Student Program Support Administrator (Spsa)

Student Program Support Administrator

(SPSA)

Memorial Middle School

The vision of each of the Fitchburg Public Schools is to provide learning experiences that engage all students in achieving high academic standards while developing intellectual rigor, creative interest, and social characteristics that prepare them for the challenges of living successfully and productively as citizens of this new century.

The Student Program Support Administrator (SPSA) is a member of the school leadership team along with the principal and Assistant Principal. The SPSA provides support to the school-based Special Education department.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university; Master's Degree preferred.

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary license in one or more of these area(s):

• Special Education Administrator

• Grades: All Levels

• Supervisor/Director

• Level depends on prerequisite license*

• SEI Endorsement

• 5+ years' experience as a Special Education Teacher, Psychologist, guidance counselor, social adjustment counselor, and/or other related service providers

• Knowledge and experience in behavior management and behavioral plans, Responsive Classroom/Developmental designs, PBIS, Response to Instruction, Differentiation of Instruction, Reading Disabilities and various specialized programs related to Reading and Dyslexia, and working knowledge of IDEA and state special education regulations, evaluation, and IEP meeting/process/development.

• Knowledge of current education legislation/regulations

• Ability to work effectively with teachers, support staff, and parents and advocate for children to effectively problem-solve

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work with all stakeholders

• Belief in the commitment to increasing personal growth, both academic and social-emotional, to obtain the highest level of achievement for every student

• Ability to withstand strong public and professional scrutiny.

• Equipped with personal characteristics required to lead people through an intense change process.

• Strong commitment to work on the school redesign team.

• Proven ability to work with all types of data related to school improvement and underperformance.

• Willingness to self-reflect and to grow professionally.

Job Details:

The SPSA is responsible for supporting a high-quality instructional experience consistent with the curriculum standards of the school district.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Essential duties for all administrators members include supporting classroom instruction; and active participation in the work of the department on curriculum development, activities, and pedagogy.

• Facilitates, coordinates, and supervises the initial and re-evaluation process in accordance with the most current state and federal regulations, makes decisions regarding areas of dissent amongst TEAM members, follows up to ensure that all team members complete information on the student's IEP, and that individuals' responsibilities are completed in a timely fashion.

• Communicate with the Directors of Pupil Services and Principals on discipline issues, rejected IEPs, and complicated student service issues. Files timely paperwork with the BSEA when IEP is rejected.

• Serves as the primary administrative contact in buildings for student behavior management, behavior program development and implementation, and discipline occurrences for all students including but not limited to assisting teams with the development and oversight of behavior plans and data collection and timely review associated with behavior plans, including but not limited to PBIS/MTSS-aligned plans for individual students and/or the school. Collaborates with the Principal and Asst. Principal in all such matters. Coordinates with the building clerk to ensure that discipline and special education data is accurate

• Serves as a resource to the principals, teachers, and other staff members, as well as with parents, regarding special education processes and services, and behavioral procedures. Coordinates and disseminates information via student/parent handbooks.

• Collaborates and coordinates with school and district leadership team(s), teachers, and parents to review and monitor students' performance, analyze student performance data, and work collaboratively to examine various facets of school programs to determine trends and appropriate directions and/or interventions, in particular for those students moving between buildings and/or may require program elements different than those currently in place.

• Assists in the collection and preparation of data and documentation related to district and/or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reporting requirements for coordinated and mid-cycle reviews.

• Plans for and provides periodic and as-needed training and professional learning for special education aides, general and/or special education teachers, either in groups or as individuals, on various topics related to the special education process, disability types, instructional and/or behavioral/ motivational strategies, and other pertinent topics at the discretion of the Director of Pupil Services and/or the building Principal.

• Will conduct the evaluation of all paraprofessionals in the building unless otherwise directed by the building Principal or the Director of Pupil Services.

• Follows professional practices consistent with the district's policies in working with students, parents, and colleagues;

• Attends and participates in faculty meetings and other assigned meetings and activities according to school policy;

• Maintains and improves professional competence through attendance at professional development events, and by self-generated activities that meet district expectations and the requirements for recertification;

• Maintains accurate and complete records as required by district policy and administrative regulation;

• Assists administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, maintaining order in the classroom in a fair and just manner;

• Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with students, colleagues, and parents concerning both the broad academic and behavioral progress of assigned students;

• Promotes equity and appreciation of diversity to ensure equitable opportunities for student learning, including, implementing specific strategies for students with special needs, with 504 plans and/or English Learners (EL);

• Participates in Leadership Team meetings to promote collaboration between general and special education and communicate the interests/needs of special education students and staff to ensure their needs are duly considered in district-level planning. Performs other duties that may be assigned by the building principal/Director of Special Education

• Assists the Director and assistant directors of Pupil Services, and the Principal in special education matters requested.

• Attends required meetings with the office of Pupil Services and the Special Education department.

Reports to: Principal

Evaluated by: Principal

Terms of Employment/Salary/Work Year:

As negotiated by the Fitchburg School Committee and the Fitchburg Administrators Association (FAA). The work year is 210 days.

Competitive and comprehensive health benefits are offered through the City of Fitchburg; www.fitchburgma.gov/benefits

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of NCBC (fingerprinting) and CORI prior to your start of employment.

The responsibilities and duties listed are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The School Committee's policy of nondiscrimination extends to students, employees, and the general public with whom it does business. Fitchburg Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or equal treatment in its programs and/or activities in compliance with state and federal law.

Questions related to this policy must be addressed to: The Office of Human Resources, 376 South Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420, HR@Fitchburg.k12.ma.us