Director of Education

CSAAC; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CSAAC is seeking a Director of Education to lead the Community School of Maryland (CSM) – Emory Grove location. The role oversees program administration, curriculum, IEP coordination, and staff performance and growth to align with CSAAC goals and regulatory requirements.

The Director will supervise educational services, ensure budget discipline, and coordinate with MSDE/LEA staff, families, and community partners to advance student outcomes and compliance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in special education and Maryland licensure in special education.
• Experience in a lead administration role with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Experience with transition services preferred.
• If candidate only holds a professional teaching license, an additional 3 years of teaching experience in special education is required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise the educational program per COMAR and CSAAC policy.
• Select and implement curriculum and manage instructional materials and library resources.
• Supervise IEP-related matters, participate in IEP meetings, and chair annual/triannual/periodic meetings.
• Interview job applicants for school positions.
• Ensure expenses stay within budget and allocate resources as needed.
• Communicate with MSDE and LEA staff and arrange site visits as required.
• Disseminate information, handle referrals and intake, and manage reporting requirements to LEAs.
• Review and maintain student records in line with state/local requirements and maintain reporting systems.
• Provide regular feedback to parents and meet with them as needed.

Skills

Programmatic skills

Planning

Collaboration

MS Office

Communication

Computer literacy

Education

Master’s degree in special education

Maryland professional license as a special educator supervisor/principal or Maryland special education teaching license

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Education provides overall leadership, oversight, and direction for all aspects of the Community School of Maryland (CSM) - Emory Grove location. The Director is responsible for the effective administration and operations of the school, including the development, supervision, performance, and professional growth of school staff. The Director ensures that educational programs and services are delivered effectively and in alignment with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and the needs of the students served.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree in special education; Maryland professional license as a special educator supervisor or special education principal, or a valid Maryland professional teaching license in special education required.

Experience: Experience in a lead administration role working with individuals with developmental disabilities in an instructional setting preferred. Experience with transition services is also preferred. An additional three (3) years of teaching experience in special education is required if candidate only holds a professional teaching license.

Skills: Strong programmatic skills in the area of instructional programs required. Must possess excellent planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to devise creative solutions to program issues. Strong collaborative skills needed, with the ability to marshal and coordinate internal (e.g. staff, families, other programs, etc.) and external resources (e.g. employers, families, community groups and leaders, etc.), to meet program objectives. Computer literacy required with a proficiency in standard business software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office skills). Strong communication skills.

NATURE AND SCOPE

Program Management:

• Coordinates and supervises the educational program according to the applicable provisions of Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). Ensures educational services offered by the CSM - Emory Grove operates within local, state, education and Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC) Policy. Plans for the continuing development of CSM - Emory Grove.
• Selects and implements curriculum for the educational program; upgrades and acquires instructional materials and the library media collection as needed. Oversee the quality of the instructional programs.
• Supervises and coordinates Individual Education Program (IEP)-related matters, including development and implementation, and documentation of student progress toward IEP goals. Participate in IEP meetings, and chair annual, tri-annual and periodic IEP meetings.
• Interview job applicants for school positions.
• Ensures operational expenses stay within budget guidelines and resources are reallocated to meet the needs of individuals served by CSM - Emory Grove.
• Communicates with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Local Education Agency (LEA) staff concerning individual student's progress. Arranges for MSDE team site visits as required.
• Responsible for dissemination of information regarding the CSM - Emory Grove company-wide information; handles school referrals and new applicant contact, follows-up and documents intake efforts. Distributes all reporting requirements to LEAs including grades, interim reports, quarterly reports, etc.
• Reviews and maintains student records as required by State and local education agencies. Maintains and monitors the school’s record keeping and statistical reporting systems.
• Provides student’s parents with regular feedback on their child's progress; meets with parents regarding their concerns, suggestions, etc.

Staff Management and Development:

• Responsible for the selection, retention, and development of staff at CSM - Emory Grove. Identifies knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform these roles, participates in the recruitment process for new and replacement hires.
• Provides leadership, mentors and motivates to staff to ensure the positive, productive, and compliant creation of the optimum environment to support our individuals in achieving their educational goals.
• Conducts teacher observations and provides feedback to teachers.
• Coordinates all CSM - Emory Grove employee training, licensing training, and other quality assurance activities which relate to training personnel to maintain MSDE approval and compliance with CSAAC policy and procedures. Applies for appropriate licensure for all school staff.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations, make salary recommendations as appropriate.
• Confers with human resources on to affect any disciplinary measures as required.

REQUIRED TRAINING/PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Completion and demonstration of techniques taught in the Mandt trainings.
• MD Teaching Certificate/License in Special Education? (Required)
• license as a Special Education Supervisor/Principal (Required)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Employee must be able to effectively complete a non-adverse physical intervention with autistic individuals of varying heights, weights, and levels of physical strength according to the guidelines presented in Mandt training.