DESCRIPTION
Overview
Though 9 in 10 Latino young adults say a college degree is important for success in life, fewer than 15% age 25 or older hold a bachelor’s degree. Voices College-Bound Language Academies exist to change that.
Founded in 2006 by East San Jose native and National Board Certified Teacher Frances Teso, Voices is a public charter school network with a mission to prepare all students for the challenges of higher education through the context of an academically rigorous dual-language program. With the Voices dual-immersion model, students receive 80% of instruction in Spanish and 20% in English starting in kindergarten. The percentages shift by 10% per year until reaching 50:50 in third grade. As a result, every student, regardless of home language, graduates bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish.
In 2018-19, Voices will operate four public charter schools: Voices-Franklin McKinley (K-8), Voices-Morgan Hill and Voices-Mt. Pleasant (both Transitional Kindergarten - 4th, growing to Transitional Kindergarten - 8th) and Voices West Contra Costa (Transitional Kindergarten- 2nd). As we expand to serve more traditionally underserved students in Santa Clara County and surrounding counties, Voices seeks additional team members who share a commitment to its mission and believe joyful learning and world-class academic preparation are not mutually exclusive.
Voices Academies’ Vision
All students graduating from Voices College-Bound Language Academies will possess the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in any career path they choose to pursue in life by mastering academic standards and subject matter. Students will be aware of the many positive possibilities for their future, and enjoy learning throughout their lives. They will be able to think critically by asking questions, especially when confronted with the status quo. Our students will have a sense of social responsibility to make their communities better.
Role Summary
Voices Academies’ Education Specialist (SPED) Teacher will be an inspiring educator with an entrepreneurial spirit. Under the supervision of the Principal and Student Services Manager, Education Specialist is responsible for the success of students in the primary academic areas (reading, writing, language, and/or math, etc) through implementing Voices approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes; modeling the necessary skills to perform assignments; providing a safe and optimal learning environment and providing feedback to students, classroom teachers, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goal, etc. The Educational Specialist will have the responsibility, in consultation with administration, to design and implement curriculum, develop school-wide instructional strategies, and administer assessments in an effort to best fit the needs of the school's target students. The SPED teacher will be responsible for managing the IEP caseload for students. To achieve our goals, the Education Specialist will implement various instructional strategies and curricula in the following environments: Core classes,Intervention classes, Small group and one-on-one student pull out.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching:
Provides educational instruction as outlined in the IEP for identified individuals with exceptional needs and monitors the implementation of the IEP.
Provides leadership for assuring full compliance with legal requirements as prescribed by federal law under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act 1997) and IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act, 2004) and State of California Education Code
Uses the school's data analysis tools to drive instructional practices, re-teaching strategies, and interventions.
Responds to student data on a weekly, quarterly, and yearly basis based on student need.
Provides accommodations and/or modifications to learners with disabilities for assignments and testing as determined by IEP team.
Instruct students for the purpose of improving their success in assigned basic academic subject areas of reading, writing and/or math, etc.
Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment, develop behavior support plans as needed.
Plan learning activities appropriate to subject(s), grade level(s), abilities, and cultural background of individual students.
Create an atmosphere through personal example and efficacious relationships with students which inspire academic achievement and an enthusiasm for learning.
Organize classroom systems/procedures/routines and manage student behavior to ensure students are fully engage in learning
Establish a culture of high expectations and college preparation for all students
Develop lesson plans consistent with California State Standards, instructional materials and provide individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
Motivate pupils to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for elementary education
Challenge and accelerate ALL students, no matter at what level they enter the classroom
Develop and evaluate independent study programs
Implement Voices Instructional Guidelines and Best Practices
Assessing:
Provides ongoing educational assessments and diagnosis of children for the purpose of identifying special learning problems and coordinates the development of individual instructional plans as appropriate for students identified with special needs.
Evaluates students' abilities in basic academics for the purpose of assisting other personnel in the diagnosis of learning disorders, development of remediation plans and/or student progress.
Administers standardized achievement tests, interprets results to determine learners' strengths and areas of need for initial, annual and triennial assessments.
