Overview
Though 9 in 10 Latino young adults say a college degree is important for success in life, fewer than 15% age 25 or older hold a bachelor’s degree. Voices College-Bound Language Academies exists to change that.
Voices is a public charter school network with a mission to prepare all students for the challenges of higher education through the context of an academically rigorous dual-immersion program. Every student, regardless of home language, graduates bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish.
Role Summary
Voices Academies’ Education Specialist (SPED) Teacher will be an inspiring and motivating educator who can work independently. Under the supervision of the Principal and Student Services Manager, the Education Specialist instructs students with Individualized Education Plans in an inclusive environment. This role works directly within a school site and collaborates regularly with Special Education staff, general education staff and may work with outside consultants and district personnel as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Administer academic assessments, write the academic assessment reports and present at IEP meetings
- Consult and communicate with faculty and parents via meetings, phone, and email regarding the needs and progress of students
- Maintain knowledge of current regulations pertaining to special education
- Collaborate with faculty to ensure that student modifications and accommodations are being appropriately implemented in the general education classroom
- Assist with the development of the master schedule to plan for all student IEP needs.
- Meet the minimum IDEA requirements related to case management
- Input weekly IEP service tracking and meet all IEP timelines
- Maintain a high level of rigor for students with disabilities in order to ensure equitable access to common core standards.
- Develop progress monitoring tools for student goals that is shared with the IEP team
- Regularly collaborate with team members and related service providers for the purposes of: reviewing student data, ensuring IEP and behavior plan implementation, co-planning and/or co-teaching.
- Daily oversight of paraprofessional support, including support with creating a schedule and implementation of the IEP
- Demonstrate effective organization skills in order to create and maintain notifications, records, files, and reports as required by federal, state, and SELPA regulations
- Implement health and mobility supports (i.e. support student/s with toileting, g-tube feeding, administration of medication while under supervision of school nurse) and assist with the physical needs of students (i.e. lifting, assisting with mobility, access to campus.)
- Oversee, teach and implement a student’s behavior intervention plan, including gathering and analyzing relevant data on a regular basis, and collaborating with staff members around student plan and progress
- Regularly co-teach/co-plan with General Education teachers
- Coordinate the development and implementation of a student’s Individualized Transition Program
- Develop lesson plans consistent with Voices best practices & guidelines, instructional materials and provide individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student
Additional Responsibilities:
- Knowledge of special education principles, concepts, methodologies, and documentation requirements
- Knowledge of special education assessment, planning, instruction, and evaluation
- Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles
- Belief in inclusion and Voices Charter School equity beliefs and demonstrates high expectations for students with diverse learning needs
- Ability and willingness to reflect and improve
- Ability and willingness to follow and meet mandated deadlines and due dates
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with general education and special education colleagues, administration, parents and community
- Ability to excel as a member of a team and implement new learnings from professional development
- Ability to work with an ethnically and economically diverse student body
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
- Participate in daily grade-level meetings and professional development
- Identify unique student needs and collaborates with other team members and outside service providers to address learning challenges
- Participates in various meetings and professional development activities, including retreats, IEP, SST, Parent conference, In service training, Staff meetings, etc.
- Participating in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions, events, and trips
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Voices Charter Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
Professional Activities:
- Represent the school and program to local and State groups as assigned maintaining a positive and professional image; interact with outside agencies as necessary
- Mentor and co-plan with Associate Teacher; keeping him/her informed of weekly plans and goals and evaluating Associate Teacher
- Other duties as assigned
Voices Academies Education Specialist Teacher candidates will have the following:
QUALIFICATIONS
- CA Special Education Teaching Credential (Mild/Moderate Education Specialist,) required
- Bridge Authorizations for Mild-Moderate Credentials received prior to June of 2022
- Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
Competencies:
- Expertise in applicable grade-level Common Core State Standards and Academic IEP goal development
- Knowledge around the models of co-teaching and serving students with disabilities in an inclusive model
- Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed
- Alignment to and urgency around Voices’ mission, vision and values
Minimum educational level:
- Bachelor’s Degree required in a related field.
Experience preferred:
- 2+ years working with students with special needs in an educational setting
Physical requirements:
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Work authorization requirements:
- Clear the Department of Justice background screening.
- Authorized to work in the United States.
Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years). Valid bilingual authorization (BCLAD or equivalent , BCC, ELD, or LDS, etc.)
- Demonstrated passion for the mission, vision and values of Voices Academies with a deep commitment to improving the lives of students from low-income communities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish
- Outstanding written, speaking, and organizational skills with experience interacting with a broad range of stakeholders
- Commitment to accelerated educational progress of children
- Experience or commitment to public education, social justice, efficacy and equity
- Works well in a high pressure environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Can work independently, have flexibility, and demonstrated success in building a dual-immersion curriculum
- Understanding of dual immersion instructional practices and school design and the unique characteristics of public charter schools is a plus
- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Google Apps
Working Conditions:
- Regular requirement to stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, stoop, kneel and crouch
- Lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Occasional evening and or weekend work
- Occasional travel
- Willingness to be trained as needed
Prior To Employment: Once an offer has been extended, a candidate must meet the following criteria to receive a final offer:
- First Aid/CPR Certification
- Cleared criminal background check
- Valid TB Clearance
Key Compensation:
- Annual Salary Range: $64,446 to $97,299 DOE
- Eligible for $3,000 one time high needs stipend. Stipends are taxable, and all regular payroll taxes will be withheld.
- Medical benefits
- Exceptional growth opportunities
- Retirement plan
Employment:
- Reports directly to Principal, Student Services Manager
- Permanent Salaried, Exempt Position
- Position follows 11-month calendar
- At-Will Agreement
Voices College-Bound Language Academies is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Voices to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizenship status, medical condition, or any other legally protected status.
Pay: $64,446.00 - $97,299.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
