A Step Up Academy (ASUA) is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Education Director to lead our Separate Learning Center (SLC) in Abington, PA for students with autism and co-occurring disabilities. This unique position is ideal for an experienced and compassionate educational leader ready to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students and their families. The Education Director will manage the SLC under the guidance of the Head of Schools and ASUA Executive Team, working closely with the Behavior Director to ensure high-quality programming. As a key member of our team, the Education Director will oversee the SLC's specialized programs, fostering an inclusive, child-centered learning environment that supports each student's growth and success.
If you are passionate about advancing autism support in education and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven setting, we invite you to apply for this impactful role at ASUA. Please be sure to include a resume and cover letter.
Position: Education Director- SLC
Reports: Head of Schools
Status: 12 Month
Job Summary:
- The Education Director leads the Separate Learning Center (SLC) at A Step Up Academy (ASUA), a specialized special education school licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide autistic support for students with autism and co-occurring disabilities. The Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of special education services, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, maintaining high-quality educational, clinical, and behavioral programming, and collaborating closely with leadership and staff to create an inclusive, progressive, and child-centered learning environment.
- The Education Director is the Separate Learning Center’s (SLC) leading instructional professional and works as part of the leadership team, in collaboration with the Behavior Director.
- The function of the Education Director is to provide, within legal and professional standards, an organizational framework in which efficient and appropriate special education programs can be delivered to students with exceptional educational needs.
- The Education Director ensures children with disabilities maximize their learning in all educational settings (inclusive/self-contained/community-based instruction), oversees curriculum development and implementation, and ensures that specially designed instruction and Individualized Education Programs are appropriately developed and delivered.
- The Education Director is responsible for providing professional leadership and management of all instructional staff in partnership with behavioral and related services staff, to enhance their effectiveness in order to achieve improved standards of learning and achievement in the school.
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field (required).
- Pennsylvania Principal Certification and/or Special Education Certification (required).
- At least 7 years of experience working in education, including experience with students with autism and co-occurring disabilities (required). Experience in a supervisory or administrative role in a special education setting preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a school or special education setting.
- In-depth knowledge of special education law, IEP development, and behavioral interventions.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, child-centered, and collaborative learning environment.
- Current Act 34, 114, and 151 clearances
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership and Program Development:
- Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of special education programming in the SLC, ensuring alignment with ASUA’s mission, goals, and the specific needs of students with autism and co-occurring disabilities.
- Collaborate with the Head of Schools and Behavior Director to design and implement individualized, evidence-based instructional strategies and behavioral interventions.
- Supervise and evaluate special education teachers, therapeutic service providers, and support staff, providing ongoing professional development, mentorship, and support to enhance instructional quality.
- Be inspirational, visible, and accessible to members of the school community and beyond.
- Demonstrate sufficient security and judgment to handle a crisis and to use supervision constructively.
- Collaborate and continue to educate instructional staff for the purposes of deepening understanding of the ASUA mission and current methodologies in the treatment of children with autism.
- Lead by example the creation of a culture at the School that reflects the values associated with the family and community-based philosophy at ASUA.
- Oversee enrollment of admitted students and all due diligence in the admissions process.
- Oversee and supervise the schedule for educational program ensuring a functional and consistent schedule for individual classrooms and overall educational programming at each building site across grades, programs, and events.
2. Compliance and Documentation:
- Ensure compliance with all Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) regulations and guidelines, as well as federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act when appropriate.
- Oversee the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in collaboration with teachers, therapists, and families, ensuring IEP goals are meaningful, measurable, and aligned with student needs. Attend IEP meetings as the school representative.
- Monitor the proper documentation of student progress and ensure timely communication with families, school districts, and other external agencies.
- Testify in due process hearings for students, if appropriate.
3. Collaboration and Communication:
- Serve as a key liaison between the SLC, families, school districts, and charter schools, facilitating open, effective communication to ensure students’ educational needs are met.
- Collaborate with the Behavior Director to address behavioral challenges and implement Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Positive Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings to discuss student progress, challenges, and necessary supports, ensuring a collaborative approach to meeting individual student needs.
4. Professional Development and Training:
- Lead and coordinate professional development opportunities for staff related to special education, autism, behavioral interventions, and inclusive practices.
- Stay informed of current research, best practices, and developments in the field of special education, ensuring that the SLC continues to innovate and evolve its approach to teaching and learning.
5. Operational and Administrative Responsibilities:
- Manage the operational aspects of the SLC, including scheduling, resource allocation, and staff deployment in collaboration with the Step Up Executive and Operations teams.
- Collaborate with ASUA’s leadership team in budget planning and resource management to support program growth and sustainability.
- Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new staff, ensuring that the school attracts and retains highly qualified professionals dedicated to supporting students with autism.
6. Community Engagement and Outreach:
- Represent the SLC and ASUA in local, state, and national forums related to special education and autism services, building partnerships with community organizations, higher education institutions, and advocacy groups.
- Facilitate family workshops, training sessions, and information-sharing events to support parent and caregiver involvement in their child’s education.
7. Management Information Systems & IT
- Use of special education, student information system, and data collection software for student data documentation.
8. Human Resource Management
- Ensure staff have a clear understanding of the policies and procedures and the importance of putting them into practice.
- Ensure the highest quality standards by offering employee trainings and educational knowledge and counsel to the instructional staff.
- Monitor the way policies and procedures are actioned and provide support where necessary.
- Follow disciplinary procedures, as outlined in the ASUA Employee Handbook in conjunction with the Head of School and develop action plans for instructional staff who are not performing at a satisfactory level.
- Seek and make use of specialist expertise in relation to HR issues.
- Utilize administrative and support staff appropriately to assist with daily functioning of school.
9. Facility and Property Management
- Ensure the safe maintenance and security operation of all school premises.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
- To read and abide by the Employee Handbook including updates and changes.
- To attend all mandatory meetings, including those that fall outside of regularly scheduled school hours and as described in the Employee Handbook.
- This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Education Director will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Head of Schools or appropriate administrator.
- Travel between campuses and directed or needed.
- Duties can be performed in the building, community, or in other off-campus locations.
Physical Requirements:
Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, climbing stairs, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required. Adequate vision and hearing ability for monitoring children’s verbal and non-verbal responses. Ability to provide a quality behavior model for students and staff.
Safety and Health:
Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.
Knowledge of best practices regarding behavioral de-escalation and safety protocols.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This position requires a Special Education PA Certification and/or a Principal PA Certification. Do you meet one of these requirements?
Experience:
- Special education: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
