Job Description:

The Coordinator of Early Childhood Special Education provides leadership for the ACPS Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs. This position supports the Office of Specialized Instruction vision for ECSE programming and facilitates the learning needs of all preschool aged students receiving special education services in the city of Alexandria. Additionally, the coordinator works to foster collaboration and promote the division’s philosophy of inclusive early childhood education. This position also supports collaboration between the ACPS Office of Specialized Instruction and the Alexandria Early Childhood Community. This position is 12 months.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s Degree in Education

• Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education license required, or eligibility to obtain one, with endorsements in Early Childhood Special Education and Administration and Supervision PK-12 required.

• Experience:
• Five years teaching in early childhood special education programs required.
• Two years of administrative experience preferred.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated competencies in the principles and practices of early childhood curriculum development and individualized instruction.

• Demonstrated ability to apply the theories of learning to instructional practices.

• Demonstrated leadership qualities and strong interpersonal skills, including providing and receiving constructive feedback.

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues to create and nurture a professional community of adult learners.

• Demonstrated understanding of special education procedures and policies.

• Demonstrated leadership and personal qualities necessary to work effectively with teachers, administrators, community early childhood leaders, and the public.

• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of colleagues, parents, families, and community members.

Essential Functions:

• Manages the Early Childhood Special Education program, including: ECSE Community Resource Services, ECSE Class-based program, Preschoolers Learning Together (PLT) program.

• Responsible for all VDOE State Performance Plan Early Childhood Indicator reporting (Indicators 6 and 7).

• Supports IEP meetings for ECSE students in community based placements or others as needed.

• Supervises ACPS ECSE teachers and paraprofessionals providing services in community preschool settings.

• Collaborates with the ACPS community preschool partners.

• Collaborates with school principals to recruit, hire, and retain ECSE teachers.

• Develops relevant professional learning opportunities for ECSE staff.

• Monitors implementation of Early Childhood (EC) and ECSE best instructional practices and appropriate learning environments.

• Provides coaching and modeling to ECSE teachers related to planning, teaching, assessing, and adjusting learning opportunities to meet needs of EC students with disabilities.

• Researches and disseminates information related to best practices in ECSE to teachers and staff.

• Supervises, observes, provides feedback and monitors professional growth of ECSE community resource staff.

• Assesses classroom and program needs to assist in planning and purchase of instructional materials.

• Serves as ACPS ECSE representative to various community forums, regional meetings and VDOE sponsored events.

Clearances:

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

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP