Special Populations Coordinator (immediate opening) 2024-2025

About Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts is a 6-12th grade, tuition-free public charter school for students in Fort Worth, Texas.

Our mission is to provide a safe, challenging learning environment that cultivates our students’ academic and artistic excellence.

We exist to ensure that all students are provided with equitable opportunities to Learn In The Arts and Learn Through The Arts .

Start Date : ASAP

Type : Full-time position. Work hours are generally 8 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm. Flexibility in the work schedule is expected due to the nature of working in a start-up environment.

Candidates should have the flexibility to travel and work in the evenings, as needed. The schedule will be adjusted to accommodate after-hours assignments.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Superintendent / Principal, the Special Populations Coordinator is a school-based leadership role that leads the overall administration of programs for special populations of students (Special Education, Emergent Bilingual, Gifted and Talented, Section 504, Dyslexia, and At-Risk).

Responsibilities include :

Program Management and Instructional Leadership

• Coordinate and oversee programs and services for all special populations of students to meet student needs; including Special Education, Emergent Bilingual (English Learners), Section 504, Gifted and Talented, Dyslexia, and At-Risk.
• Provide leadership and coordination with campus personnel related to the multi-tiered system of supports, the team, student success team, ARD and LPAC committees, and the other academic teams as required to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students according to required policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and collaborate with APVA staff, outside personnel, and outside organizations to provide educational services to special populations of students.
• Work with the Instructional Leadership Team and other designated staff to conduct ARD, 504, and LPAC meetings, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and local requirements.
• Oversee the campus-initiated referral process; arrange for student assessments and evaluations; make recommendations regarding placement and program management for individual students.
• Respond to parent requests for special education evaluations according to federal, state, and local rules.
• Respond to special program inquiries from parents and staff.
• Work cooperatively with staff to modify curricula as needed to ensure that special populations of students are provided with differentiation and scaffolded instructional strategies and educational supports as required.

Student Performance Management

• As a member of the Instructional Leadership Team, systematically use a variety of data, including disaggregated data on subgroups of students to monitor student academic performance, review of the efficacy of programs, and continuously monitor progress toward meeting annual goals.
• Consult with parents, administrators, counselors, teachers, community agencies, and other relevant individuals regarding SPED, EB, Section 504, Dyslexia, Gifted and Talented program, services, and student performance and progress.
• Oversee all progress monitoring and reporting for all special population students.
• Provide insights on documented trends and hurdles to meet stated annual goals, and collaborate with administration, the instructional leadership team, educators, and staff to identify possible solutions.

Professional Development

• Develop, conduct, or arrange for staff development sessions for school personnel in the identification and understanding of special populations of students and students with disabilities.
• Develop and conduct or arrange for staff development sessions, including sessions on delivery of instruction, development of standards-based individual educational plans, enriched learning in classroom settings, special education processes, and statewide assessment.
• Assist classroom teachers with the implementation of all special population plans.
• Collaborate with the Instructional Leadership Team on the audit of unit and lesson plans, accelerated learning plans, reteach plans, IEPs, 504s, and student performance data on a weekly basis to inform coaching and support.
• Provide leadership to the instruction staff on the improvement of teaching and learning through professional learning, embedded professional development, daily observations, growth-oriented coaching and feedback, and evaluations.

Human Resources Administration, Compliance and Risk Management

• Provide leadership, coaching, and growth-oriented support to the Special Education, Gifted and Talented, and Emergent Bilingual Teachers, Literacy Specialists, Math Specialists, and Aides.
• Conduct performance evaluations for special populations staff.
• Coordinate with the Instructional Leadership Team on activities concerning compliance and performance of all special programs, including 504, LPAC, and SPED.
• Comply with policies established by federal, state, TEA, and local laws and policies.
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.

Budget and Inventory

• Understand the special programs budget and ensure that programs are cost-effective and that funds are managed wisely.
• Assist in compiling budget and cost estimates based on documented program needs.
• Assist with the selection and purchase of supplemental equipment, materials, and supplies for the program.

Communication

• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, and teachers concerning special populations of students.
• Ensure that ongoing, high-level communication about teaching and learning exists between the staff, families, and the community.
• Consult parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Consult parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding, and respect.

Organizational Management

Provide leadership on the development of the master schedule, daily school activities, teacher assignments, special population teacher schedules, tutoring, and extracurricular activity schedules, and campus-based tutoring sessions, as a part of the instructional leadership team.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

First and foremost, the Special Populations Coordinator must have an unwavering commitment to Academy of Visual and Performing Arts’ mission and a willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of AVPA students, families, and staff.

Additionally, for this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills :

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree preferred
• Special Education certification required;
• Certified T-TESS appraiser, preferred (or willingness to obtain)
• Three (3) years of Special Education teaching experience
• Experience in implementing and monitoring academics programs
• Results-proven track record of exceeding goals
• Evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment with high level of business acumen and problem-solving skills
• Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backward plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to, detail, and deliver consistent and timely results
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and enthusiastic communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of organizational excellence
• Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Successful criminal background check results required

Benefits

What We Offer

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts’ compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution.

The salary for this role is $72,500-$75,000 annually. AVPA is committed to internal pay equity throughout our organization.

Because of this, we do not negotiate salary offers outside our salary bands. We offer a competitive benefits package with comprehensive health benefits.

All sta members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including relevant and quality professional development, laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies.

Equal Employment Opportunity : Academy of Visual and Performing Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.