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Special Education Curriculum Specialist

 

Reports to: Regional Administrator Classification: Contracted
Date: February 2011

Job Summary

Partners with educators, families and communities to provide effective learning environments for all students.  Helps ensure success for all learners.  Provides leadership and support to Agency and district staff in designing instruction, modeling strategies and aligning and assessing academic goals to meet the needs and promote the learning of special education students.  Facilitates collaboration between special and general education staff.  Provides services that are customer focused and based on district service plans.

 

Qualifications

  1. BA degree in the field of education.
  2. Four years of professional experience in K-12 education.
  3. Iowa instructional license.
  4. Experience in instructional design for special education students.

 

Essential Functions

  1. Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
  2. Serves as liaison among AEA, district building(s), families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
  3. Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
  4. Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
  5. Integrates research into the design of best practices.
  6. Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
  7. Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and GWAEA, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
  8. Provides leadership and support for special and general educators in designing and integrating research-based curriculum (content, instruction and assessment) to promote student learning.
  9. Engages and facilitates joint planning between special and general educators to design and implement curriculum based upon best practices in instruction, strategies, resources, methods and formative assessment to meet the needs of special education students.
  10. Assists in aligning instructional goals, materials and strategies for special education students related to the general education curriculum.
  11. Provides leadership and assistance with data analysis to inform decisions related to instruction, progress monitoring and assessment for special education students.
  12. Models and assists educators in the delivery of instruction and co-teaching for special education students.
  13. Conducts professional development related to curriculum, instruction and assessment for the purpose of improved student achievement.

Additional Responsibilities

  1. Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the Agency's mission, goals and priorities.
  2. Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
  3. Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
  4. Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
  5. Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
  6. Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  1. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.  
  2. Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
  3. Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
  4. Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
  5. Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
  6. Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
  7. Knowledge of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
  8. Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
  9. Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
  10. Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
  11. Effective coaching and consulting skills.
  12. Ability to demonstrate teaching practices, design and conduct on-going professional development activities.
  13. Ability to access resources (print, electronic, personnel).
  14. Effective collaborative problem solving skills.

 

Physical Requirements

  1. Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
  2. Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can't always be anticipated.

 

EOE/M-F-H-V