Early Childhood Special Education - Instructional Specialist

Job Description:

The Early Childhood Special Education Instructional Specialist provides leadership, professional learning, and coaching support to build the capacity of all Early Childhood Special Education teachers and supports staff to effectively provide the highest quality education possible for the youngest learners. Under general supervision, the specialist performs a variety of professional work to assist in the coordination and implementation of early childhood initiatives to support student success and kindergarten readiness. This is an 11-month, Licensed position with the ACPS Specialized Instruction Team.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Master's degree preferred.

• Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education license required, or eligibility to obtain one. Pre-K CLASS Observer Certification required or certification completion within 65 days of hire.

• Experience:

• A minimum of three to five years of recent and successful early childhood special education teaching experience.
• Knowledge of current research in instructional coaching, curriculum trends in instruction, teacher effectiveness, differentiated instruction, student learning, and best practices in early childhood, curriculum development, and adult learning theory.
• Knowledge and experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with teachers, administrators, and families.
• Knowledge of a variety of early childhood assessments and familiarity with state assessments.
• Knowledge and experience developing IEPs for students with a variety of disabilities and needs

Essential Functions:

• Assists in implementing and assessing the preschool curriculum and other instructional programs as aligned with the Virginia Department of Education Early Learning and Development Standards.

• Strengthens teachers' instructional knowledge and repertoire of pedagogical strategies and is responsible for ongoing coaching, supporting, and guiding teachers in evidence-based early childhood special education practices.

• Collaborates with teachers, both individually and in small groups, to analyze student work, reflect on instructional delivery, evaluate lessons and differentiate instruction accordingly.

• Provides timely clear and direct oral and written feedback to teachers based on analysis of practice and models research-based instructional approaches to support teacher's growth and development.

• Organizes and facilitates, in a collaborative manner, professional development to promote best practices in teacher-student interactions, instruction, and assessment.

• Assists with planning and conducting local CLASS observations and teacher feedback as part of the Virginia Preschool Initiative requirements.

• Monitors student assessment results and assists administrative and instructional staff in analyzing and interpreting data and designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to improve student achievement and kindergarten readiness.

• Facilitates the implementation of high-quality early literacy initiatives and activities to support and improve social-emotional and early academic outcomes.

• Facilitates collaboration and coordination among early childhood special education programs and supports the transition from early childhood special education programs to school programs, which may include summer learning, Preview to Pre-K and Step-Up to Kindergarten in collaboration with teachers, administrators, families, and community stakeholders.

• Devises and maintains records and reports necessary for the execution of the job.

• Performs other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

• Collaborates with related service providers and outside agencies as needed to develop student protocols/goals.

• Assists in writing and implementing FBAs and BIPs with school teams.

• Assist the coordinator in leading the PreK-K matriculation process.

Salary:

• Step Placement and Salary for this position is deteremined by The ACPS Teachers and Other Licensed Staff Salary Scale

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP