POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of
the Instructional Supervisor of Special Education Programs, the Instructional
Specialist - Special Education Significant Cognitive Disabilities will
be responsible for developing and monitoring the implementation of special
education instructional programs for students with significant cognitive
disabilities and autism with accompanying cognitive disabilities.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Leads the development and monitoring of implementation of the
special education instructional program for students with significant cognitive
disabilities to address local and state mandates by participating in data
review and providing direct support to school staff on issues that impact
students with significant cognitive disabilities and/or autism with
accompanying cognitive disabilities in both comprehensive and regional schools;
Leads in the development and delivery of school-level workshops
on all instructional and compliance issues, IEP development, adaptations, modifications
and accommodations and behavior management in collaboration with the Special
Education Office for students with significant cognitive disabilities and/or
autism with accompanying cognitive disabilities;
Leads in collaboration with other central offices, the delivery
of staff development and implementation of State alternate assessments for
students with significant cognitive disabilities;
Reviews Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and records of
students to assist in the referral process of students with significant
cognitive disabilities to determine appropriate educational services and/or
placement;
Provides consultative and collaborative support to central
office and school teams in addressing parent concerns for students with
significant cognitive disabilities;
Interprets and articulates special education regulations,
policies and procedures to principals, teachers, and other school staff and
parents to ensure compliance with federal and state mandates;
Keeps abreast of the latest research, best practices,
developments, and techniques in the delivery of special education instruction
for students with significant cognitive disabilities and/or autism;
Collaborates with area offices, school administrators,
specialists, school staff and special education personnel in monitoring and
evaluating implementation of the instructional program, including transition
services;
Assists school teams directly with aligning classroom
strategies, county curriculum framework for students with significant cognitive
disabilities aligned to Maryland College and Career Ready Standards,
communication needs for limited or non-verbal students, Universal Design for
Learning and real world application, as appropriate; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Broad knowledge of
curriculum, current educational principles, best practices, staff trainings,
instruction and assessing program needs for students with autism and/or significant
cognitive disabilities
Thorough understanding of
special education regulations, policies and procedures;
Effective organization and
human relations skills; and
Excellent verbal and
written communication skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master's
degree from an accredited institution in educational and/or special education;
and five (5) years of successful
teaching experience in special education for students with significant
cognitive disabilities and/or autism with accompanying cognitive disabilities
with a strong special education instruction and compliance background.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Advanced Professional
Certificate or working toward such certification in specified period of time;
Admin I required; Certification in Special Education or dual certification in
General and Special Education, or any equivalent combination of experience and
training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.