Director of Special Populations

Yellowstone Schools

Qualifications

• Minimum of 48 college credits from an accredited institution
• Associate’s degree or higher preferred
• Can demonstrate knowledge of and ability to instruct reading, writing, and mathematics             

Organizational Overview

Founded in 2001 and rooted in the Christian faith, Yellowstone Schools collectively educates 600 children in Pre-K through 10th grade and will grow a grade each year to serve 12th grade by 2026. Yellowstone partners with students and families—regardless of financial means—to provide a life-changing education, develop a strong moral foundation, and prepare scholars for life beyond high school. The K-12 campus is located in the Third Ward, one of Houston's oldest historically Black neighborhoods.

Most students served live in communities without access to strong educational opportunities. With classes ranging in size from 16 to 20, our students experience a rich academic and co-curricular model while receiving bus transportation, two meals a day, and access to a comprehensive student support program.

Yellowstone Schools consists of a cooperative of two school systems: a lower school (a private Christian school serving PreK-5th grade) and an upper school (a tuition-free, public charter school growing to serve 6th-12th grade). The lower school and upper school are distinct legal and financial entities with separate governing boards. The name Yellowstone Schools reflects each school system’s shared mission, vision, values, culture, and leadership. Each school complies with all applicable federal and state laws.

Essential Duties

• Assist the lead teacher with all elements of daily instruction in the classroom
• Help plan and implement policies and procedures that address how service delivery and other school services will meet the unique needs of every student
• Assist with execution of procedures and systems to improve the disaster preparedness and response efforts by the school to meet the needs of the School community
• Assist with classroom management and behavior/discipline for the whole class, small groups of students, and individual student redirection
• Assist with the observation and evaluation of student academic and social/emotional growth and development
• Assist with the planning of lessons and preparation of classroom materials, activities, and centers (including making copies)
• Assist with movement to and from the classroom, including restroom breaks, time with specialists, recess, meals in the cafeteria, and other related activities
• Monitor and assist in the cafeteria during meals
• Assist with, plan, and facilitate intervention instruction as determined by the academic team
• As needed and assigned, serve as the lead instructor or assistant for ancillary classes or other “specialist” blocks
• As needed and assigned, serve as the substitute instructor for content classes
• Assist with morning and/or afternoon arrival and dismissal duty
• Perform other duties as required and assigned

Professional Growth and Development

• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members
• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills
• Keep informed of and comply with state and school regulations and policies for classroom teachers
• Attend and actively participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees, as needed
• Participate in an instructional culture that values feedback, seeks growth opportunities, fosters innovation, and always puts student achievement first
• Perform other duties as required and assigned

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment can be very active and deal with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines and a varied and diverse array of contacts. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee will primarily work in a traditional climate-controlled office environment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasionally, the employee may work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold; specifically for events. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Yellowstone Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical (including HSA), dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings options, $50K employer-paid life insurance, supplemental life ( short-term disability insurance, cancer, hospital, accident), EAP, wellness day off and generous paid time off program, and 10-weeks paid parental leave.

Yellowstone does not refuse to hire, terminate, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of race, color, sex, or national or ethnic origin.