Fast Facts

KIPP Capital Region is seeking a passionate Director of Student Support (SPED/Diverse Learners) responsible for ensuring the academic and emotional success of students requiring additional support in a charter school environment.

Responsibilities: The Director will coordinate staff training in special education, support school-based coordinators, manage compliance with IEPs and 504s, and foster an inclusive environment for diverse learners.

Skills: Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to DEI, have strong interpersonal skills, and excel in fast-paced environments, alongside the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Qualifications: A Bachelor's Degree is required; a Master's Degree is preferred along with 4+ years of experience in special education or ELL contexts, and certifications or relevant educational credentials.

Location: The position is based in Albany, New York, with some infrequent travel required to other KIPP locations.

Compensation: $85500 - $94500 / Annually

Company Description

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond. 

Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500+ students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, and then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Director of Student Support is passionate about supporting students at risk for academic underperformance due to emotional and/or physical challenges or language acquisition barriers so that they can succeed in the rigorous academic programs within KIPP Capital Region Public Schools.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Student Support holds primary responsibility for ensuring that KIPP Capital Region NY provides the academic, emotional, and physical services for students who require additional support to thrive within the schools’ core academic programs:

• Coordinate summer and academic year staff professional development in the areas of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.
• Identify, train, support, and coach school-based special education coordinators, special education teachers, providers of related services (e.g., occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, counselors), and English Language Learner instructors.
• Train, support, and coach general education teachers in the areas of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.
• Coordinate, in collaboration with the KIPP Cap Region Principals, the recruitment of full-time and part-time staff in the areas of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.
• Provide support to the school-based special education coordinators in the following areas:

1. Conducting “Child Find” activities in accordance with State and Federal law.
2. Identifying incoming students’ needs for special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services as indicated by family questionnaire responses.
3. Reviewing the results of intake assessments of new students to identify students in need of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services
4. Pre-referral and referral processes for special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.
5. Coordinating classroom observations and testing (i.e. psychological) as needed using service providers when appropriate.
6. Participating in the development and maintenance of IEPs & 504s.
7. Implementing IEPs and 504s, including managing the provision of direct services by the schools.
8. Ensuring that all general education teachers know, understand, and implement all classroom accommodations and modifications required by IEPs and 504s.
9. Designing curricula and differentiating instruction to best serve students in need of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.
10. Complying with Special Education regulations and maintaining accurate special education records and reports per state and federal law.

• Help to create a culture of order, structure, humanity, and academic rigor in the classrooms and schools within KIPP Capital Region.
• Collaborate with teachers, other school staff, and administrators to ensure that all our students climb the mountain to high school and college.
• Work with the Principals to ensure sharing of best practices across KIPP Capital Region in the areas of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.
• Document KIPP Capital Region protocols and best practices in the areas of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.

KIPP Capital Region

• Perform other duties as outlined by the Principal, Regional Director of Special Education and MD of Schools Principal Manager.
• Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws, and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Strongly committed to the mission of KIPP and investment in our vision of being an equitable and anti-racist organization
• Strong DEI lens with exceptional creative power in leading anti-racist practices
• Passionate commitment to improve the minds, characters, and lives of students both in and out of school
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback
• Strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and flexibility to accommodate the high level of responsibility, multiple priorities, and rapidly changing environment. Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented, mission-driven culture
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours.
• Ability to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Please note: Infrequent travel to different KIPP Capital Region schools is required
• Must be willing and able to take a Criminal History Background Check

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree preferred from an accredited College or University
• Certified as a Special Education Teacher or Administrator
• 4+ years of professional experience, working within a classroom with Special Education and/or ELL students
• Prior experience working in schools (preferably in the charter, private, or public school environment) and urban communities is preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods were sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee needs to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use fingers to type, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance; stoop/bend and reach, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, hear.
• Dexterity requires writing and operating standard office machines such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, phones, and calculators.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.

Additional Information

WORK PERKS

When you join KIPP Capital Region, you are joining in on our promise to families that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop a passion for learning and the drive necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in the Capital Region. And while the biggest perk to working at KIPP Capital Region is doing work that makes a lifelong difference in the lives of our students, you'll find that's not the only benefit we offer:

• Generous time-off 
• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match
• Childcare benefits
• Unparalleled work/life integration
• Casual dress code
• Relocation stipend (conditions apply)
• And so much more! For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP Capital Region, please view our Employee Benefits Summary.

Learn More:

KIPP Capital Region offers a competitive salary ranging from $85,500 - $94,500 with a $10,000 Sign On Bonus. 

Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and longevity within the KIPP network. KIPP Capital Region will evaluate and determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our teacher salary scale at point of hire.

All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti-racism and inclusion, are part of a close-knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. Learn more about what it’s like to work at KIPP Capital Region: kippcapital.org/join-our-team/

This role is located at KIPP Capital Region schools in Albany, NY.