Associate Director - Therapeutic Preschool/Elementary Education

Description

Job Title:  Associate Director - Therapeutic Preschool/Elementary Education                                

Department:  Therapeutic Preschool/Lynde School

Position Summary: Ensure provision of high quality, integrated educational and clinical services, in accordance with the individual needs of students and their families

Department

Gateway Longview’s Education programs support Pre-K through 12th grade students who struggle with behavioral, social, and emotional challenges.

Agency
Gateway Longview is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Benefits
Gateway Longview takes pride in offering an amazing benefits package to take care of our most important asset- our employees!
We offer medical, dental and vision plan insurance effective the first of the month following hire date, flexible spending accounts, wellness program, employee assistance program, a 403B retirement plan, flexible working options, & several more offers. In addition to receiving up to 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays a year, employees can earn up to 33 days of PTO each year, with the opportunity to start using PTO after hire date.

Compensation
$63,000 - $71,000 per year
*Offers based on education and years of relevant experience

Hours/Schedule
Full-Time
Monday-Friday, Normal School Hours

Special Notification

This position will serve both the Therapeutic Preschool in Buffalo, NY; and the Lynde School Elementary Education in Williamsville, NY

Professional Development Opportunities

Gateway Longview has a strong investment in developing the future leaders of the organization through trainings, advancement opportunities, and a formal leadership pipeline.

Associate Director-Therapeutic Preschool Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

• Administer all aspects of S.E.D.-approved, multi-component Therapeutic Preschool Program serving students with disabilities. Ensure provision of high quality, integrated educational and clinical services, in accordance with the individual needs of students and their families.
• Initiate and implement innovative, effective educational and clinical programming consistent with progressive advances in the fields of early childhood special education and related services. Ensure that all educational and clinical activities are effectively planned, implemented and coordinated in a manner which brings maximum educational/therapeutic benefit to involved students and families, with the most efficient use of available resources. While promoting equity and inclusion amongst all program components.
• Ensure development with district CPSE and effectively implement Individual Education Plans and curricula, consistent with S.E.D. requirements and guidelines. Ensure that all educational and related services fully comply with applicable contracts, state (e.g. S.E.D. and OCFS) and federal laws, regulations, and procedures, as well as all applicable accreditation standards and internal guidelines regarding record-keeping, and confidentiality.
• Ensure continuity of staff fully competent in carrying out assigned responsibilities and achieving program objectives through effective selection, training, supervision, evaluation, and motivation of educational, clinical, support, and substitute personnel. Participate in negotiations with the bargaining unit, and ensure productive labor relations.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with families and caregivers, ensuring their voice informs educational planning and therapeutic services.
• Lead the development and execution of long-term strategic goals for the Therapeutic Preschool Program, aligned with agency mission, educational best practices, and evolving community needs.
• Ensure that the program represents the least restrictive appropriate educational/treatment environment for each enrolled student, through development and implementation of comprehensive, effective standards and procedures for admission and discharge in the context of a comprehensive continuum of preschool special education services. Establish practices to maximize opportunities for students to return to less restrictive settings upon discharge.
• Prepare a well-considered annual operations and capital budget, and ensure operation within that budget once approved. Prepare funding proposals to enhance programming as needed. Manage job functions within established financial limits.
• Use data to monitor program outcomes, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement in clinical and educational programming. Evaluate effectiveness of the program, and revise program design, policies and practices as needed.
• Oversee crisis intervention protocols and ensure all staff are trained in safety, de-escalation, and emergency preparedness.
• Complete required reports and documentation in a timely manner. (Includes, but is not limited to: performance evaluations, strategic mapping and outcome results, and case record review.)
• Other duties as assigned.

Associate Director-Elementary Education Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance to teachers in developing effective classroom management strategies that promote positive learning environments. Oversee classroom dynamics to ensure consistent behavior management and a therapeutic approach across all educational settings.
• Lead the development and implementation of curricula and lesson plans that align with NYSED standards and best practices. Ensure that the curriculum and lesson plans are tailored to meet the diverse learning needs of students in both Day School program, integrating therapeutic goals and individualized learning plans as needed (IEP’s).
• Conduct regular classroom observations to evaluate teacher performance and offer constructive feedback. Provide and schedule professional development opportunities that promote instructional best practices and enhance teachers' ability to address both academic and therapeutic needs of students.  Initiate, develop, and implement innovative programming that aligns with progressive educational trends and meets evolving student needs. Regularly evaluate and revise program design, policies, and practices based on outcomes and strategic goals.
• Foster strong partnerships with families to ensure inclusive educational experiences. Collaborate with the Principal, Senior Director of Education and school staff to create a comprehensive, holistic approach to treatment and service delivery, integrating family perspectives into treatment and educational plans.
• Ensure adherence to agency, state, and federal regulations and standards. Strive to exceed these standards by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and maintaining robust documentation and reporting practices.
• Manage and develop educational and clinical staff to ensure a high level of competency, motivation, and performance. In collaboration with the Director of Education participate in the recruitment, training, evaluation, and support for all educational personnel, including substitute staff.
• Maintain productive relationships with public schools and Committees on Special Education (CSEs) to facilitate timely and appropriate educational placements for students, ensuring continuity from pre-admission through post-discharge.
• Understand and support the budget.  Prepare funding proposals to enhance programming and maintain operations within financial guidelines.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by leadership to meet organizational and program goals.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have excellent communication skills
• Ability to multitask and be detail oriented
• Ability to utilize physical restraints in accordance with safety protocols with youth after successful completion of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
• Ability to work through a trauma-informed lens to assess needs and use appropriate TCI practices while providing support.
• Ability to work independently and be an enthusiastic team player
• Ability to work effectively with clients, staff, families, and community contacts
• Knowledge of daycare regulations

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in related field
• Valid New York State driver’s license