Position Overview
At KIPP Chicago, the Diverse Learners Teacher / Case Manager will oversee and provide direct services for cross-categorical students serviced in co-taught and self-contained classes, in grades K-4th or 5th-8th. The DL Teacher/Case Manager is responsible for collaborating with school based staff to create an inclusive culture where children and adults from diverse backgrounds and perspectives can excel. One way to do this is by ensuring that all students with diverse learning needs receive services specified in their IEPs and 504 plans. The DL Teacher/ Case Manager will schedule, manage and lead all IEP and 504 meetings for their caseload, in compliance with state and federal laws; monitor the process for admitting students to and exiting students from Special Education services; and support our school leaders, teachers, and support staff in all matters and decision-making concerning the Special Education process.
This role requires a passion for collaboration and a deep commitment to making decisions in service of students and families. In addition, a mindset of ensuring students are in the least restrictive and most inclusive setting as possible is crucial. The DLCM/Teacher reports directly to the School Leader, and is supported by the region’s Managing Director of Student Services (MDSS).
Key Performance Indicators
Manage 100% compliance with regards to diverse learner protocols, including but not limited to:
95% year to date completion rates for annual IEP meetings for the campus.
95% year to date completion rates for evaluations (initial and re-evaluation) for the campus.
Score 75% or better (agree or strongly agree) when a survey assessing areas in which the CM supports teachers is administered:
The CM at my school works hard to retain effective diverse learner teachers.
I plan to stay at my school next year and at least one reason why is due to the support I receive from my CM.
The professional development opportunities my CM provides are well-planned and facilitated.
I get enough feedback on progress towards my compliance goals, my writing of IEPs, and my facilitation of IEP meetings.
My Case Manager routinely follows up with me after giving me feedback.
As a KIPP Chicago Diverse Learners Teacher/Case Manager, your core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Mission Alignment
A belief that all students can and will be successful
A growth mindset about oneself and all others at the school, including a commitment to professional growth and development
A commitment to the mission and vision of KIPP Chicago and the pursuit of antiracism in our schools and work together
Regular and reliable on-site attendance is essential to performing the responsibilities of this role.
Diverse Learning Case Management
Develop, oversee, and coordinate Special Education services at the campus.
Develop a yearly meeting schedule that ensures 100% compliance in accordance with special education due dates and timelines.
Proactively communicate with staff members to ensure all members of the IEP team are prepared to meet all IEP and 504 deadlines.
Schedule, complete, and document all required parent communication in preparation of IEP and 504 meetings in compliance with state and federal laws.
Lead IEP and 504 meetings as a member of the IEP team.
Support school teams in collecting and compiling data for paraprofessional and transportation approvals if applicable to a student.
Maintain student paper and electronic files in accordance with CPS file protocols and state and federal laws.
Review all IEPs for quality as measured on the KIPP Chicago IEP rubric.
Provide feedback and professional development to teaching staff regarding IEP writing.
Manage and track completion of paraprofessional anecdotal record keeping and data tracking on a bi weekly basis.
Approve paraprofessional records weekly.
Manage and track completion of IEP goal tracking by teaching staff in compliance with student IEPs.
Manage staff to complete all IEP report cards in accordance with IEP benchmark dates. ∙ Throughout the school year, keep accurate and current lists of accommodations to be provided during standardized testing.
Serve as a thought partner and offer guidance to school teams regarding student schedules, staffing, and accommodations facilitation in accordance with state and federal laws.
Diverse Learning Teaching
Diverse Learners Teachers usually serve caseloads of high incidence, cross categorical students through pushing into content area classrooms and/or pulling small groups of students out to a resource room. Usually, DL teachers instruct caseloads of students from one to three grade levels. It is also expected that the DL Teacher/CM engages in the following instructional tasks.
Write initial, annual and triennial IEPs using Chicago Public School’s IEP system
Monitor and support implementation of IEP goals and objectives across settings
Inform general education teachers of IEP goals as necessary
Provide and/or support modifications and accommodations as needed in general education classrooms
Keep IEPs updated as to the achievement of goals and objectives at the end of every quarter
Maintain a portfolio of student work samples, anecdotal data, and classroom observations
Work with clinicians to ensure related services are being delivered
Work with the Principal, Assistant Principals and general education teachers to ensure all students receive appropriate accommodations and modifications during formal and informal assessments
Support and Leadership
The CM serves as the liaison between the school and the MDSS and in doing so is responsible for communicating the unique needs of the school to the MDSS. Furthermore, the CM is responsible for collaborating with the MDSS to ensure that the needs of the school are met.
The CM owns identifying, planning and implementing school based professional development as it pertains to developing school based staff in their capacity to be in compliance with their caseloads. This includes but is not limited to teaching teachers how to write high quality, inclusive IEPs and developing systems for being current with IEP reports cards and meetings.
The CM is responsible for working with the School Leader to ensure that each Diverse Learners staff member is on track with compliance expectations and is developing and growing in their capacity to do so. This will require initiative and the ability to manage up to the School Leader on the part of the CM.
As a KIPP Chicago Teacher/Case Manager, you can look forward to the following supports in your work:
A recent model of an Apple Mac laptop computer
A stipend to support the cost of mobile phone usage
A daily prep period each day
Time each week devoted to analyzing student data and planning responsive instruction
School-wide Social Emotional Learning curriculum and practices
Regular professional development rooted in antiracist practices and aligned to curriculum or role competencies.
Principals and assistant principals who are routinely present throughout the building and day
Weekly collaboration with grade level and content teams
A team of ambitious, talented staff committed to our important work