This position supports the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center (Tennessee TSC), a technical assistance center within the Department of Special Education at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. The Education Consultant is responsible for training and coaching districts on implementing Response to Instruction and Intervention for Academics and Behavior (RTI2-A + RTI2-B), a multi-tiered student support system. The consultant will support a caseload of partnering districts in West Tennessee through in-person and remote technical assistance. Services will build district capacity to support their local schools’ implementation of RTI2-A + RTI2-B.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week) funded through a Tennessee Technical Assistance Network grant from the TN Department of Education. The position involves ongoing collaboration with the Department, other technical assistance centers, and team members at Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee. 

Some travel throughout the state is required, with most in-person work in West Tennessee. Occasional participation in in-person meetings in Nashville is required. 

 

About the Work Unit 

Tennessee TSC is housed within Vanderbilt’s Department of Special Education. The Department has a history of significant and continuous impact on special education. Faculty and staff are committed to equipping students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and support to people with disabilities and their families. The Department has been ranked first among all special education departments in the country in terms of leadership and productivity for much of the last 20 years by U.S. News and World Report. More information can be found at http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/ 

 

Duties and Responsibilities  

In collaboration with other team members, the Technical Assistance Team Consultant will carry out the following activities: 

Training and Technical Assistance 

Participate in professional development activities (e.g., internal training, conferences, organized literature studies) to establish and maintain expert-level and up-to-date knowledge and skills related to academic and behavioral instruction and intervention.  Consult with district leadership teams to strengthen RTI2-A and RTI2-B at district and school levels. Consulting will involve:  establishing a shared vision for RTI2-A + RTI2-B;  using the Center’s assessments to evaluate strengths and areas for improvement; o guiding the creation of a district-level plan for continuously improving RTI2-A + RTI2-B; o using data to inform technical assistance decisions and coaching;  o facilitating training and coaching opportunities that target districts’ goals; and o supporting districts’ efforts to build internal capacity to provide school-level coaching on  RTI2-A + RTI2-B. 

Collaboration 

Develop and maintain effective relationships with district and school leaders.  Coordinate and facilitate regular meetings with district leadership teams.  Collaborate with Technical Assistance Directors and team members to ensure regional technical assistance is provided uniformly across the state.  Provide feedback on technical assistance materials (e.g., presentations, modules, handouts).  Collaborate with team members to develop technical assistance materials.  Co-facilitate professional learning opportunities, including in-person training and coaching and virtual training events. 

Evaluation 

Use the Center’s assessment tools to collect regional outcome data within established assessment windows.  Share and support the analysis and interpretation of outcome data in district leadership meetings; support action planning based on outcome data. 

Dissemination and Media 

Co-lead presentations on behalf of the Center during professional conferences and events hosted by the TN Department of Education (e.g., annual Special Education conference).  Promote the center and effective RTI2-A and RTI2-B practices through social media networking and contributions to social media and web content.   

Accountability 

Participate in Vanderbilt and center-wide meetings to ensure uniform and coordinated technical assistance across the state.  Meet with center leadership and Technical Assistance directors regularly to discuss the progress and needs of partnering districts. 

 

Supervisory Relationships  

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Principal and Co-Principal Investigators of the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center. 

   

Qualifications  

A Master’s degree or higher in special education, education, or a related discipline (e.g., school counseling, school psychology) is required.   At least five years of school-based experience with demonstrated knowledge in tiered academic and/or behavioral interventions and supports is preferred    At least one year of experience consulting with or supporting district-level staff (e.g., department directors, administrators, or coordinators) is preferred Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines  Strong written and verbal communication, as well as public speaking skills  Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple people as part of a collaborative team 

 

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