Job Details
| Region: | 11 |
| School District/Employer: | Fort Worth ISD |
| District Category/Employer: | , |
| Position: | Director, |
| Assignment Level: | |
| Job Title: | Director of Special Education: Academics and Instructional Programs |
| School: | Special Education |
| Campus Description: | |
| Date Posted: | 3/12/2025 |
| Deadline: | 2025-04-09 |
| Openings: | 1 |
| Commitment: | Full Time |
| Description/Notes: | Position Purpose Advances the vision of Learning and Leading in Fort Worth ISD. Supports campuses, Teachers, Principals, and District Service Center staff in implementing a coherent PK-12 strategy to support all learners with a focus on Special Education. Ensures equitable access to high-quality instruction and services for all students. Ensures that the Learning and Leading Division practices are designed to close achievement and opportunity gaps throughout the District in order to ensure equity for historically marginalized students. Fosters collaborative partnerships across stakeholder groups and organizes appropriate support to campuses through department personnel to ensure every student receives the support necessary to thrive. Requires a visionary leader with expertise in special education regulations and best practices in supporting literacy and specially designed instruction. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Instructional Management Coordinates and communicates with principals to ensure compliance with federal and state mandates; collaborates with principals in program planning to resolve student issues and parental concerns. Provides direction in planning and delivering high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and instructional growth for students with disabilities. Ensures practices are aligned across departments to meet the needs of all students to ensure coherence across the District. Coordinates a systemic framework to monitor the quality and implementation of instruction and academic support initiatives; plans, and makes recommendations for adjustments, as needed. Collaborates across teams/departments/divisions to align research-based and culturally responsive curriculum, practices, strategies, and resources to support the needs of all student populations. Collaborates with other team leaders to build the capacity of instructional coaches in supporting teachers to meet the needs of students. Directs and leads department staff in support of content area instruction at campuses. Coordinates instructional support, curriculum writing, assessment, and development of professional learning for all stakeholders. Coordinates a systemic framework to monitor the quality and implementation of instruction and academic support initiatives; plans, and makes recommendations for adjustments, as needed. Analyzes instructional progress to evaluate progress toward program goals and gathers other significant data relevant to the success of initiatives, grants, or programs when applicable. Professional Growth and Development Leads professional learning across the District along with other Learning and Leading personnel regarding Special Education instructional initiatives. Develops and implements innovative professional learning opportunities and activities for students, District personnel, and the community, embedding HQIM and lesson internalization to ensure all are equipped with high-quality resources and strategies to enhance instructional practices. Organizes Special Education services through coordinators and managers of special programs. Guides, coaches, mentors, and oversees assigned staff, cultivating a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, accountability, and results-oriented leadership. Stays abreast of current research and trends in curriculum development and instruction. Creates and provides guidance for effective, research-based teaching practices. Communicates the latest developments in curriculum and innovative instructional techniques and programs to improve student achievement. Provides support for the Learning and Leading Division by housing curricular resources and internal documentation for professional learning. Provides additional support for the Learning and Leading Division around curriculum and the implementation of curricular initiatives. Advancement of Academic Achievement Monitors goals, shares reports, and assists in developing action plans for achieving goals. Develops and implements effective and efficient assessment systems and data collection processes that provide a record of baseline measures and track longitudinal trends. Monitors the impact of the department through evaluating progress toward goals, and gathers other significant data relevant to the success of the work. Actively promotes the District’s equity vision through curricular adoptions, instructional practices, and use of data to improve outcomes for all students with a focus on historically marginalized populations. Ensures that culturally relevant learning opportunities are provided. Regularly updates the Executive Director of Specialized Learning on compliance, progress, and areas of concern. Utilizes real-time feedback and performance data to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous program enhancement. Evaluates the effectiveness of special education programs, making data-driven recommendations to improve student outcomes and instructional practices. Oversees the creation, adaptation, and evaluation of special education curriculum, ensuring alignment with best instructional practices and future-ready learning objectives. Compliance Monitors and tracks all TEA compliance indicators for the District and campuses. Ensures school and district compliance with Special Education operating guidelines. Embeds HQIM and literacy instructional management in the processes for monitoring and tracking compliance with state and federal mandates. Fiscal Stewardship Develops and manages equitable budgets based on department priorities and District goals. Community Develops and maintains effective partnerships with employers in the community to provide program enhancements and learning experiences. Implements extended learning and activities for students in collaboration with District personnel and the community. Safety Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment is in safe operating condition. Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures. Corrects unsafe conditions in the work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor. Supervisory Responsibilities Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal. Personal Work Relationships All Fort Worth ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic. Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer. Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations. Other Duties as Assigned Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance with the Board rules, policies and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of lesson internalization of high-quality instructional materials, with a strong ability to connect specially designed instruction to Tier 1 instruction and literacy frameworks, ensuring alignment and coherence across all instructional levels. Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and special education, as well as District policies and procedures. Knowledge of best practices in administration, program evaluation, and staff supervision. Knowledge of budgets and budgeting processes for both local and federal funds and experience in developing and managing district service center or campus budgets. Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans. Knowledge of effective research-based strategies, theories, techniques, and methodologies. Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Skill in written and oral communication including ability to effectively interact with and influence all levels of district service center and campus staff as well as parents and public inquirers. Ability to direct and organize program activities. Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan. Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions. Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and District staff. Ability to work in a team environment, to capitalize on the strengths of team members, and to motivate/guide team members toward the accomplishment of a common goal/vision. Ability to use application software to access databases, email, create spreadsheets, and process professional documents. Ability to organize and coordinate work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and proactively resolve issues. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure. Ability to exercise discretion regarding matters of a sensitive or confidential nature. Ability to prepare oral or written communications, such as presentations, reports, memoranda, letters, grant proposals, and other documents. Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work. Travel Requirements Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required. Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computers and peripherals. Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting. Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of a mouse; occasional reaching. Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds). Environment: Works in a workspace; may require irregular and/or prolonged hours. Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position. Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions. This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. |
| Qualifications: | Minimum Required Qualifications Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required. Major in Special Education, Education, or content related field preferred. Certification/License: Eligible for a Valid Texas Teaching Certification required. Attainment of certification within six months is a condition of continued employment; Valid Texas Teaching Certification in the area of Special Education required; Valid Texas Mid-Management or Principal Certification required. Experience: Required: 5 years’ experience including: 3 years’ experience teaching Special Education required; 2 years’ leadership (non-classroom) at campus or central office level required; Preferred: Experience as a campus principal or in administration, including significant experience working with Special Education. |
| Salary Range: | $109,703 - $132,174 |
| Benefits: | For a full list of benefits, please visit https://www.fwisd.org/departments/benefits. |
| How To Apply: | Please apply online at www.fwisd.org/careers OR Click Here: https://www.applitrack.com/fortworth/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=686 |
Contact Person:
| Name: | Fort Worth ISD Talent Management Talent Aquisition |
| Email: | teachfortworth@fwisd.org |
| Address: | 100 North University Drive |
| City: | Fort Worth |
| State: | TX |
| Zip: | 76107 |
| Phone: | (817) 814-2750 |
| Fax: | (817) 814-1905 |