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Minnesota Association of School Administrators

Executive Director of Special Services

Executive Director of Special Services

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The SouthWest Metro Intermediate District #288 has an opening for an Executive Director of Special Services at our Dean Lakes Education Center in Shakopee, MN.

SouthWest Metro serves students in 11 member districts and 8 associate member districts across the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area with programs in Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Care & Treatment, Adult Education, and Alternative Education. We invite you to embrace your own value, potential, and ability at SouthWest Metro, while empowering others to discover theirs. We work to empower ALL learners to realize their self-worth through personalized educational instruction, connection to resources, and access to a supportive learning environment.

Description
Executive Director of Special Services , 8 hours a day for 260 Contract Days.

Summary
The Executive Director of Special Services is an innovative and creative leader with strong communication and collaboration skills who oversees all special education and special services programs within the district, supporting the academic achievement of students. The Executive Director will work collaboratively in partnership with other executive directors and the superintendent along with their teams utilizing generative artificial intelligence and other technologies to build a student-centered, future-focused model of education for Minnesota.

General Administration and Management
Advises Superintendent on overall direction of Division of Special Services and is accountable for end results affecting the District;
Provides administrative leadership and management oversight of the department;
Collaborates with Minnesota Department of Education staff, Regional Low Incidence Facilitators, and others on local, regional and state initiatives;
Conducts meetings and participates in local, regional, and state meetings as necessary;
Presents information items at Administration Meetings and Board Meetings as needed;
Attends Regional and State Special Education Director Meetings;
Collaborates and communicates with 17 member and associate member districts in urban, suburban, and rural areas to plan, organize, lead, and implement new and innovative programs to meet the needs of learners.
Collaborates with Teaching and Learning to support the professional development needs of the staff;
Provides leadership in the use of generative artificial intelligence to support staff, students and the community;
Support the planning, organizing, and leading of the READ Act, highly effective PLCs, professional development, staff mentorship, and coaching program, and other district initiatives.

Coordinate Hiring of Staff, Provide Supervision and Staff Development
Supervise Program Directors and other special services staff as assigned;
Supervise the recruitment and evaluation of staff members in Special Services and collaborate with the Executive Director of Teaching & Learning on the hiring of content teachers supporting special services programming.
Co-leads staff development with the Executive Director of Teaching & Learning for the Special Services Department;
Provides leadership to members in the area of special education and special services;
On request, attend or facilitate IEP/IFSP meetings or other information-sharing meetings;

Coordinate Appropriate Student Services
Plans, develops, implements, and administers programs and services to meet identified needs, including; development and implementation of new programs and services;
Participate in the determination of program plans and curriculum requirements for students with disabilities, including developing program goals and objectives that align with the cooperative mission;
Prepare requests for new, improved or expanded special education programs in relation to funding, staff, facilities, and materials needed supervise implementation of educational programs for students with disabilities, assuring that each student is provided with a free and appropriate public education;

Provide Legal Compliance and Monitoring
Monitor and provide technical assistance as needed concerning the IEP/IFSP, due process procedures, and compliance with State and Federal Rules;
Ensure that all federal, state, and local reporting requirements on special education programs are met;

Other
Directs fiscal and hiring operations of Special Service Department;
Monitor program expenditures making sure they fit within their approved budgets;
Maintain contact with member district administrators, state consultants in special education, directors of outside agencies and school programs, and work with outside professional service providers and college personnel on matters of mutual interest.

Qualifications
Master’s degree; preferred Ed.S. or Doctorate; three to five years of experience in K12 program development and/or administration.
Minnesota Special Education Director license;
Innovative and creative leader;
Demonstrated excellence in administrative or supervisory experience;
Knowledge of current state and federal special education law and regulations;
Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to manage special education funding;
Knowledge of current trends in the education of special education students in all disability areas;
Strong interpersonal communication skills with students, parents, staff, and administration;
Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff, business associates, and general community;
Ability to work on multiple tasks and prioritize appropriately;
Ability to communicate effectively;
Ability to exercise initiative and make independent decisions to reschedule work to meet deadlines or to effectively handle emergency work.
Creating and leading the District vision;
Managing staff including directing others, delegation and building effective teams;
Resourcefulness, taking the resources of the District into consideration;
Working constructively with others;
Managing constituencies effectively.

