Speech Language Pathologist Lead (Manager)

The Speech Language Pathologist Lead at Hiawatha Academies is responsible for overseeing the special education team, ensuring that all students, particularly those with IEPs, receive the necessary support and services. This includes collaborating with other staff, creating individualized plans, and tracking student progress. The role also involves leading training sessions and promoting an inclusive educational environment for all students.

To qualify for the Speech Language Pathologist Lead position at Hiawatha Academies, candidates should have a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a valid state license, and previous experience working in special education. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential to effectively guide the special education team and collaborate with school leaders.

Hiawatha Academies is committed to professional development, offering scheduled training sessions throughout the year. As a Speech Language Pathologist Lead, you will have access to resources, workshops, and collaborative projects that help enhance your skills, keep you updated on best practices, and foster growth in your career.

At Hiawatha Academies, the work culture is centered around inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As a Speech Language Pathologist Lead, you will be part of a supportive team that values your input and fosters a positive environment where creativity, fun, and a little weirdness help drive student success.

The starting pay range for the Speech Language Pathologist Lead position at Hiawatha Academies is $67,000, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent in the field of education.

In your answer, articulate your personal passion for making a difference in students' lives through speech and language therapy. Share specific experiences or challenges you've faced that inspired you to pursue this leadership role.

Discuss your methodical approach to creating IEPs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with teachers, parents, and other specialists to gather comprehensive information on each student's needs before tailoring the plan to support their academic and social development.

Provide examples of your leadership experience, highlighting how you've fostered teamwork, communicated effectively, and guided your team to provide high-quality support for students with diverse needs. Discuss any challenges faced and how you ensured successful outcomes.

Explain the importance of transparency and regular updates with parents. Share specific strategies like regular meetings, newsletters, or progress reports that you use to keep parents informed and engaged in their child's education.

Describe your conflict resolution style, focusing on active listening and empathy. Emphasize your ability to mediate discussions and seek collaborative solutions that respect all parties involved while keeping student needs at the forefront.

Discuss how you utilize data to assess student progress, inform decision-making, and improve instructional strategies. Share examples of specific metrics you track and how you adapt interventions based on the data collected.

Emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students. Share how you incorporate cultural competence into your assessments and interventions to effectively address the diverse needs of the student population.

Highlight the value of cross-collaboration in creating an inclusive learning environment. Share experiences of successful partnerships you've developed with general education teachers and how they have positively impacted student outcomes.

Discuss your commitment to ongoing professional development, mentioning specific journals, courses, conferences, or networks you engage with to stay current in best practices and educational policies relevant to your role as a Speech Language Pathologist Lead.

Outline your priorities, such as assessing current programs, establishing relationships with staff and students, and identifying quick wins that can enhance service delivery and set the tone for your leadership moving forward.