FLSA Classification:  Exempt

Location:  3210 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062 and 8233 Central Park Ave, Skokie, IL 60076

The Director of Education provides visionary leadership over all formal education schools and programs at Keshet.This includes overseeing the programmatic operations and educational opportunities to all integrated sites of the ISBE Keshet Therapeutic Day School, Early Childhood Program, and inclusive partnerships with Jewish Day Schools.  The Director of Education is responsible for the operational success of Keshet Education Program ensuring seamless team management and development, program delivery, and quality control and evaluation. The Director of Education is a key external face of Keshet in the community.

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision of the Therapeutic Day School program in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Illinois State Board of Education.
• Provide supervision and mentoring to the Therapeutic Day School Managers (principals) and Early Childhood Coordinator.
• Provide instructional mentoring and supervision to teachers, including instructional coaching, data collection and assessment, and behavior management.
• Act as initial contact for intake process and oversees all Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
• Oversee all transitional and mainstreaming activities in coordination with the principals of all cooperating school public schools.
• Lead the highly individualized special education curriculum and staff; coordinates all facets of the multi-disciplinary team approach.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for the mission of Keshet.

Team Management and Development

• Recruit, hire, and oversee training, orientation, supervision, development and performance review of all staff members.
• Cultivate relationships directly with Parents, Teachers and Staff
• Develop and maintain positive and effective relations with local school districts
• Report regularly on results achieved and district improvement plans
• Ensure that Keshet is continuing to execute Best Practices in within the Programming Curriculum

Program Operational Management

• Provide leadership in the planning, development, implementation, review and evaluation of administrative procedures.
• Maintain structure teaching within all classrooms or search for Best Practices within the field of Special Education
• Assist with all financial matters as they relation to budget management, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs and securing of new funding.
• Implement the approved budget and responsible for and supervises the preparation of all required reports and legal records.
• Develop and maintain a safe and attractive school environment.
• Oversee the development of curriculum and approval of textbooks.
• Develop and maintain school policies consistent with agency policies.
• Evaluate the program on a continuous basis
• Successfully completes training in Safety Care); successfully complete all requirements to maintain certification. Able to utilize Safety Care interventions.
• Work closely with Keshet Program Directors to ensure a continuum of services throughout Keshet.
• Performs other related duties as required.

About Keshet:

• From its core programs for children and adults with intellectual challenges in the Chicago area, to its international consulting work, Keshet serves over 1,000 individuals with disabilities and touches the lives of many more family members, peers, supporters, and other stakeholders around the globe.

  Keshet’s local leadership, comprised of nearly 100 lay leaders from all walks of life, provide the inspiration, direction, and funding required to fulfill the organization’s mission: to do whatever is necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to achieve their potential.

Required Skills:

• The candidate is expected to have strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.
• The candidate should exude strength in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility, span-of-control and performance including understanding human resources, employee performance improvement plans, and corrective action policies.
• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive
• Respect diverse cultures and provides culturally appropriate, competent and individualized support according to each individual’s age, race, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs and culture
• Embrace a culture of collaboration and teamwork

Job Qualifications:

• Masters’ degree in Special Education, Education, or related field required; with a Type 75 Certification Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models, and selecting and successfully operationalizing innovative programs.
• At least five years of teaching in regular and special education and five years of school administration. Experience in the principal role is highly desirable.
• New hires need to be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination or provide documentation for an ADA or religious exemption and participate in weekly COVID testing

   

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Comprehensive benefits package included with salary for benefits eligible employees.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned at any time.

Keshet is an Equal Opportunity Employer Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.