Director of Exceptional Children

Purpose and Scope:

OVERVIEW

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking dynamic educational champions ready to position our district as a national exemplar of education transformation. We need leaders with a fierce commitment to actualizing a bold vision that yields ambitious outcomes for more than 110,000 students and families across the Memphis-Shelby County area. The reality is that we can do better for kids, and we will with the right leaders in place. The most successful candidates believe that more is possible for Memphis and are:

• Courageous Thinkers & Doers: Prepared to navigate and thrive in a complex and ambiguous environment on day one, present innovative ideas to address systemwide issues, and execute sustainable plans toward transformation.
• Solutions-Oriented: See the possibilities, demonstrate the capacity to synthesize information and adjust short and long-term goals, and consistently find a window when doors close to deliver measurable results for kids and families.
• High-Performing Gamechangers: Leader of leaders with the capacity to mobilize and empower an outstanding team, make people-centered data-informed decisions, and operate with a relentless hyperfocus on removing stubborn barriers that destroy the hopes and dreams of too many of our students.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Provides direction to ensure business strategies and objectives are met.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Oversees the special education and gifted programs. Contributes to setting the district's overall strategy and approach to these identified groups of students. Leads the development of appropriate and standards-based curricula for special education and gifted students. Tracks student achievement and makes program improvements over time.
2. Supervises staff establishing standards and effectively selects, trains, motivates, delegates, monitors and evaluates performance to ensure targets and goals are met. Facilitates professional development and serves as coach and mentor.
3. Leads implementation of programs for all special needs students. Designs and implements comprehensive services and programs that meet the needs of exceptional children. Ensures that all direct and related services for exceptional children are delivered in a manner that meets the needs of students, families, schools, and the community. Evaluates program services for effectiveness and efficiency and makes program modifications as necessary.
4. Visits schools to assess the effectiveness of exceptional children and related programs, shares information, acquires input from staff, and provides feedback. Works collaboratively with the Chiefs, Executive Directors, and other Directors to formulate targets and goals for productivity, cost management, quality, and providing input on system-wide policy development as it relates to Exceptional Children.
5. Promotes an understanding of, and appreciation for, exceptional students in the community and among school personnel; provides adequate and appropriate training for principals, teachers and staff members. Provides support and training for parents so that they are knowledgeable of laws and guidelines and are able to cope with the needs of their children.
6. Conducts special studies and develops new programs as appropriate or as assigned. Directs the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, correspondence, and files related to assigned service, activities, and operations; provides for appropriate research and compiles reports, as needed.
7. Ensures the department meets all compliance guidelines, including, but not limited to, requirements for restricted funds, teacher-student ratios, curriculum standards, and others. Executes the responsibilities according to lawful and ethical standards. Uses personal judgment and initiative to develop effective and constructive solutions to challenges and obstacles.
8. Develops, presents, and defends program budget requirements; oversees and approves program expenditures and prepare financial forms and reports.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Tennessee School Administrator's license, along with other certifications as required by state and local policies (e.g., Tennessee professional teacher's license).

Degree Equivalency Formula:

Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.

Master’s Degree= 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for Bachelor’s Degrees must be included.

Additional Job Details: Has knowledge of State and Federal guidelines for disability areas.