Curriculum and Instruction Specialist - Education Services

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Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Develops expertise in iHOPE’s curriculum, working with educational leadership to create a structure with units and model lesson plans, planning and creating adaptations for lessons and recommending necessary materials.
• Collaborates with Directors of Education to improve and adapt curriculum and lesson plans for each division of the school, which may include participating in development and implementation of optimal and functional curriculums that account for each student’s individualized needs including vision, hearing, motor and speech abilities.
• Assists with the identification and coordination of activities and community outings related to specialized curriculums.
• Facilitates and/or works directly with teachers in whole group, smaller planning groups and individually to train and assist with instruction and lesson planning, providing regular feedback and coaching to support implementation of successful teaching methods and conducts observations of teachers in classrooms to assess effectiveness of curriculum and instruction.
• Participates in co-teaching with teachers within assigned classrooms, modeling instructional methods and appropriate use of the various lessons within whole group, individualized and/or adapted lessons for specific students.
• Provides training for each related service department at iHOPE to provide information on curriculum, lesson plans, instruction and adaptations and to provide or elicit ideas regarding how the service can better support teachers and students within their sessions.
• Supports classroom teachers with development and writing of educational goals and all applicable reports for students, reviewing education stand-alone assessments and education sections of progress reports and IEPs to ensure appropriate information is included and updates are made when needed.
• Develops and maintains familiarity with students schoolwide, regularly engaging with students and student teams to inform hearing-related activities.
• Serves as point person for all hearing-related activities, regularly tracking and reviewing court cases and relevant hearings and coordinating the scheduling and assignment of hearings to applicable school witnesses in collaboration with Principal to ensure coverage and appropriate participation, escalating concerns or issues on a regular basis.
• Coordinates with student teams in preparation for upcoming hearings, collecting information and conducting observations of students throughout their program to support testimony, affidavits, etc.
• Drafts affidavits for hearings using information from student teams, observations and other documentation, ensuring appropriate and complete information to support cases.
• Serves as primary school witness for hearings, collaborating with student attorneys and representing iHOPE by providing live, direct testimony during hearings and participating in cross examinations.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Master’s degree in Education and current certification and registration as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (grades B-2, 1-6, 7-12 and/or All Grades) or Permanent Special Education Certification, issued by the New York State Education Department; or
• Valid license and current registration in a related services profession, such as Occupational or Physical Therapy, Speech Language Pathology or Social Work issued by the NYS Department of Education (NYSED); and
• Five (5) years of experience in special education including classroom teaching and/or providing related services to students with complex physical, medical and communication needs between the ages of 5 – 21 years, which must include at least two (2) years of experience with iHOPE.
• Solid understanding of iHOPE policies and procedures, operations and educational and related services programming.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation/training skills, including the ability to effectively communicate and collect information from a variety of stakeholders, including student attorneys, families and iHOPE staff at varying levels.
• Exceptional interpersonal, planning and problem-solving skills, including the ability to build collaborative relationships across the school and with external partners and to appropriately escalate concerns or seek assistance with complex matters.
• Ability to effectively engage, coach and support teachers through hands-on support, including during classroom instruction.
• Ability to work independently, using sound judgment to prepare, present and articulate student cases, remaining calm and composed during hearings and cross examinations.
• Well organized with superior attention to detail and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and tasks to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with computers and ability to use common office equipment and various electronic systems and files to enter, locate, upload and record information or documents including, but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook and Excel), Salesforce and/or shared drives, Intranet, etc.
• Ability to report on-site to school on a regular basis.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including the ability to sit for extended periods, lift and carry files or documents weighing up to 10 pounds and move around the school to engage with and observe teachers and students.

Preferred Qualification Requirements ( desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Proven experience as a curriculum and instruction expert for students with severe and multiple disabilities, including incorporation of AT and AAC
• Experience as a classroom teacher in Special Education

Compensation: $95,000-$105,000

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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