Pay & Benefits
The pay range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000 annually.  Competitive and comprehensive benefit package available:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA/FSA options
Dependent Care FSA
Vacation and Sick Time
Personal Time Off
Basic Life Insurance and AD&D
Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
403(b) with a District dollar for dollar match
TRA/PERA (Pension Plan)
Long Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Pet Insurance

Application Procedure
Apply Online at https://www.swmetro288.org/departments/human-resources

Selection Procedure
Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately until the position is filled. Those selected for interviews will be contacted. The interviews are anticipated to begin on April 16th.

 

 

Speech Language Pathologist-North Lakes Academy

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  • Evaluate the student’s abilities and formulate the student’s speech/language profile, providing written reports that reflect strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment; and guide evidence-based intervention.
  • Plan individualized appropriate lessons, activities, tools and approaches to achieve desired set goals and objectives.
  • Conduct initial and re-evaluations including administration of standardized tests, screening tools, and observations in order to identify children who may meet eligibility as defined by state/federal regulations;  and monitor students with disabilities for the purpose of supporting the students’ individualized education programs.
    Complete regular caseload management tasks, including scheduling services, updating schedule, collecting and analyzing data, and organizing student materials and information.
  • Participate in meetings to discuss student progress, the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and evaluation summaries.
  • Assess students’ needs for assistive technology and equipment for the purpose of communication , and make recommendations for its use at school as part of a program of specially designed instruction and related services.
  • Document speech/language services, and student progress in accordance with school district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Provide staff training as requested by the district.
  • Maintain consistent, collegial communication with general and special education  teachers, other staff members, and parents concerning student’s performance and day to day school business.
  • Demonstrate ability to work successfully with a multidisciplinary team, using inclusive practices.
  • Provide work direction to paraprofessionals serving children on caseload.
  • Provide consultation to colleagues in support of indirect speech/language services to students.

Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)-North Lakes Academy

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  • Provide direct and indirect OT services  to students who are receiving special education and require occupational therapy, as a related service, to benefit from specially designed instruction.
  • Evaluate (Initial and Re-evaluations) and monitor students with disabilities for the purpose of supporting the students’ individualized education programs.
  • Evaluate the student’s ability and formulate the student’s occupational profile, providing written reports that reflect strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment; and guide evidence-based intervention.
  • Complete regular caseload management tasks, including scheduling services, updating schedule, collecting and analyzing data, and organizing student materials and information.
    Participate in meetings to discuss student progress, the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and evaluation summaries.
  • Assess students’ needs for assistive technology and equipment, and make recommendations for its use at school as part of a program of specially designed instruction and related services.
  • Document occupational therapy services, and student progress in accordance with school district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Provide staff training as requested by the district.
  • Maintain consistent, collegial communication with general and special education  teachers, other staff members, and parents concerning student’s performance and day to day school business.
  • Demonstrate ability to work successfully with a multidisciplinary team, using inclusive practices.
  • Provide work direction to paraprofessionals serving children on caseload.
  • Provide consultation to colleagues in support of indirect OT services to students.
  • Support children in the areas of oral-motor, feeding, fine motor skills, and sensory regulation as it relates to student behavior.
  • On occasion, the following general education responsibilities may be requested:
  • Collaborate with staff to ensure that staff understand direct and indirect OT services, and the role of the general educator in extending these services, as well as best practices for supporting students’ sensory and motor needs.
  • Screen and monitor students, and consult with general educators to students without disabilities.
  • Participate in the child find process. As a result, the OT will provide targeted, evidence-based intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment.
    The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

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North Lakes Academy is looking for a dedicated Special Education Teacher to create a supportive and engaging classroom environment where students can succeed. This role involves working collaboratively with general educators, administrators, and support staff to provide high-quality instruction and individualized support. At NLA, special educators benefit from small caseloads, allowing them to focus on student growth and meaningful collaboration. They are also supported by an experienced team, including an on-site special education administration and evaluation team.

Spanish or Other World Language Grades 7-12-North Lakes Academy

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North Lakes Academy is looking for a qualified and dynamic World Language and Culture Teacher to teach grades 7-12. This educator will inspire students to develop language proficiency and a deeper understanding of global cultures. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, cultural awareness, and strong instructional skills to foster an engaging and inclusive learning environment.