Description

School Summary

Georgia Connections Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual school for students in grades K-12 throughout Georgia. The school is authorized by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission and governed by an independent Board of Directors, with a mission to maximize academic achievement for students who are seeking other academic options. The school is operated by Georgia Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy of Georgia, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by Cognia, and GACA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Working from the office in Duluth, Georgia, the Special Education Program Coordinator-High School Instruction & Compliance will assist the Assistant Director of Special Education grades 9-12 with compliance, instruction, communications, and data management. The Program Coordinator is a 12–month employee who will assist in managing the Special Education Department for grades 9-12 and will be a point of contact for families of students with disabilities. This position requires expertise in Federal and State Special Education regulations.

The Special Education Program Coordinator-High School Instruction & Compliance will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Consistent collaboration and strategic planning with the Grade 9-12 Assistant Director

• Oversee Special Education compliance data

• Assist the Special Education Leadership Team with audit reviews

• Oversee Special Education instructional practices

• Assist teachers with differentiated instruction

• Support teachers with progress monitoring

• Facilitate ongoing grade band and department professional development

• Observe, supervise, and evaluate teachers and case managers as assigned in accordance with district policies including TKES.

• Assist the state testing team to facilitate the administration of all district testing

• Assist the Special Education Leadership Team with the enrollment process including requesting appropriate paperwork and ensuring all documents needed are obtained

• Support teachers when students enroll, making sure that teachers receive guidance on special education supports and services

• Participate in the hiring and onboarding process of special education teachers and case managers

• Manage GO IEP organization, including onboarding and exiting students from the platform, assisting with resolving support tickets, running regular compliance reports with follow-up actions

• Frequent data monitoring for SISPs, benchmarks, and other instructional initiatives

• Collaborate and plan with school-level Summer School Leads

• Collaborate and assist with developing summer parent orientation

• Oversee and Monitor Extended School Year (ESY)

• Provide training and professional development opportunities for school staff on effective transition practices.

• Conceptualize, plan, and execute a virtual transition fair, focusing on post-secondary education pathways, employment options, and independent living resources.

• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Georgia Special Education teacher certification

• Masters Degree or participation in a program that could lead to a GAPSC Tier I Leadership Certification

• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets products)

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

• Customer focused approach

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills

• Experience in writing policies and procedures

• Expert knowledge of IDEA and Georgia Rules and Regulations regarding Special Education

• Expert knowledge in FTE funding rules and reporting

• Flexible and willing to provide and receive constructive feedback

• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills

• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment

• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)