The job of Secondary SPED Teacher Leader is done for the purpose/s of providing mentoring and training of special education staff in order to increase content knowledge, design and improve individual instruction, and to comply with applicable laws and procedures. The job involves performing all essential functions designed to ensure that eligible students with disabilities" receive FAPE that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the child's individual needs and that prepare the child for further education, employment, and independent living" (IDEA, 2004).The three main functions of this position are: Teacher (T), Compliance Mentor (CM), and District Liaison (DL).

This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics: This position requires a current SPED license and a proven track record of success and competency in SPED Instruction, Compliance, and Mentoring. This position also requires working additional days beyond traditional contract.
This job reports to Building Principal and Director of Special Education

Essential Functions

(CM) Facilitates the coordination of a continuum of services at the school level for the purpose of ensuring FAPE for students with disabilities and compliance with Federal, State and Local laws, policies and procedures.

(CM) Mentors case managers and related servers on appropriate documentation (e.g. IEPs, SCRAM, District/State/Federal reports, Student Progress Reports, Correspondence, Medicaid, etc.) for the purpose of compliance with applicable laws and procedures.

(DL) Assists building administration with personnel management, evaluation of assigned personnel, and coordination of service providers (e.g. paras, teachers, related servers, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate staff to serve students with disabilities according to their IEPs.

(DL) Implements District and SPED Department Initiatives for the purpose of providing appropriate special education and related services to students with disabilities, and to support district-wide improvement efforts.

(DL) Manages and accounts for allotted Special Education budget for the purpose of ensuring the funds are expended appropriately and in compliance with Federal, State and District legal requirements.

(DL) Mentors Special Education staff on various procedures (e.g. IEPs, transition plans, BIPs, course codes, graduation requirements, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that Special Education staff advocate for students with disabilities and comply with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

(DL) Participates in a variety of assigned meetings (e.g. at-risk/student success meetings, facilitator trainings, transition plans, compliance, IDEA trainings, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining current knowledge of best practices of effective instruction, compliance, and to advocate for students with disabilities.

(T) Attends work regularly to fulfill duties specific to the assignment for the purpose of providing quality educational experiences and continuity for assigned students, parents, and the overall school community.

(T) Collaborates with teachers, related servers, parents, and administrators for the purpose of addressing instructional and/or classroom issues.

(T) Collects records and analyzes a wide variety of data (e.g. assessment scores, formative data, observations, etc.) for the purpose of improving instructional decision-making and to assist with IEP development and progress reporting.

(T) Fulfills duties as a case manager (e.g. advocates for student success, ensures the use of student data in eligibility and IEP development and subsequent IEP meetings; maintains positive and consistent communication with parents and school personnel; conducts child find, and maintains IDEA compliant paperwork, etc.) for the purpose of meeting the needs of students eligible for Special Education services.

(T) Provides specially designed instruction as a Special Education Teacher 1-2 periods per day to students with disabilities for the purpose of meeting IEP goals, services, and transition plans.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.