Academic Director Jobs in Springfield, MO (NOW HIRING)

Join Our Team as a Classroom Facilitator - Infinity Academy
The Arc of the Ozarks is seeking a passionate and dedicated Classroom Facilitator to join Infinity Academy, our private school serving middle and high school students who need an alternative to traditional education. Come be part of a mission-driven team supporting the academic, social, and life-skill development of students with autism, gifted learners, and other developmental differences.
About the Position:
The Classroom Facilitator is responsible for supporting students in implementing their individualized academic curriculum and program activities that promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Facilitators supervise both individual and group activities, ensuring lessons, recreational and physical activities, community projects, and career exploration opportunities are completed. They collaborate closely with the Director to develop monthly plans, review student progress, and evaluate program effectiveness. This position also involves implementing behavioral, developmental, and sensory supports to help students succeed, while maintaining open communication with families, staff, and community partners. Facilitators work under the general supervision of the Director of Infinity Academy.
Here's a Little More About the Role:

• Support students in completing their individualized academic curriculum plans
• Provide supervision and support for both individual and group activities
• Collaborate with the Director to plan social, life-skills, recreational, community, and career-based activities
• Collect and record data on student progress and behavior to inform instruction
• Foster positive relationships with students, families, and stakeholders
• Implement positive behavior support techniques and sensory supports as needed
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and program evaluations
• Maintain classrooms and facilities in a safe, clean, and stimulating environment

An Ideal Candidate Should Be:
The ideal candidate will be passionate about supporting the growth of students with advanced cognitive abilities while addressing social challenges, fostering an environment where students feel understood, challenged, and empowered to succeed both academically and socially

• Passionate about working with students with disabilities and committed to increasing their independence
• Skilled in fostering authentic relationships with students, parents, and colleagues
• Adaptable, patient, and able to maintain a sense of humor in a dynamic school environment
• Knowledgeable in positive behavior supports, cognitive behavior management, and educational strategies for middle and high school students
• A collaborative communicator who thrives in multidisciplinary teams

What We Are Looking For:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in education or related field preferred
• Experience working with students with autism, gifted learners, or other developmental disabilities
• Understanding of middle and high school curriculum, teaching methodologies, and assessment practices
• Licensed and insured driver, with ability to obtain a Missouri Class E driver's license
• Strong oral and written communication skills, empathy, and cultural competence

Why Join The Arc of the Ozarks?

• Competitive, experience-based pay
• Health, Vision, Dental, and Life Insurance available on day 1, no waiting periods
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match after 1 year
• Generous PTO and Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Positive, mission-oriented workplace culture

