Director of Exceptional Learners Services

MISSION:

St. Mary Catholic Virtue School in Littleton believes that all children with disabilities are first and foremost children of God, created with inherent dignity and deserving of the same developmental, spiritual, and educational opportunities as their typically developing peers. Our commitment to inclusive education flows directly from this Catholic mission and profound respect for the human person.

REPORTS:

Direct Manager: School Principal. Forms part of the School Academic Leadership Team

Guidance & Inspiration: Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

TYPE: Exempt, Full-time, Salaried, 40+ hours per week. Able to work a flexible schedule as necessary (nights, weekends)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Special Education endorsement & experience with exceptional learners

JOB PURPOSE:

The Director of Learning Services' main purpose is to ensure that the DCJM mission and vision for St. Mary Catholic Virtue School are being promoted and upheld for all students. Through the coordination of the St. Mary Orientation Team, this position helps to ensure that the spiritual, social, emotional, and academic needs of all students are known and met with compassion and expertise by the members of each student’s team.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve all students enrolled at St. Mary regardless of age or learning profile. By attending to all students, we learn to value and benefit from the differences that God gave each of us.
• Case manager for students with special needs requiring reading intervention
• Provide direct student support to enhance the skills needed to increase independence as a learner: learn how to access accommodations; learn how to use readily available assistive technology
• Collaborate with the support teacher to provide short-term remediation of basic skills (reading, writing, calculation) until the student can benefit from instruction with accommodations in the regular classroom.
• Liaison with Littleton Public Schools and other organizations for student evaluations and eligibility conferences/service plan meetings
• Respond to concerns about academic performance and ability shared by any member of the student’s team. Responses may include but are not limited to the following:  ? Observe students in school environments to gather 3rd party observations  ? Collect observations and comments from family, teachers, and the student  ? Administer brief screening assessments to determine the need for a comprehensive evaluation (see note below)  ? Compose official accommodation plans to share with teachers. These plans will consider current needs as well as future needs to obtain accommodations in high school and on high-stakes standardized assessments (ACT, SAT, etc.)
• Monitor student progress via grades/comments reported in Facts, as well as progress monitor test results. Oversee testing accommodations for standardized tests (STAR, ITBS, etc.) and school-based tests.
• Provide support for teachers to maximize a student’s ability to access instruction and demonstrate knowledge in the regular classroom. This may include teacher training/mentorship and in-class support.
• Coordinate the School Orientation Team consisting of Assistant Principals, School Chaplain, School Counselor, and support teachers
• Assist the admissions process - Connect with families who have children who will require learning support. Learn about the child’s needs and share our approach, which is a team approach that includes the family and student as much as the teachers for the ultimate goal of developing independent learners.
• Provide Comprehensive Evaluations
• Coordinate paraprofessional schedules and on-site therapist visits
• Serve as a liaison between grant organizations and the school
• Oversee the Education Modified platform for the school