12:1:1 Special Populations Director (Immediate)

12:1:1 Special Populations Director, Brooklyn, NY

In-Person Work Required

This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime

WHO WE ARE
Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing nearly 2,000 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned curriculum and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions to nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees. 

WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

WHO YOU ARE
Explore Schools seeks an experienced education professional who is dedicated to serving special populations to lead as a Special Populations Director for our 12:1:1 Program. You have experience teaching and managing special education programming for kindergarten through 8th grade, managing and  coordinating services in support of all learners, and leading a team to meet the needs of all learners. You are committed to student success and adept at fostering collaboration between internal and external service providers. You have a track record of success when it comes to relationship-building and communicating sensitive and direct information. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• A proven record of inspiring growth amongst special populations students taught
• Flexible: willingness to provide support as needed, and ability to provide strategic solutions when faced with changes
• Exceptional communication skills: you effectively share information in a direct and sensitive way
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Direct experience with both elementary and middle school, required
• Bachelor’s degree; required, master's in education; preferred
• At least three years of experience teaching special populations; required
• Two years of service coordination or three years of management; required
• Experience leading a team of educators and/or coaching teachers; required

WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Special Populations Director for 12:1:1 Programs is responsible for the coordination and support of services for all students in our 12:1:1 programs. You will manage the 12:1:1 program at two different schools, supporting students across the K-8 program in 2 different buildings. You will be assigned days to work at each school and also work flexibly when something arises in the moment. The SPL will be the primary liaison with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) for students in 12:1:1 and will work closely with other Special Populations Leaders to ensure provision of all services. Additionally, the SPL will be responsible for leading and coordinating the instructional vision for 12:1:1 classes, including curriculum implementation, data analysis and response, and teacher development and coaching.  The SPL will directly supervise teachers and teaching assistants providing services to students directly. You will be expected to manage the following daily:

• Maintain compliance for all students with 12:1:1 Placements: 
• Manage and support the provision of all services for students, including mandated services, compliance timelines, billing, etc.
• Create strategic service and class schedules ensuring that the school is in compliance with all mandates while maximizing learning time
• Coordinate progress monitoring and reporting 
• Coordinate all required family communication and create best practices around family engagement for the families of the school’s special populations
• Ensure high-quality Special Education documents, including IEPs and referrals for Special Education Services
• Coordinating with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) in the following ways:
• Planning and participating in meetings (e.g., initial evaluations, IEP annual reviews, triennials, MDRs, etc.)
• Coordinating related services
• Advocating for student needs in partnership with families
• Implement and maintain high level instructional support to meet the needs of all learners: 
• Ensure students in 12:1:1 receive high quality instruction aligned to the network vision for the program 
• Create and maintain structures aligned to the shared vision for assessments and data analysis 
• Facilitate meetings and trainings to increase teacher capacity aligned to the vision 
• Coordinate and lead all 12:1:1 curriculum and instruction
• Track, monitor, and respond to instructional data 
• Develop teachers:
• Serve as the school team expert on 12:1:1
• Coach special populations teachers and teaching assistants, aligned to Leadership Team Structures
• Provide professional development for special populations programming and initiatives
• Manage related service providers and para-professionals 
• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversations in order to dismantle white supremacy culture 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more. 

• The salary range for incoming Special Populations Director is $100,000 - $125,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting.
• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity. 
• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges, and this is the range for incoming staff members only. 
• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees. 

Additionally, you can expect:  

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more!
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities 
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment  
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning  
• Our school-based staff also receive:  

• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals  
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition 
• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days a week when possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week. 

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position: 

• In-person work is required 
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime. 
• The standard work week is 45 hours, though at times you may work more.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.  
• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let or Tiffany Williams  know immediately.