Assistant Manager of Special Education - Alabama Connections Academy

School Summary

Alabama Connections Academy (ALCA) is a tuition-free, online public-school serving students in grades K–12 across Alabama. ALCA is authorized by the Limestone County School District and began serving students in the 2017-18 school year. The school contracts with Connections Education LLC to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by AdvancED.

Alabama Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Position Summary

Working from your office at home, the Assistant Special Education Manager supports the Special Education Manager in ensuring the effective implementation of special education services in a virtual learning environment. This role focuses on compliance, instructional quality, staff support, and student outcomes. The Assistant Manager collaborates with teachers, related service providers, families, and leadership to ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate services in alignment with federal, state, and school guidelines. The Assistant Manager of Special Education will participate in overseeing Child find, Special Education, Dyslexia, EL and Gifted processes and deliver virtual training.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Support \& Oversight

• Support the development and implementation of high-quality standards-aligned instruction for students with IEPs, EL students, gifted students and students with Dyslexia in a virtual setting
• Monitor instructional practices to ensure accommodation, modifications, and specially designed instruction are effectively delivered
• Assist in analyzing student data to drive instructional decisions and improve student outcomes
• Provide coaching and feedback to special education teachers to strengthen instructional practices
• Ensure compliance with IDEA, state regulations, and school policies related to special education
• Support oversight of IEP, I-ELP and GEP development, implementation, and progress monitoring
• Review IEP, I-ELP and GEP documents for accuracy, quality, and compliance
• Assist in managing timelines for evaluations, annual reviews, and re-evaluations
• Support supervision and evaluation of special education staff
• Foster collaboration between general education teachers, special education teachers, and related service providers
• Assist in facilitating IEP meetings and problem-solving discussions with families and staff
• Promote a positive, collaborative team culture focused on student success
• Assist in the planning, implement, and evaluate staff in-service and/or training activities
• Communicate effectively with families regarding student progress, services, and concerns
• Support conflict resolution and ensure concerns are addressed professionally and promptly
• Track and analyze student performance, service delivery, and compliance data
• Develop a working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs
• Assist in the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP/EL/Dyslexia/GEP/I-ELP plan mandated accommodations for students with special needs during state testing events
• Assist in preparing reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Use data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for program improvement
• Assist in managing caseload distribution and staffing needs
• Support onboarding and training of new special education staff
• Help develop and deliver professional learning aligned to virtual special education best practices
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Special Education Manager

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in special education or related field
• Valid state teaching certification in Special Education
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in special education
• Strong knowledge of IDEA, IEP, GEP, I-ELP development, and compliance requirements
• Experience working in a virtual or blended learning environment
• Technologically proficient (especially with Google and Microsoft Office products)
• Some travel required
• Please note that two step authentication is required to set up and access all systems if a job offer is extended.
• High degree of flexibility
• Excellent communication skills
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two step authentication Benefits available to eligible employees can be seen at https://www.connectionsacademy.com/careers/benefits