About Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools
Atmosphere Academy is a SUNY-approved charter school that serves Bronx students and families in grades 6 through 10. Atmosphere's mission is to provide an "atmosphere" for learning in which students and teachers realize their potential as collaborative leaders. To realize this goal, Atmosphere has developed a suite of robust academic and enrichment programming that are designed to develop students’ skills, knowledge, and character. Similarly, the school promotes a professional culture for its staff that focuses on being a learning organization.
Special Education Associate Manager
The Special Education Associate Manager (SEAM) is an apprentice Leader of the Student Learning Department at Atmosphere. As such, the SEAM will receive support in the completion of all tasks until readiness for full leadership is illustrated. The SEAM reports to the Atmosphere Officers and Special Education Leader and manages the Special Education process and compliance. The Special Education Associate Manager will maintain systems, analyze data, facilitate professional development, coach teachers and conduct observations and evaluations among other key duties under the direction and supervision of the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) and the Special Education Leader (SEL). In the inaugural year in the position, all evaluations will be conducted in tandem with the CLO and SEL.
The responsibilities and scope of work expected of the Special Education Associate Manager are outlined below, but some important core responsibilities include:
1.) A key partner and collaborator with the Atmosphere leadership team and Committee on Special Education in implementing the scope and sequence of the Student Learning Department IEP process, compliance, and student goals.
2.) A local supervisor, mentor, and coach to all teachers and related service providers with regard to IEP knowledge and implementation of services
Atmosphere school leaders support teachers and staff in developing their instructional and professional practice by promoting a focus on continuous improvement that culminates in better student outcomes. Facilitating coaching, teaming, and professional development opportunities are key components of the school leaders’ responsibilities. Moreover, observation and evaluation are approached as shared processes with an emphasis on collaboration, self-reflection, and mutual accountability.
The Special Education Associate Manager reports to and collaborates with the Chief Learning Officer and Special Education Leader on all matters.
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Atmosphere Academy offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes the following:
- Up to a 16% merit bonus based on annual goals and evaluation rating (at end of first full school year of employment)
- 401k plan with 8% employer matching
- Health, dental and vision insurance plans 100% paid for by Atmosphere
- Health Reimbursement Account of $2000 to address any copays or deductibles.
- Life insurance plan 50% paid for by Atmosphere
- School vacations as designated for your position
- 10 paid personal days per year, plus earning comp days and summer days for weekends and vacation days worked
- Unused PTO days can be cashed out at end of year for an additional bonus
Qualifications
- Relevant teaching experience in a charter school or other school setting
- Proven track record of successfully working with Atmosphere’s student population
- Experience working with diverse student groupings that may include a range of ELL students, special education students, general education students, and gifted students
- Dynamic teacher persona that engages students and seamlessly manages the classroom
- Strong lesson planning, curriculum development, and assessment development skills
- Student-centered teaching philosophy and pedagogy that is compatible with both the SIOP and GRR instructional model
- Strong interpersonal skills and track record of collaborating with diverse stakeholders
- Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
- Relentless determination to do whatever it takes to help Atmosphere students succeed
- Proactive and creative problem-solver
- Values input and feedback
- Team-player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
- Strong recommendations from prior employers and colleagues
- Able to meet strict deadlines
- Master degree in related field preferred
- A Bachelor degree in related field required
- NYS certification in field required
- Prior coaching, coordination, or management experience preferred
- Prior experience writing IEPs preferred
Responsibilities
Supporting the Chief Academic Officer (CAO), Chief Learning Officer (CLO), Chief Culture Officer (CCO), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Special Education Leader (SEL) through a leadership mindset, the Special Education Associate Manager must consistently utilize higher-order reasoning and common sense to promote a pro-Atmosphere and pro-student learning environment. Associate Managers are required to work 50 hours per week and are not granted flex time. However, Associate Managers do have the added perk of comp time and can work with their supervisor(s) to create work schedules that meet their personal and professional needs (with some weeks or days where the Associate Manager takes needed time and then exceeds the hourly expectation or obligation on another day or week).
IEP Compliance
- Writing IEPs - includes writing the Present Levels of Performance (PLOP) and Academic Goals
- Reviewing IEP teacher reports and providing direct feedback to staff
- Communicating with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) regarding all matters related to students with IEPs
- Submitting all documentation in preparation for IEP reviews in accordance with the deadlines required by the CSE
- Participating as the main point of contact for IEP reviews - speaking to students’ academic strengths, academic areas of growth, social and emotional development, and goals. The Special Education Associate Manager will also recommend programs and services in conjunction with the CSE
- Managing multiple databases - the Special Education Associate Manager will be responsible for maintaining databases related to special education services, scheduling, and compliance
- Developing and maintaining a strong working relationship with the CSE
- Participating in and supporting the facilitation of Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) meetings
- Ensuring the completion of vocational questionnaires by students
Academic Supervision Duties
Developing all department teachers via regular coaching, which includes:
- Check-in meetings and conferences
- IEP feedback
- Data dives for teacher report preparation
- Reviewing of student work for IEP meetings
- Participating in IEP meetings
Data and Assessment Duties
- Tracking and monitoring student achievement data in given department to monitor progress in real-time and adjust as needed
- Checking PowerSchool, School Runner, and Kickboard for accuracy and updates to make sure all deadlines are met
- Reviewing grade distribution of teachers in the department to ensure a fair assessment of students and reasonable failure rate.
Meeting Duties
- Leading department team meetings to ensure high-quality, data-driven instruction
- Participating in weekly check-in meetings with SEL to share information about teacher and program feedback
- Participating in IL meetings as necessary
- Participating in Student Learning Department Parent Teacher Conferences
Teaching Duties
- Teaching Achievement Assemblies or Achievement Days (pending IEP review schedule)
- Maintaining a highly-engaged classroom setting that promotes good order and a love of learning
- Highlighting student voices and promote student-led discovery of meaning
Professional Duties
- Developing and facilitating professional development workshops for staff
- Seeking out internal and external professional development opportunities that are either presented by Atmosphere or independently identified
- Actively contributing to a professional learning community by partaking in coaching and other activities and tasks focused on promoting professional learning and growth
Other Duties
- Completing any and all other responsibilities as delegated and assigned by the Board of Trustees and the CEO
Equal Opportunity Employer
Atmosphere Academy Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
