Distinguished Educator Positions

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 93
POLICY CODE: 11B

TO: Superintendents of Schools, Special Education Directors, CDS Regional Board Chairs, CDS Regional Site Directors, CDS State Level Advisory
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: April 22, 2009
SUBJECT: Distinguished Educator Positions

Below is a listing of four positions that will be filled by the Special Services Team in the Department of Education. The Department of Education will contract with school administrative units (SAUs) and the Child Development Services System (CDS) for four practitioners, knowledgeable in special education and early intervention, to serve as Distinguished Educators for the school year 2009-2010. SAUs will be reimbursed for the employee’s salary, plus benefits and fixed costs. The employee returns to the SAU or CDS regional site at the end of the contract period.

With the Special Services Team’s staff, the work of the Distinguished Educators will involve monitoring special education programs and providing technical assistance and training to local school and Child Development Services personnel. If you have any questions regarding these positions, please contact gaylord.weston@maine.gov or call her at 624-6642.

Distinguished Educators: Member Profiles

General Information: In order to provide assistance to school administrative units, the Maine Department of Education will contract with SAUs and CDS regional sites for four practitioners. Distinguished Educators are individuals on leave from a SAU or a CDS regional site who will work for the Department of Education during the 2009-2010 school year. These are individuals who have been successful in enabling children to make outstanding progress toward meeting high educational standards. This professional service work involves program monitoring, technical assistance, and training. Individuals must be able to work as part of a self-directed work team. Extensive use of technology and travel / field assignments is required. STATEWIDE TRAVEL IS REQUIRED.

Responsibilities:

Provide technical assistance to SAUs and CDS regional sites on the implementation of the Continuous Improvement Monitoring Program;

Provide technical assistance to educators, state agencies, private facilities and others, statewide, in area(s) of expertise;
Provide special education program monitoring and technical assistance to educators, state agencies, private facilities and others, statewide; and
Function as a cross-disciplinary team within the Department of Education.

Knowledge and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations related to specific programs within the Special Services Team;
Knowledge of current learning research and exemplary educational practices;
Ability to use computers for word processing, data applications, and technology-based communications (i.e., Internet, Web, E-mail systems);
Ability to facilitate groups and to use exemplary interpersonal skills; and,
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and to problem-solve in a team environment.

Three Distinguished Educators on the team will have primary responsibilities in the area of Special Education Program Review and technical assistance, as well as other related special education responsibilities as determined by the Special Services Team.

One Distinguished Educator on the team will have primary responsibilities in the area of Early Intervention and the Child Development Services System Monitoring Program. These positions will serve as the technical experts to schools, state agencies, private facilities and community members in the areas involving special education issues and challenges. These positions will conduct program monitoring for public schools, CDS regional sites, private schools, and state-operated programs, in order to assure compliance with state and federal special education rules and regulations. Extensive knowledge of federal and state special education regulations and procedures is required and a 030 certificate is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must have a bachelor of arts/science degree in education, human resource development, psychology, or a related field and six years of experience as an education practitioner (a master’s degree is preferred), along with the ability to use computer technology (word processing and data processing software and telecommunications).

For further information or to receive an application, please contact Gaylord Weston at 624-6642 or email her at gaylord.weston@maine.gov. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2009.

The Maine Department of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.