Special Education Coordinator

Williamsburg Charter High School (WCHS) first opened its doors in August 2004 as the first Chancellor-authorized charter high school in New York City. Now in its twenty-first year. Our mission is to bring together students, families, educators, and the community to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the world. Through a rigorous liberal arts education—including language, literature, writing, science, history, mathematics, the arts, technology, and career and technical education (CTE)—our students develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills. WCHS fosters a culture of fairness, justice, respect, and compassion, challenging each student to reach their full potential.

$80,000 - $100,000

• Enjoy working in a highly collaborative, professional setting as well as independently.

• Are sensitive to the unique needs of the community they serve as well as the complex issues that are present for urban youth and their families.

• Engage a youth development approach in their interactions with young people by being sensitive to the developmental needs of individual students.  

• Have sophisticated knowledge about content-area knowledge as well as curriculum design and instructional best practices.  

• Are passionate and positive about their disciplines and their students. 

• Take full responsibility for students’ achievement.

• Act as professional role models for students. 

• Are reflective and willing to improve upon their practice through professional development and support.

• Manage time, resources, and technology effectively to ensure that they can complete all required responsibilities.

• Use objective data as well as anecdotal information to gauge student performance and inform changes that may be necessary to the instructional program.  

• Strive to connect academic content to the world outside of the classroom.

• See their work as a career and a lifestyle, not just as a job.  They should be willing to take time before and after school to complete their responsibilities such as lesson planning, supporting struggling students, and meeting with teachers and counselors.    

• Believe deeply in the transformative power of education for all students, families, and educators.

The Coordinator of Special Needs and Academic Support is required to:

• Direct and manage the Special Education and intervention program for  WCHS .

• Work with students, teachers and staff directly as a 12-month employee as per the calendar and for Professional Development days spread throughout the school year

• Teach up to two sections of SPED classes  at WCHS.

• Participate in all assemblies, meetings, and professional development activities offered at the school.

• Participate in focus groups, evaluations, and committees as requested to assist with the constant improvement of the school as a whole.  

• Share expertise and curriculum with other educators within the Believe School network.

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the WCHS Student Handbook, Teacher Handbook, Personnel Policies, and Instructional Manual.  

• Read all communications from the WCHS School faculty and staff (including supervisors and other teachers) and respond as needed or required in a timely manner.  
  

The Coordinator of Special Needs and Academic Support is also required to:

• Attend to Compliance with the NYC Department of Education’s policies and procedures for Students with Disabilities.

• Communicate regularly with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) regarding IEP reviews, triennial evaluations, program recommendations, related services, and compliance issues.

• Be knowledgeable of the policies and procedures governing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and conduct annual IEP reviews in cooperation with the CSE.

• Notify and communicate with parents regarding student participation and progress in SETSS and other Special Education services, through phone calls, mailings, and parent meetings.

• Disseminate information about the recommendations, goals, and accommodations stipulated in students’ IEPs to classroom teachers, related service providers, and guidance staff.

• Monitor progress of students receiving Special Education services, through grade monitoring, classroom visits, teacher and service provider progress reports, and communication with parents. 

• Guide Integrated Co-Teaching staff and SETSS teaching staff in best practices of collaborative teaching and pull-out instruction through classroom observations, professional development, mentoring.

• Collaborate with teaching staff to guide planning for differentiated instruction and provision of accommodations for classroom activities and assessments.  

• Receive and evaluate recommendations for new referrals to Special Education and or intervention services. 

• Lead the SNAS and ENL Department.

• Any other duties that are necessary to achieve the mission of the WCHS.