Education Specialist

Earliest Start Date: July 1, 2012

About KIPP Bay Area Schools

In the San Francisco Bay Area, five KIPP middle schools and two KIPP high schools are closing the achievement gap between low-income students and their more advantaged peers. These innovative, tuition-free, college-preparatory schools are located in the underserved neighborhoods of Bayview Hunters Point and the Western Addition in San Francisco, East San Jose, San Lorenzo, and West Oakland. KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 109 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 32,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are enrolling in college at a rate of more than 85 percent, which is double the rate of community averages.

Position Overview

At KIPP Bay Area Schools, the Education Specialist is considered an integral part of the general education staff, therefore, they will be expected to collaborate and consult with all teachers on a regular basis. Students on Individual Education Plans are assigned to general education classrooms for a majority of the school day.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to;

Individual Education Program process

·  Responsible for academic progress of students while working with staff and families to provide excellent educational opportunities for exceptional students.

·  Appraise academic, behavioral, and perceptional functioning of an individual student.

·  Provide a standards-based curriculum program for special education students consistent with state and federal education code requirements.

·  Administer formal and informal academic assessments.

·  Analyze assessment results to drive and inform instruction and Individual Education Plans development.

·  Develop Individual Education Plans in accordance with federal, state and district standards.

·  Facilitate Individual Education Plans meetings.

·  Ensure Individual Education Plans compliance and that all timelines are met.

·  Implement and monitor students’ Individual Education Plans.

·  Ensure student achievement and progress towards Individual Education Plans goals.

·  Complete progress reports in accordance with KIPP Bay Area Schools and school specific guidelines.


Training/Consultation

·  Recommend to classroom teacher, support staff, parents and other KIPP personnel appropriate diagnostic/instructional services for individuals with exceptional needs.

·  Provide consultative, resource, and supervisory services in program and curriculum planning, research, and program evaluation for special projects involving students with exceptional needs within the school.

·  Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to support exceptional students in general education classes, interpreting the abilities and disabilities of these students to the entire staff, and assisting the student’s core curriculum instructional needs.

·  Manage compliance of accommodations and modifications for exceptional students in the general education classroom.

·  Develop and implement student appropriate behavior management techniques for students with special needs.

·  Assist other staff members in resolving the unique psychological and/or disciplinary concerns of such students.

·  Develop specialized professional development programs for school and community personnel.

·  Develop parent education programs and individual or group counseling to assist parents in the prevention, understanding, and remediation of exceptional needs when appropriate.

·  Manage the development of 504 plans.

·  Assist with the development of SST plans.

Interpersonal and Agency Relations / Communications

·  Confer frequently with parents (or guardians), staff members and members of related disciplines, including outside agencies regarding the educational, social, and personal concerns of exceptional students.

·  Manage relationships with contracted agencies to ensure students receive all prescribed Individual Education Plan services.

·  With the Director of Special Education, assist in referral of students with exceptional needs to available community agencies, as appropriate.

·  Coordinate and supervise transition programs and services for exceptional students as required by their Individual Education Plans

·  Keep attendance records, computerized Individual Education Plans records and all other records pertinent to the special education program for the state reports and program accountability.

·  Participate in KIPP Bay Area Schools’ Special Education Community of Practice for maintenance of standards and evaluation of special education services.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

·  Valid California Credential or license authorizing service in grade levels and areas assigned as an Education Specialist;

·  Bachelor’s degree, including all courses to meet credential requirements;

·  Two years of successful, full time teaching experience in Special Education, preferred;

·  Possession of either BCLAD or CLAD certification is highly desirable;

·  Demonstrated success teaching students from educationally under-served areas

·  Excellent organizational, planning, and implementation skills;

·  Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment;

·  Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies;

·  Detail-oriented team player willing to roll up sleeves and get the job done;

·  Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP Bay Area Schools and our students.

Salary & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, depending on experience and qualifications.

To Apply

Please send your resume and a detailed cover letter demonstrating your interest in working for KIPP Bay Area Schools and your unique qualifications for the position, to @kippbayarea.org with “ES” in the subject line. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

KIPP Bay Area Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.