Evaluation Team Lead and Special Education Coach (SY26-27, Middle School)

What You'll Do:

Veritas is looking for an Evaluation Team Leader to support in the implementation and adherence to state and federal compliance rules regarding special education as well as coach and support special education teachers. The Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) is supervised by the principal to ensure that the special education process and procedures for students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and all DESE Special education regulations are met.

The Evaluation Team Leader will:

• Coach and support special education teachers to provide services in the inclusion and pullout setting by:
• Conducting regular observations of special education teachers
• Collaborate with teachers during weekly coaching meetings to improve practice
• Provide consultation to general education teachers around accommodations written in IEPs to support all students to access the general curriculum.
• Assume responsibility for the coordination of the evaluation team process. This includes but is not limited to;
• coordinating and completing comprehensive intake meetings and annual reviews,
• coordinating and completing comprehensive 3-year evaluations as assigned,
• chairing Team meetings, processing IEPs within required timelines adhering to schedules set by the Dean of Student Supports and Special Education Clerk,
• contacting parents,
• processing required forms,
• ensuring families and staff have copies of evaluations before team meetings and a copy of the draft IEP following the meeting while it is being formalized.
• Maintain electronic tracking logs, schedules, and calendars;
• Maintain compliance and stay current with all special education regulations;
• Provide communication to parents/guardians of their rights to due process under IDEA and ensure that the spirit of the intent of IDEA is fulfilled; provide parental safeguards and document such;
• Build and maintain collaborative and communicative relationships with families;
• Respond to all emails and phone communications within 2 days of receipt;
• Facilitate Team meetings ensuring timelines are met;
• Oversee all annual review timelines and meetings in collaboration with caseload managers;
• Communicate regularly with teachers, parents/guardians, outside providers, related service providers, and principals; keep staff informed of special education student needs;
• Immediately inform Dean of Student Services/Principal of any Independent Educational Evaluation requests, rejection notices, or Out of District Placement requests;
• Ensure students are educated in the least restrictive setting;
• Work diligently to resolve all conflicts; participate as needed in mediations and Bureau of Special Education Appeals processes;
• Stay informed and know in-district programming;
• Coordinate transition to Middle, and High Schools and collaborate with receiving Team and Dean of Student Services;
• Participate in Department meetings, professional development, and collaborate regularly with colleagues;
• Be responsible for the final version of all Individualized Educational Plans (IEPS).
• Submit completed IEPs to the Dean of Student Supports for final review before formalizing.
• Ensuring delivery of approved finalized IEPs for review and signature by guardians.
• Perform any other duties and assume responsibilities as may be required by the Special Education Department, Dean of Student Supports, or the school Principal.

Requirements

Candidates should apply if they align with our values of:

• Students First: We make decisions with our students in mind and know our actions model the way.
• Grow Together: We are role models of growth mindset, teamwork, and collaboration.
• One Team, One Mission: We cheer for, lean on, and support each other as we play unique roles in support of the same mission.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Special Education teacher or leadership experience of 3-5 years required.

• Demonstrates an unwavering belief that all students can meet and exceed grade-level academic standards.
• Exhibits a commitment to continuous professional growth and reflective practice as an educator.
• Builds and sustains positive, collaborative, and effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Communicates clearly and effectively in both oral and written contexts.
• Maintains consistent, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Massachusetts DESE Special Education Administrator Licensure Preferred, or eligibility to achieve Highly Qualified status within one year of employment, demonstrated by:
• a passing score on the Communications and Literacy Skills (Reading and Writing) MTEL, and
• a passing score on a subject area MTEL, and
• a passing score on the Foundations of Reading MTEL, and
• possession of a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement.
• Authorized to work in the United States, with valid work authorization in place by the first day of employment.

Veritas Prep is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or qualified job applicants on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status or condition protected by applicable law. This policy extends to, but is not limited to, recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination.

Benefits

Veritas Prep offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefit packages that include the following:

• Salary Range for this position is $75,000-$90,000 exclusive of fringe benefits.
• If hired, your final base salary will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and/or experience.
• In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
• Keep in mind, the above range is the full base salary range for this position. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.
• We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time staff that includes, but not limited to the following:
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance Plans
• Paid Family/Medical Leave Insurance (private and meets state requirements)
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance (100% employer paid)
• Enrollment in Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (teacher pension program)
• Employee Assistance Program (100% employer paid)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), and more...

About Veritas Prep

Veritas Prep is a public, tuition-free school in Springfield that prepares students in grades 5 through 12 to compete, achieve, and succeed in college and beyond. Veritas Prep accelerates every student’s path to college and career by helping them set a strong academic foundation in middle school and guaranteeing access to college classes and college prep support in our wall-to-wall Early College high school.

At Veritas Prep, we are not only breaking down barriers to college access but also providing the tools students need to persist through college and prepare for a successful career. Our middle school program has been serving students in Springfield since 2012 and our scholars are supported by skilled, dedicated, and diverse teachers. Scholars learn important academic habits and are challenged to achieve at high levels academically, socially, and emotionally, setting them up for success as they enter our high school.

Our Early College high school program, in partnership with STCC and Worcester State University, prepares students to earn high-impact college degrees, saving students up to two years’ time in college and thousands of dollars. Students can earn up to an associate degree for free, and the general studies associate degree from STCC means students enter as JUNIORS at any Massachusetts public college or university after high school graduation.

Students at Veritas Prep benefit from high academic standards and robust support, an exceptional learning environment, a diverse staff of high-quality educators, a strong commitment to social/emotional and practical skill development, and an inclusive, anti-racist community that values the identities and backgrounds of all students.