Job Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 52 schools serving 19,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

Job Description

Uncommon Special Education Coordinators are passionate, fierce advocates for their students, who manage all aspects of the school's Special Education programs. They also provide crucial academic, emotional, and physical support to students with disabilities and believe they are capable of high academic achievement.

Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• You will review intake assessments to ensure that all students receive the educational services and instructional methods that they need to succeed aligned with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• You will coordinate and provide pull-out, push-in, small group, and one-on-one instruction.
• You will schedule, coordinate, and facilitate Special Education team, IEP, and pre-referral meetings.
• You will manage all aspects associated with the evaluation process, including conducting classroom observations and testing.
• You will partner with general education teachers and advocate for all classroom accommodations required by 504 plans and IEPs.
• You will work closely with families in all grades of the school to address their needs throughout the IEP process and support their student’s academic and social-emotional growth.
• You will maintain student records regarding special education issues and prepare reports for regulatory agencies while also ensuring compliance with all City, State, and Federal special education laws and regulations.
• You will use standards-based assessment data to refine and differentiate curriculum and instruction.

2 . Special Education Coordinator-Specific Responsibilities:

• You will oversee the writing and implementation of IEPs and 504s to ensure that students are receiving services.
• You will conduct annual IEP and 504 meetings with students and their families.
• You will collaborate with general education teachers, school leaders, and families to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments and ensure compliance with IEPs.
• You will gather academic growth data and write goals to prepare for annual IEP meetings.

• You will teach pull-out, push-in, small group, and one-on-one instruction.d implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.

3. School Culture

• You’ll build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• You’ll partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their child's learning needs.
• You'll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• You'll participate in weekly, school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
• You'll partner with your grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students
• A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives

Required Experience:

• A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years experience preferred).
• Academic expertise in Special Education, the Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, or related fields of study.
• Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration at Uncommon Schools in the state of NJ, but you do need to meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements (a final undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduates on or after 9/1/16, or 2.75 if you graduated prior to 9/1/16). All instructional staff are required to become certified in the state of New Jersey within a reasonable period after beginning employment.

Additional Information

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise. Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position:  The starting compensation for this role is between $59,000 to $83,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. To receive an offer at the top of the range, candidates will need significant experience beyond the

job description

requirements. Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff members. 

Other Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer)
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
  • New Jersey Pension program
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence 
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance 
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon 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. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Summer work, Local area, Flexible hours,

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