Cary-Grove High School, within Community High School District 155, has an opening for a ten-month Special Education Division Leader starting with the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year. Salary is regionally competitive and based on prior administrative experience; a robust benefits package is offered. Please review the job description below.

JOB TITLE: Division Leader

REPORTS TO: Building Principal; Building Vice Principal

SUPERVISES: Division faculty

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The District 155 division leader (DL) is responsible for leading his/her respective division to provide quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment in every classroom; prepare students for their postsecondary endeavors; implement systems of support; and manage division functions. This role is a 10-month administrative role.

REQUIREMENTS:

•  Illinois administrative endorsement
•  Master’s degree
•  Successful teaching and leadership experience
•  Ability to work effectively with students, parents, teachers, administration, and the board of education

EXPECTATIONS OF THE JOB:

Staff Supervision and Evaluation

• Visit classrooms regularly to monitor instruction and implementation of district-approved curriculum.
• Implement district-approved evaluation plan with fidelity and in a manner that supports quality instruction in every classroom.
• Work with the principal and assistant superintendent of human resources to develop a district RIF list based on state statute and district-approved evaluation plan.
• Make recommendations to the principal on hiring, retaining, or releasing department members.
• Encourage teachers to self-evaluate using coaching, action research, video recording, or other methods that promote reflection.
• Confer and coach teachers in the division to help them improve instructional strategies.
• Approve requests for professional development and coursework in a manner that promotes improvement.
•  Encourage teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving.
•  Evaluate and supervise clerical and other non-certificated staff assigned to the division.
•  Follow policies and procedures in approving teacher absences.
•  Assist substitute teachers.
•  Assign and assist student teachers.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Provide leadership in the development and review of the division curriculum including the promotion of new courses and elimination of obsolete courses.
• Ensure that teachers in the department teach district-approved curriculum.
• Lead the textbook/instructional materials selection process.
• Demonstrate and develop quality instructional methods, strategies, and pedagogy in division classrooms.
• Understand and promote quality assessment practices.
• Articulate with feeder districts and postsecondary institutions on vertical alignment of the curriculum.
• Ensure that the district curriculum in their division prepares student for their postsecondary endeavors.
• Lead the understanding and implementation of RtI.
• Ensure that teachers utilize technology to enhance curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Student Growth

• Develop division schedules and staffing assignments that foster student achievement.
• Ensure that all students are held to rigorous standards and achieve high-quality work.
• Monitor grading system and student progress to ensure valid, fair, and consistent practices.
• Assist teachers with providing or arranging interventions for students who are not achieving success.
• Collaborate with division teachers and student services personnel to ensure appropriate interventions are in place to support student progress and success.
• Lead process of using student achievement data to establish goals and targets for improvement.
• Manage the CLT process as a system to examine student achievement and develop strategies for student growth.
• Lead placement of students in appropriate courses to ensure postsecondary readiness.
• Require that curricular and instructional decisions be based on student needs as defined by data and students’ postsecondary plans.

Professional Growth

• Lead division toward continuous improvement by expanding current knowledge in content and pedagogy.
• Ensure each teacher in the division develops rigorous professional goals aligned with FQI and designed to support improvement.
• Support and encourage teachers toward professional growth and improvement.
• Model professional growth and development.
• Be active in relevant professional organizations and encourage participation by division staff.
• Network with other professionals and organizations to improve programs and services.
• Provide current professional materials to members of the division.

Planning, Research, and Program Evaluation

• Develop, maintain, and communicate an assessment system that explains how individual and targeted groups achieve.
• Compile data as required by the principal related to the School Improvement Plan.
• Develop and maintain evaluation plans that measure the success of various division, building, or district programs.
• Prepare and submit curricular change recommendations.
• Assist in research projects.
• Collaborate with feeder districts and post-secondary institutions.
• Collaborate within and across buildings and district groups.

Operations and Management of Division

• Follow school board policies and district/school procedures and guidelines.
• Follow federal, state, and municipal laws and court decisions.
• Assist in developing master schedules and assign division members’ duties in a student-centered manner.
• Recommend improvements for the physical appearance and function of the classrooms.
• Prepare and manage the division budget.
• Inventory and manage division equipment and supplies.
• Serve as the communication vehicle to the division.

Community Relations

• Respond to parent inquiries about student progress, teacher, course selection, and/or curriculum.
• Assist the principal in developing parent and community programs.
• Participate in community programs and organizations when appropriate.
• Promote the idea of teachers as ambassadors of the school district.

Other duties as assigned by the building principal.

NOTE: There are a variety of administrative tasks, managerial functions, and supervisory duties that are unique to specific divisions and individuals. The list is not intended to be inclusive of those special duties. This job description attempts to describe the general administrative function of all division leaders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, see, hear, and type on a computer or device.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stop, kneel, use stairs, or crouch.  In addition, the employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the individual assigned to this position.  They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities related to the position.  This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessities and School Board policy and procedures.  Job functions are subject to modification.

FLSA: Exempt