Position Description: 

Student Services Lead Teacher

Opening Date:  Immediately

Closing Date: Until Position Is Filled

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Location: Chicago, IL

Reports To: Principal

How to Apply: https://platform.teachermatch.org/applyteacherjob.do?jobId=43525

UCSN Mission

The UNO Charter School Network (UCSN) believes that all students deserve the opportunity to realize their highest potential. Increasing in diversity but rooted in Hispanic communities, our educational model is anchored by strong parent partnerships, structured learning environments, rigorous curriculum, and an individualized approach that develops and empowers our students.  For us, academic success is not a hope; it is an expectation.

UCSN Vision

Our vision is to develop a diverse group of intellectually curious and passionate civic leaders who act with integrity and who compete and excel locally, nationally, and globally.

UCSN Values

Excellence – High Expectations, Growth, Achievement

Integrity – Transparency, Communication

Community – Teamwork, Collaboration

Innovation – 21st Century Learning Environment

Tenacity – “No Excuses, Whatever it Takes”, Passion

Accountability – Ownership, Outcomes, Responsibility 

Position Overview

The Student Services Lead Teacher plays a critical role in the academic success of all students in the school. The Student Services Lead Teacher ensures students with diverse learning needs (e.g. Special Education and MTSS) are being served appropriately. This includes instruction, robust data management coordination, scheduling coordination, testing coordination, overseeing relevant paperwork and flow of information, and communication with parents/guardians.  It is estimated that the person in this role will spend roughly 50% of the time on special education, 30% of the time on MTSS, and 20% of the time on test coordination.

The successful candidate whole-heartedly believes that all students can learn and demonstrates this by engaging in principles of distributed leadership.  They relentlessly pursue student growth and achievement through diligent planning, careful execution, and on-going collaboration with colleagues and the school leadership team.

An advocate for students and parents, the Student Services Lead Teacher must be able to handle high-stress situations with ease, exhibit superior organizational skills, and have the ability to problem solve and multi-task.

Core Responsibilities

Student Achievement and Success

• Work with school teams to ensure high academic standards are set for and met by all students.
• Deliver effective, rigorous supplemental instruction to students whose academic data indicates additional support is needed.
• Design and implement specific interventions to be used within a small-group setting.
• Manage school-wide MTSS process, including the progress monitoring system for students receiving Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.
• Maximize student learning by embracing innovative instructional strategies using the backwards design model, and aggressively seeking new ways to engage students in life-long learning.
• Increase student achievement via quality instructional methods.
• Monitor student progress, participating in writing, review and revision of IEPs, as appropriate.
• Ensure program compliance: that required timelines are being observed; that direct services, accommodations, modifications and other services indicated on the plan are being implemented across all school settings, and that the student is benefitting from the services provided.
• Coordinate school-wide testing coordination, organization and scheduling including NWEA, PARCC, ACCESS, WIDA Screening, MTSS Universal Screening and Related Service Provider Testing.

Commitment to UCSN School and Classroom Culture

• Create a student-focused and data-grounded environment that facilitates critical conversations around student learning and support services.
• Develop supports for students by building positive relationships with students, staff, families and external service providers.
• Assist in promoting the participation of students, parents, and other members of the staff in UCSN-initiated activities.
• Assist other professional staff in identification of leveled support, learning disabilities, development of planned remediation and evaluation of student progress.
• Possess an understanding of State and Federal Special Education Law and CPS Policies.
• Attend all CPS and UCSN Special Education, MTSS, and Student Assessment-related meetings.
• Must have annual IEP calendar and access to student IEPs.
• Notify the Principal if any part of a student’s plan (MTSS, 504, or IEP) is not being implemented appropriately despite efforts to correct problems via consultation with other school personnel.
• Assist in the development and implementation of student behavior management programs.

Professionalism and Leadership:

• Collaborate with school leadership team to develop and execute Professional Growth Plan.
• Maintain clear, accurate, effective and timely written and oral communication with school leadership team, parents, staff, other school personnel, community agencies and larger academic community to improve academic outcomes for all students.
• Exhibit personal responsibility for daily work and attendance, personal appearance, student learning, and school success.
• Deliver instruction as indicated in IEPs within Least Restrictive Environment guidelines.
• Maintain accurate student data and other records and submit reports as required.
• Maintain a 100% compliance rate for completing all Annual Reviews, Initial, and Three-Year Reevaluations according to State and Federal law.
• Maintain confidentiality according to State guidelines.
• Serve as a liaison between Related Service Providers and Coordinator of Specialized Instruction
• Demonstrate collegial behavior and make professional development contributions to the school community.

Key Characteristics

Commitment to Equity: Passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.

Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations. Builds positive relationships in and out of the organization.

Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues increased student growth and achievement; willing to do whatever it takes to make gains.

Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.

Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.

Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines.

Communication Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to stakeholder needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.

Required Qualifications:

Experience:

• Must be able to demonstrate the academic progress of students under his/her leadership and articulate the methods used to achieve those results.
• Must be able to demonstrate strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of data-driven instructional practices.
• Experience producing high quality IEPs and progress monitoring related to IEPs and MTSS.
• Co-teaching experience. (Preferred)
• Ability to work cooperatively and positively with peers, students and students’ parents/guardians.
• Strong technology skills.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (Required)

Certificates:

• Valid Illinois Special Education License (LBS1).
• Must hold permanent residency in the United States.

Physical Demands

Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment.  Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files.  Physically demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day.  In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day.  Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 15 to 20 lbs. 

Working Conditions

Majority of work performed in a general office environment.  Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties.  Also requires participation and attendance at organization-sponsored events and meetings.

NOTE: The foregoing list of essential duties and responsibilities is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

The UNO Charter School Network is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals.  The UNO Charter School Network does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.