SPED 6410 - Special Education Director/Supervisor ...



SPED 6410 - Special Education Director/Supervisor Interview Questions & ReflectionDirections: Use the following questions to interview a current special education director/supervisor. Under each question write a summary of what your interviewee says.1.???????What are the main functions of your job?-Oversee all special education programs-Ensure all students with IEPs are placed appropriately throughout the district-Hire/supervise special education teachers and other staff?2.???????What do you believe is the purpose of your role in the district??3.???????What do you like to do best in your job?-Participation in the education of students with disabilities-Being an advocate for students with special needs?4.???????What is the thing you like the least about your job?-Restrictions/laws limiting what we can do for students?5.???????What programs and services do you have for students with special needs in your district?-Services including inclusion, resource room, self-contained, Pre-primary impaired, PEEP?6.???????If you could provide different programming in your district, what would you like to provide, or what would you like to see for kids?-Would focus on the secondary level, specifically with Michigan Merritt Curriculum to support students with IEPs in obtaining high school diplomas.?7.???????What is your role in the supervision/evaluation of special education staff in the district?-Work closely with building administrators?8.???????How do you work with other administrators in the district?-Lots of time spent working with other administrators. -Work closely with building principals -Work with many departments: teaching and learning services, law, Human Resources?9.???????How do you go about solving problems? What is your problem solving process?-Child-centered approach-Strength in data. Data supports all decisions-Parents involved in all problem-solving situations dealing with student issues-RtI model?10.???What would you say your leadership style is?-Serving leader-“Working myself out a job”. Reflection Directions: After you have recorded all of the responses, write/record a reflection that includes your thoughts on the following questions:1.???????What are two things you learned about being a special education administrator that you didn’t know before?I did not learn anything hugely new that I did not know before, however speaking to the special education coordinator in my district gave me a much greater understanding of how big the job really is. I am in a big district (KPS) and thinking about the long list of duties the special education coordinator has, coupled with how big the district is, makes for a big job. ?2.???????What was the biggest surprise of the interview?The biggest surprise of the interview was when she talked about her least favorite part of the job being the laws and restrictions that limit what we can do for students. As a teacher, I think I group my administration and the law together. However, talking to Rikki, I realized she is bound by the same laws I am and it makes her job more difficult and frustrating. She, too, works with student issues on a daily basis. It is important to remember that administrators are working under the same program and rules as teachers are. The goals and objectives of the jobs are the same, teachers and administrators are just fulfilling different roles. ?3.???????What is something that you will add to your leadership style/philosophy?Sometimes when I think of administration I think of the job being removed from the classroom/students. It is eye opening to hear about leadership styles and problem-solving processes being child-based. It is important to remember that an administrator (special education coordinator/director in particular) is not just a business/management role. These leaders need to be focused on the students as well. That is the center of any successful and meaningful education. ?4.???????What is something that you will make sure to do as a leader??Talking to Rikki, I realized how important it is to be accessible to staff when you are an administrator. I really admire how easy she is to talk to, how approachable she is, and how happy she was to help me with this assignment. It is important to be a leader and, at the same time, treat people and their work with respect.5.???????What is one answer that made you really think about an issue??When Rikki was talking about wishing there were better/different supports at the secondary level when it comes to getting a high school diploma within the Michigan Merritt Curriculum, I really thought a lot about the disservice we might be doing our students if we do not develop some supports for this area. With the Michigan Merritt Curriculum there have been so many changes and it has become more difficult to acheieve a high school diploma, especially for our students with special needs. This is an area I would like to focus some attention and concern, especially when I am an administrator. ................
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