Bloom Academy Charter School exists to provide a high quality, rigorous, and joyful educational experience to students in grades kindergarten to fifth grade. We are a new and independent school seeking to add deeply mission aligned, smart, hardworking, and emotionally intelligent people to our founding staff. We opened August 2019 with a cohort of kindergarten and first graders, and now serve scholars in grades K-5 this school year.
Bloom Academy Founding Director of Special Education
Driven by our mission to ensure every child succeeds, the founding special education teacher will be responsible for delivering high quality, rigorous instruction and maintaining a joyful classroom environment for all students. We believe that teachers are key levers in producing student achievement. Therefore, Bloom Academy provides a working environment that intentionally supports and appreciates this incredibly demanding and important work through daily and weekly coaching and professional development. Joining our team as a founder provides a unique opportunity to help build the culture and legacy of Bloom Academy as it becomes an enduring and premier education option for generations of students to come.
Our Special Education Philosophy
At Bloom Academy we provide a safe, joyful, and challenging space for students with special needs. We believe that a special education “designation” should not lessen the expectations that we have for students, but rather should provide key insight into how we best support students to reach their greatest potential. We believe in creating inclusive spaces for all children. We are unapologetic about this philosophy. All applicants must share this mindset – no exceptions.
The Director of Special Education (Director of Neurodiversity) will have the following key responsibilities:
- Oversight of Bloom Academy’s Special Education Program - commonly referred to as our Neurodiversity Program.
- Management of Bloom Academy’s Special Education Program including all team members (paras, special education teachers, etc) organizing IEP meetings, ARD meetings, administering tests, etc).
- Ensure the creation and maintenance of a compliance calendar that includes pertinent deadlines (evaluations, ARDS, reports, etc.)
- Oversight and management over the Neurodiversity curriculum and implementation across classrooms and programs.
- Oversight and management of Bloom Academy’s dyslexia program and associated services.
- Assist with the creation and maintenance of inclusive classroom environments that value high expectations and character development for every child.
- Oversee the monitoring and collection of student data and uses data to inform instruction to be used by lead classroom teachers to support children with IEPs and 504 plans.
- Manage and coaches the Neurodiversity team - including but not limited to, creating schedules, and designing and overseeing weekly team meetings.
- Timely submit all local, state, and federal special education reports/data/information.
- Work cross-collaboratively with all Bloom Academy team members to plan for student success and progress. This includes and is not limited to attending leadership meetings, assisting with family conferences, etc.
- Create and lead schoolwide and grade specific professional learning sessions to team members to support their growth and sharpen their lens related to special education compliance and research proven practices.
- Provide support to general education teachers with the goal of ensuring scholars in the neurodiversity program are receiving all accommodations and or modifications necessary.
- Manage all special education vendors to ensure services are timely provided to scholars.
- Actively source and select vendors and or programming specific to Bloom Academy’s Neurodiversity program.
- Serve as point of contact and representative with partner organizations such as Region 4 and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
- Assist with hiring neurodiversity team members by actively participating on committees.
- Provide onboarding for new neurodiversity team members.
- Authentically engage in conversations with families about Neurodiversity services.
- Actively engage in coaching sessions with members of the leadership team to develop and grow practice.
- Provide consistent and clear high academic and behavioral expectations for scholars.
- Communicate effectively with students, families, and staff.
- Attend ongoing professional development aimed at building capacity to serve students.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, masters preferred.
- Valid Special Education Teaching Certification.
- At least five years working in the capacity of a special education teacher in an urban setting.
- A clear understanding of federal and state regulations, laws, and required compliance submissions.
- Deep alignment with the school's mission and core values.
- A staunch belief that all students regardless of race or socio-economic status can achieve at high levels and be positive contributors to their communities.
- A successful background check in compliance with state law.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with all school stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and Google Suite (docs, drive, sheets).
Preferred Key Competencies, Mindsets and Abilities
- Strong leadership qualities that include - proactively responding to challenges, reflection, accountability, and a commitment to self improvement.
- A growth mindset and high emotional intelligence.
- A social justice-oriented philosophy as it relates to the achievement gap and educational advancement of disenfranchised communities.
- Experience with equity or cultural competency work and or professional development.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
Disclaimer: This job description provides the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals hired for this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Bloom Academy Charter School reserves the right to change any or all content of this job description based on the school’s needs. If applicable, the incumbent will be notified of any changes before they take effect.
Bloom as you are.
Bloom Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment for all adults and children who enter our doors.