Drafts and writes professional and compliant IEP's, as well as finalize the data in SEIS (affirm all IEP'S)
Establish procedures to process and place eligible students: develop screening programs in areas of academics and behavior; use data to determine eligibility for special education services; and provide research-based instruction and interventions of increasing intensity of supports to benefit all students
Coordinates referral and assessment procedures and facilitates the coordination of IEP team meetings and the implementation of special education services (Speech, Occupational Therapy, etc.).
Collaboration:
Work collaboratively to achieve Voices' vision
Work cooperatively with staff and parents toward resolution of mutual concerns.
Collaborate closely with other teachers, consultants, and the principal to align curriculum across subjects, improve own and others’ instructional practices and share best practices
Participate in daily grade-level meetings and professional development
Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of lessons, units, and programs
Identify unique student needs and collaborates with other team members and outside service providers to diagnose and address learning challenges
Builds close connections and develops solutions with families.
Participates in various meetings (IEP, , SST, Parent conference, In service training, Staff meetings, etc)
Participating in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions, events, and trips
Collaborate with parents as educational partners and provides ability awareness as needed.
Coordinates special education services with regular school program for each individual with exceptional needs and monitors the implementation of the IEP.
Provides consultation, resource information, and materials regarding individuals with exceptional needs to regular staff members. Assists teachers in developing appropriate instructional goals and objectives and assist in their achievement in core classes
Works with classroom teachers to design and continually refine curricula to successfully propel all students to achieve accelerated results (at least 1 1/2 years growth in one year's time).
Professional Activities:
Actively participate in professional development activities, including retreats
Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Voices mission, vision, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior and teacher compact.
Motivate and organize parent involvement and foster strong school morale and academic achievement
Provide students and their families with regular and timely information. Participate in parent conferences and provide regular progress reports as required.
Identify student needs and cooperate with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
Represent the school and program to local and State groups as assigned maintaining a positive and professional image; interact with outside agencies as necessary.
Maintain and prepare reports and records regarding student matters as directed.
Mentor and co-plan with Associate Teacher; keeping him/her informed of weekly plans and goals and evaluating Associate Teacher
Keep anecdotal records about student behavior and progress for use when generating IEPs and in conferences with parents
Prepares local, state and federal reports, or other documents as may be required for the purpose of disseminating information to appropriate parties.
REQUIREMENTS
Voices Academies Education Specialist Teacher candidates will have the following
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required
CA Education Specialist Credential (Special Education - Mild to Moderate)
CA Credential: Multiple Subject or eligible for intern credential
Valid bilingual authorization (BCLAD or equivalent , BCC, ELD, or LDS, etc.)
Knowledge of subject matter, including California Common Core Standards
Demonstrated passion for the mission, vision and values of Voices Academies with a deep commitment to improving the lives of students from low-income communities
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
Outstanding written, speaking, and organizational skills with experience interacting with a broad range of stakeholders.
Commitment to accelerated educational progress of children.
Experience or commitment to public education, social justice, efficacy and equity.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of and experience working with low-income communities preferred
Entrepreneurial spirit, flexibility, and demonstrated success in building a dual-immersion curriculum.
Understanding of dual language instructional practices and school design and the unique characteristics of public charter schools is a plus.
High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Google Apps
Ability to work well independently and within a team environment; working efficiently, and exercising excellent judgment in making decisions.
Tolerate high levels of stress
Working Conditions:
Regular requirement to stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, stoop, kneel and crouch
Lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
Occasional evening and or weekend work
Occasional travel
Willingness to be trained as needed
Prior To Employment: Once an offer has been extended, a candidate must meet the following criteria to receive a final contract:
First Aid/CPR Certification
Cleared Criminal Background Check
Valid TB Clearance
BENEFITS
Key Compensation:
Annual Salary Range $55,000 to $80,000+
Medical benefits
Exceptional growth opportunities
Retirement plan
Contract:
Reports directly to Principal, Student Services Manager
Permanent Salaried, Exempt Position
At-Will Contract
If you have any questions about this position, please contact our hiring team by email at
[email protected] . Thank you.
Voices College-Bound Language Academies is an equal opportunity employer.
It is the policy of Voices to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizens
