Education Specialist

Description

Education Specialist Bilingual (Sp/Eng) - Certificated 

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  is responsible for the  success of students in the primary academic areas (reading, writing, language, and/or math, etc) through implementing Voices approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes; modeling the necessary skills to perform assignments; providing a safe and optimal learning environment and providing feedback to students, classroom teachers, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goal, etc.  The Educational Specialist will have the responsibility, in consultation with administration, to design and implement curriculum, develop school-wide instructional strategies, and administer assessments in an effort to best fit the needs of the school's target students. The SPED teacher will be responsible for managing the IEP caseload for students. To achieve our goals, the Education Specialist  will implement various instructional strategies and curricula in the following environments: Core classes,Intervention classes, Small group and one-on-one student pull out.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching: 

• Provides educational instruction as outlined in the IEP for identified individuals with exceptional needs and monitors the implementation of the IEP
• Provides leadership for ensuring full compliance with legal requirements as prescribed by  federal law under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act 1997) and IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act, 2004) and State of California Education Code
• Uses the school's data analysis tools to drive instructional practices, re-teaching strategies, and interventions
• Responds to student data on a weekly, quarterly, and yearly basis based on student need
• Provides accommodations and/or modifications to learners with disabilities for assignments and testing as determined by the IEP team 
• Instruct students for the purpose of improving their success in assigned basic academic subject areas of reading, writing and/or math, etc.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment, developing behavior support plans as needed
• Plan learning activities appropriate to subject(s), grade level(s), abilities, and cultural background of individual students
• Create an atmosphere through personal example and efficacious relationships with students which inspire academic achievement and an enthusiasm for learning
• Organize classroom systems/procedures/routines and manage student behavior to ensure students are fully engage in learning 
• Establish a culture of high expectations and college preparation for all students 
• 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
• Motivate pupils to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for elementary education 
• Challenge and accelerate ALL students, no matter at what level they enter the classroom  
• Develop and evaluate independent study programs  

Assessing: 

• Provides ongoing educational assessments and diagnosis of children for the purpose of identifying special learning problems and coordinates the development of individual instructional plans as appropriate for students identified  with special needs 
• Evaluates students' abilities in basic academics for the purpose of assisting other  personnel in the diagnosis of learning disorders, development of remediation plans and/or student progress

• Administers standardized achievement tests, interprets results to determine  learners' strengths and areas of need for initial, annual and triennial assessments
• Drafts and writes professional and compliant IEP's, as well as finalize the data in SEIS (affirm all IEP'S)
• Establish procedures to process and place eligible students: develop screening programs in areas of academics and behavior; use data to determine eligibility for special education services; and provide research-based instruction and interventions of increasing intensity of supports to benefit all students
• Coordinates referral and assessment procedures and facilitates the coordination of IEP team meetings and the implementation of special education services (Speech, Occupational Therapy, etc.)

Collaboration: 

• Work cooperatively with staff and parents toward resolution of mutual concerns
• Participate in daily grade-level meetings and professional development
• Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of lessons, units, and programs  
• Identify unique student needs and collaborates with other team members and outside service providers to diagnose and address learning challenges 
• Participates in various meetings (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
• Collaborate with parents as educational partners and provides ability awareness as needed
• Coordinates special education services with regular school program for each individual with exceptional needs and monitors the implementation of the IEP

 Professional Activities: 

• Actively participate in professional development activities, including retreats 
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Voices mission, vision, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior and teacher compact
• Motivate and organize parent involvement and foster strong school morale and academic achievement 
• Provide students and their families with regular and timely information. Participate in parent conferences and provide regular progress reports as required
• Identify student needs and cooperate with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems
• Represent the school and program to local and State groups as assigned maintaining a positive and professional image; interact with outside agencies as necessary
• Maintain and prepare reports and records regarding student matters as directed
• Mentor and co-plan with Associate Teacher; keeping him/her informed of weekly plans and goals and evaluating Associate Teacher 
• Keep anecdotal records about student behavior and progress for use when generating IEPs and in conferences with parents  
• Prepares local, state and federal reports, or other documents as may be required for the purpose of disseminating information to appropriate parties
• Other duties as assigned

Voices Academies Education Specialist Teacher candidates will have the following

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• CA Education Education Specialist Credential (Mild to Moderate) or eligible for emergency permit
• Valid bilingual authorization (BCLAD or equivalent , BCC, ELD, or LDS, etc.)
• Knowledge of subject matter, including California Common Core Standards
• 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: $60,280 - $88,803 DOE
• Eligible for $10,000 annual stipend   $5,000 signing bonus bonuses and 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

If you have any questions about this position, please contact our hiring team by email at jobs@voicescharterschool.com.  Thank you. 

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.

Qualifications

Salary : $60,280 - $88,803