Director of Special Education

OUR MISSION

The BRICK Education Network (BEN) mission is to relentlessly knock down all barriers to students’ academic success. Our innovative model aligns an individualized excellent education with the necessary family supports to make sure each and every child can succeed. It’s our vision that each and every child will have an unimpeded path to unlocking their limitless potential.

To learn more about BRICK, please visit http://www.bricknewark.org

BRICK currently has schools in two regions: Newark, New Jersey, and Buffalo, New York.

The BRICK Buffalo Academy Charter School opened in August 2023 to a founding group of kindergarten and first grade students. As our school grows we are recruiting team members who are committed to proving what is possible for students and families on the East Side of Buffalo. As a member of the BRICK Buffalo Academy Charter School team, you will have the rare opportunity to play a critical role in building success for our students, families, and community.

To learn more about our Buffalo location, BRICK Buffalo, please visit https://brickeducation.org/buffalo-2/

Benefits

Joining the BRICK Education Network is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting entrepreneurial organization. BEN’s unique approach to transforming public education puts successful students and world-class schools at the center of vibrant communities. Powered by diverse leaders and a commitment to fighting the status quo, BRICK is building resilient, intelligent, creative kids by equipping them with a high-quality, nurturing education and thriving, engaged families to support their success from cradle to career.

Overview

The Director of Special Education (SPED) ensures that teachers are implementing high-quality instruction that is accessible for all classified scholars, that all students are receiving supports to meet their needs, and that we operate in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing special education. This is an ideal position for a teacher or social worker with a strong educational and clinical background who is a systems ­thinker. This position will have the opportunity to work directly with students while informally coaching and supporting staff to ensure our scholars reach their goals.

Essential Functions

• Ensures the academic and social emotional progress of all classified scholars to ensure they achieve their individual goals
• Ensures that the school is able to achieve its overall goals for its students with special needs, including the metrics for student persistence and student growth established by the SUNY Charter Schools Institute
• Advocates for special education students, their families, and the staff who serve them
• Collaborates with the Buffalo Public Schools Committee on Special Education to ensure that students with disabilities are appropriately identified, have effectively written IEPs, and receive the services in those IEPS in a high-quality way to ensure student success
• Ensures that all aspects of the school’s special education model are implemented effectively, including integrated collaborative teaching, direct and indirect SETSS, and the school’s resource room. Ensures the ongoing effective delivery of related services (such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling). Provides direct services to students when needed
• Partners with the school-based operations team to request records for all students who have individualized education plans
• Reviews the IEPs of all new students to ensure that they are based on quantitative present levels of performance, curriculum standards, and content and is relevant for each student
• Provides professional development for instructional staff to target instruction based on specific areas of need, including through the use of accommodations and modificationsProvides professional development for staff to ensure the success of the special education program, including sessions on compliance and co-teaching
• Recommends strategies to enhance special education performance on standardized tests
• Designs and implements the school’s intervention and referral process
• Facilitates the school’s Student Support Team meetings to ensure effective implementation of the school’s I&RS process
• Oversees compliance of all special education files
• Designs and implements an internal compliance audit process to ensure that the school remains in compliance with all local, state and federal guidelines for compliance
• Attends IEP meetings when necessary, including meetings with the BPS Committee on Special Education
• Promotes strong relationships with students who have special needs and their families, monitors ongoing communication to parents, and provides guidance in complex cases
• Maintains knowledge of federal, state and local special education regulations and engages in ongoing professional learning to understand any shifts in these expectations
• Maintains shared school-wide calendar of annual, triennial review, 30-day review, and initial eligibility / IEP meetings to monitor timeline compliance
• Provides quarterly reports to the Principal and Superintendent that describe the academic achievement of special education students, strengths in the implementation of the special education program, and suggested areas for growth.
• Works directly with students with special needs

Qualifications

• An unwavering commitment to the mission and vision of BRICK Buffalo
• An ability to demonstrate a leadership presence and to invest others in the mission and vision of BRICK Buffalo
• A commitment to servant leadership and the belief that their success is directly connected to the success of their students and staff
• A Masters Degree
• New York state certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities or School Social Worker
• At least 3 prior years of experience as a special education teacher or social worker
• A strong understanding of school and district level systems
• Strong supervisory and program development experience
• Outstanding critical thinking skills
• A commitment to high performance standards and unwavering belief that all students can excel
• Prior experience working successfully with the CSE of the Buffalo Public schools is strongly preferred.
• A commitment to high performance standards and unwavering belief that all students can excel
• An ability to meet all state and federal guidelines in order to be fully licensed and “Highly Qualified” according to ESSA
• Current authorization to work in the United States – A candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment
• A commitment to doing whatever it takes to ensure the success of their founding school

Salary, Goals and Employment Period

· Salary Range: Competitive compensation package, Based upon previous experience

· Employment Period: Twelve Months

· Fringe Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401 K

BRICK Education Network is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected category. BRICK promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.