etc)
• Collect teacher reports and ensure that they are completed accurately and in a timely fashion, assisting as necessary
• Any further requests as needed

Qualification, Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• A Current NY State Special Education Teaching Certificate (Early Childhood Special Education) is required
• A Master's Degree (Preferred)
• At least 2 years of full-time teaching experience (Preferred)
• Full-time classroom teaching experience and a demonstrated track record of propelling students' academic growth and mastery
• Strong instructional and classroom management skills
• An unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels
• A high level of personal organization and planning
• Be passionate about urban education and closing the achievement gap
• A "can do" attitude and be a team player, relentless in the pursuit of the school's academic objectives
• A strong desire to grow, and actively seek out constructive feedback