Instructional Support Specialist

About the ASD Nest Support Project:

The mission of the ASD Nest Support Project is to advance the development and implementation of sound educational solutions for autistic students in kindergarten through 12th grade.   The Project provides training, professional development, and on-site and remote consultation for teachers, therapists, and administrators working in ASD Nest program schools in the New York City Department of Education.  

Our ASD Nest model is grounded in a commitment to true inclusion. It takes a developmental approach to student learning and social development, and honors the experiences and perspectives of autistic self advocates .

Position:

Instructional Support Specialist

Description & Qualifications

The ASD Nest Support Project is looking for an experienced autism educator to join our dynamic multi-disciplinary team that values inclusion, strengths, and celebration of difference. The position includes designing and providing professional development for public school teachers, providing on-site and remote consultation in secondary schools to support inclusion of autistic children in community schools, and participating in ongoing program development and evaluation. 

Qualifications: MA or MS in education, special education, social work, speech language pathology or a related field, a minimum of five years teaching or therapeutic experience with autistic youth, experience working with diverse teams and in diverse communities or schools, and experience facilitating professional development activities. 

Our Instructional Support Specialists:

• Observe and provide feedback to educators working in ASD Nest schools, via on-site and remote consultation.
• Independently manage their time and schedules and tailor their consultation supports to the individual needs of each school
• Participate in the development and facilitation of  workshops that promote understanding and respect for the strengths and challenges of learners with ASD
• Use leadership skills to galvanize school teams to create optimal, inclusive environments.

Responsibilities include:

Instructional Support Specialists are expected to accomplish the following specific duties:

Consult in Nest schools:

1. Provide consultation to ASD Nest schools serving autistic learners  from sixth through 12th grade. Consultation includes classroom observations; meeting with—and providing feedback to—educators and administrators regarding appropriate student supports; and providing in-the-moment professional development
2. Attend Nest Team Meetings to coach teams on how to conduct collaborative, transdisciplinary discussions
3. Voice anti-ableist and anti-racist perspective and support teams as they plan and implement inclusive programming

Lead professional development

1. Develop and lead full-day “Nest Practices” workshops for teachers as part of the ASD Nest Support Project professional development offerings
2. Build on the perspectives and experiences of autistic self-advocates and incorporate anit-racist and anti-ableist lens into content 
3. Lead workshops for educators working outside the ASD Nest Program

Collaborate with ASD Nest Support Project team

1. Participate in our continuous work developing the ASD Nest model
2. Plan and facilitate Support Team Meetings
3. Share in the administrative work of the team
4. Collaborate with fellow organizations at the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity 

Valued Competencies:

Initiative, organization, creativity, collaboration, respect, reliability, thoughtfulness, professionalism, responsibility, confidence & humility, and self-awareness

Salary:

Initial salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

About the ASD Nest Support Project:

For more information about the NYU ASD Nest Support Project, please visit our website: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/asdnest/