Special Education Engagement Specialist

Division: Instructional Services

Position Type:

10 Month

Work Hours: M-F

(Job Grade: 17)

Summary:

The engagement specialist will provide ongoing coaching and support to classrooms (special ed. and general ed.) and staff that are implementing structured teaching practices for students. This position will provide skilled training to educational staff in evidence-based, antecedent interventions and structures to increase active engagement for students. The engagement specialist will support educators in developing and implementing interventions and supports to allow students to maximize their access to the general education curriculum and least restrictive setting. The engagement specialist uses high levels of expertise to coach and support educators in a proactive approach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ability to assist staff with identifying antecedent interventions for students based on unique learning styles and behavior.
• Provide ongoing support to classrooms implementing Structured TEACCHing.
• Ability to assist staff with increasing active engagement strategies for students using evidence-based strategies.
• Ability to coach staff in the application of positive behavior problem-solving approaches
• Ability to coach staff in differentiating instructional routines to increase active learning.
• Knowledge and experience using an instructional coaching process with other teachers, leadership teams and administration.
• Ability to collaborate well with people; demonstrate and maintain productive and positive interpersonal skills.
• Must remain knowledgeable about current and past research in evidence-based practices.
• Ability to support staff in developing and utilizing data collection tools to assess student growth.
• Ability to support staff in accommodating and/or modifying the general education curriculum.
• Ability to develop instructional tools and tasks that align with Common Core State Standards
• Ability to manage multiple projects effectively.
• Ability to manage time and schedules flexibly in a way that maximizes teacher learning.
• Ability to collaborate with teams to develop goals for improving student achievement.
• Demonstrated teacher leadership skills.
• Facilitates school-based professional development by collaborating with teachers and staff in teams or individually to refine their knowledge and skills (e.g., in-class coaching, observing, modeling of instructional strategies, developing lesson plans with teachers, supporting data analysis, etc.)
• Build and maintain confidential relationships with teachers.
• Regular and consistent attendance
• Other duties as assigned.

Roles of the Engagement Specialist

Classroom Supporter:

Increase the quality and effectiveness of classroom instruction. Assist with planning lessons with teachers, observe classroom instruction and student response to instruction, model lessons, co-teach, and engage in data-based debriefs with teachers, including analyzing student work. Provide instructional recommendations through feedback. Develop coaching plans and schedule follow-up sessions to support the actualization of instructional recommendations.

Instructional Specialist:

Align instruction with curriculum to meet the needs of all students. Assist teachers to use formative assessment data to guide instructional planning, recommend instructional strategies appropriate for learner needs, and differentiate instruction.

Learning Facilitator:

Design collaborative, job-embedded, standards-based professional learning. Plan, deliver, follow up, and assess professional development at the school, promoting specialized instructional practices based on research. Develop teachers’ knowledge and skills in differentiation for multiple learners. Assess teachers to determine instructional needs in assigned areas.

Data Coach:

Ensure that student achievement data drives instructional decisions at the classroom and school level. Assist the principal/leadership team to disaggregate student performance data (formative and summative) and assess instructional needs of individual students and school training needs. Guide data discussions with teachers and facilitate the examination of student work. Plan with teachers for focused instruction based on data.

Learner:

Model continuous learning, to keep current, and to be a thought-leader in the school. Participate in personal professional development including TEACCH, book studies, and action research.

Must have knowledge of and comply with the policies and procedures contained in the Kalamazoo RESA handbook.

Education and/or Experience:

• Master’s degree in Education or related field
• Valid Michigan teaching certificate (required)
• Minimum 5 years exceptional teaching experience with not less than five years in special education program

Certificates, License, Registration:

Michigan K-12 Certificate; Special Education Endorsement in Autism (preferred)

Other Skill & Abilities:

• Embraces and supports KRESA philosophies related to diversity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals from a wide range of cultures
• Ability to discuss cultural differences with colleagues and clients
• Ability to assess one's own strengths and limitations or challenges and integrate this understanding into interpersonal interactions
• Demonstrated successful use of data to monitor learning
• Training in specific evidence-based practices such as structured teaching strategies that support students with autism
• Demonstrated success as a flexible, collaborative team player skillful in using assessment data to inform instructional strategies so that students are successful
• Demonstrated success in providing differentiated instruction
• Demonstrated successful communication skills with a variety of groups
• Effectively present information in front of groups and engage in audience
• Effectively model and coach the use of strategies for teacher/staff
• Ability to communicate effectively, including listening
• Ability to use a computer and applicable software
• Ability to problem solve
• Maintains confidentiality
• Displays willingness to support and make decisions with sound judgement in timely manner
• Adapts to frequent changes in the work environment
• Practices safe work habits
• Ability to travel to sites within Kalamazoo County
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Works in a team-oriented fashion
• Ability to efficiently use computer and applicable software
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret data
• Effectively present information in front of groups and engage in audience
• Adapts to frequent changes in the work environment
• Uses equipment and material properly

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to reach with arms and hands, stand walk and sit. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the district.

Notice of Non-discrimination: It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following position at Kalamazoo RESA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Executive Director of Human Resources. Contact information: 269-250-9200, 1819 E. Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49002.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,266.00 - $95,038.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• teaching: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Teaching Certification (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Portage, MI 49002: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person