Join a compassionate, innovative team dedicated to supporting students and families in need. Apply today and make a real difference!
Classroom Facilitator
Definition
The Classroom Facilitator with Infinity Academy is a professional educational position within Infinity Academy, a private school that serves the educational, social, and life skill needs of middle and high school-aged students who need an alternative to traditional schooling. The Classroom Facilitator is responsible for supporting the students in the classroom with their individualized academic curriculum and implementing program activities that promote the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of each student.
Classroom Facilitators are responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day implementation of the student's academic curriculum plans are being followed and completed. Facilitators are responsible for individual and group supervision of weekly plans and activities for the students, and ensure that social and life-skill lessons, recreational and physical activities, community projects, and career exploration opportunities are scheduled. The Classroom Facilitators meet regularly as a team with the Director to develop monthly plans and activities and review and evaluate student progress and program effectiveness. Classroom facilitators implement developmental, behavioral, and sensory supports necessary for each student's success.
Infinity is a program of the Arc of the Ozarks. It is a year-round school with rolling enrollment offering Full time, Part time, and in-home learning options. The program addresses the child's individual academic, social and emotional needs in a supportive environment. Children work at their own structured pace while working on underlying cognitive skills that have not been fully developed, which impacts their thinking and learning. Infinity also assists students in developing character traits such as resilience and self-reliance. Students attending Infinity Academy can earn a high school diploma through programs of Acellus Academy and Power Home School Curricula. Both are remote learning based, with customized instruction and materials. In addition to the academic curricula at Infinity, arts, social, and career exploration and apprenticeships are offered to support executive functioning, functional life skills, and social communication.
The Infinity Team primarily supports individuals who have an autism spectrum disorder, gifted learners, and those with other developmental disabilities. These individuals are prone to sharing a common disparity between cognitive, emotional, and physical development and may experience challenges with emotional regulation, sensory overload, and sensory sensitivities. They may have difficulty with social interaction and communication.
Work includes oversight and direction of the students enrolled in Infinity Academy and requires collaboration with program staff, contracted professionals, community stakeholders, parent/guardians, and other administrative officials in implementing the program. The employee works with the Director in coordinating and implementing The Arc of the Ozarks Quality Assurance Program.
General supervision is received from the Director of Infinity Academy.
Essential Job Functions
Mission and Core Values
Serves as an ambassador of the mission and purpose of The Arc of the Ozarks.
Supports students in the school setting so they may continue to work towards independence in their community and utilize resources.
Program Skills and Expections
Implement Individualized Academic Curriculum Plan Goals
Responsible for supporting and ensuring implementation of the student's academic curriculum plans are being followed and completed.
Oversight of individual and group supervision of weekly plans and activities for the students.
Collaborate with the Director to ensure that social and life-skill lessons, recreational and physical activities, community projects, and career exploration opportunities are scheduled.
Meet regularly as a team with the Director to develop monthly plans and activities and review and evaluate student progress and program effectiveness.
Data Collection and Recording of Student Progress
Collect data on student progress and behavior to monitor skill acquisition, identify areas for improvement, and adjust facilitation strategies accordingly.
Maintain accurate records of student performance and behavior to inform ongoing intervention planning.
Relationship Building Foster positive relationships with students, families, community organizations and stakeholders.
Collaboration and Communication
Foster open communication and collaboration with co-workers and supervisors to ensure continuity of care for the educational process. Participate in team meetings and professional development activities to support student progress and program effectiveness.
Behavior Management
In coordination with the Director, implement developmental, behavioral, and sensory supports necessary for each student's success.
Sets clear and consistent expectations for behavior with students.
Implement proactive and positive behavior management techniques to address challenging behaviors and promote the development of appropriate social skills and self-regulation strategies. Contributes and provides input on the progress and/or challenges of individual students at weekly team meetings.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
Adhere to professional standards, ethical guidelines, and Arc Core Values.
Ensure compliance with confidentiality and HIPPA regulations regarding student confidentiality and privacy.
Participate in professional development trainings & in-services.
Maintain classrooms and facilities in a clean, safe, and stimulating environment. Promptly report any health or safety concerns to the Director immediately.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
Ability to work with and respect persons with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities.
Ability to work establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, therapists, families, and stakeholders.
Ability to accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc. and perform other duties as assigned.
Ability to express empathy, compassion, and cultural competence when working with students from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
Knowledge of positive behavior support principles and practices, and cognitive behavior management techniques as they apply to therapeutic treatment and education for those with autism spectrum disorder, gifted learners, and other developmental disabilities.
Some knowledge of middle and high school curriculum, teaching methodologies and assessment.
Ability to deal effectively and graciously with situations requiring tact and judgement.
Must exhibit effective and strong oral and written communication skills.
A licensed and insured driver, with ability to obtain a Missouri Class E drivers license.
Minimum Experience and Training Qualifications
Experience
Experience working with persons with autism spectrum disorder, gifted learners, or related developmental disabilities. This experience must have been involved in the provision of educational or community based programs for persons with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities. Prior experience working with middle and high school students preferred.
Education
High School Diploma or GED required.
Bachelor's degree in education or related human service field is preferred.
Traits and Characteristics Desired
The Classroom Facilitator will be a person who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and increasing their independence as a valued member of the community. A sincere dedication to the mission and the people served by The Arc of the Ozarks is crucial.
The Classroom Facilitator should have empathetic and effective communication skills as applicable in the education setting and with the diverse group of students, and parents involved in the Infinity program.
Must have the capacity to cultivate and maximize Infinity team relationships. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build authentic relationships with staff, students, parents and guardians is valued.
Ability to demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills and how to identify and avoid power-struggles.
The Classroom Facilitator must be adaptable and be able to exercise patience, critical thinking skills, and maintain a sense of humor to thrive within the pressure of competing priorities and demands of a school environment.
The Classroom Facilitator should be open to feedback, possess a growth mindset, and exhibit a willingness for learning opportunities to better themselves and the Infinity team at The Arc of the Ozarks.