Special Education Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential.  We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Summary

Rocketship Special Education Teachers (Mild/Moderate), also known as Education Specialists, play a critical role in ensuring that every student has access to an excellent, inclusive education. Education Specialists provide academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and case management support to students with mild to moderate support needs in alignment with their Individualized Education Programs.

At Rocketship, we believe in the power of inclusive education. Education Specialists work closely with students, families, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, school leaders, and related service providers to ensure students with disabilities are supported in the least restrictive environment whenever appropriate. This includes co-teaching, small-group instruction, push-in and pull-out support, progress monitoring, and collaboration with school teams to implement accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports.

Education Specialists manage a caseload at a single school site and are responsible for developing compliant IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, monitoring student progress, and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with IDEA, state law, and Rocketship expectations. Education Specialists receive coaching and support from school leaders and special education support staff to strengthen instructional practice, case management, compliance, and inclusive student support.

Education Specialists report to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Essential Functions

Instruction and Inclusion

• Provide individualized, small-group, push-in, and pull-out instruction to support students’ access to grade-level content and progress toward IEP goals.
• Support students in working toward rigorous academic goals aligned to their IEPs, grade-level standards, and Rocketship’s instructional expectations.
• Co-teach and collaborate with general education teachers to support meaningful inclusion in the classroom.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids, and services as outlined in students’ IEPs.
• Partner with paraprofessionals to ensure students receive consistent, high-quality support across classroom and school settings.
• Use student data, progress monitoring, and team input to adjust instructional strategies and supports.
• Support students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional growth in collaboration with the broader school team.

Case Management and Compliance

• Manage an assigned IEP caseload in accordance with IDEA, state law, and school/network expectations.
• Draft, write, and maintain high-quality, legally compliant IEPs.
• Facilitate and participate in IEP meetings, including annual reviews, reevaluations, amendments, and other required meetings.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and organized documentation in the IEP system.
• Monitor student progress toward IEP goals and provide required progress updates.
• Collaborate with school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers to support appropriate services and programming.
• Communicate regularly with families and team members regarding IEP goals, accommodations, services, and student progress.
• Maintain compliance with timelines, service delivery requirements, documentation expectations, and confidentiality requirements.

Behavior Support and Family Partnership

• Approach student behavior with the belief that behavior communicates a need and requires thoughtful, proactive support.
• Partner with students, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, and school leaders to implement behavior supports, Behavior Support Plans, and Behavior Intervention Plans, as appropriate.
• Use positive behavior support strategies to help create safe, structured, and supportive learning environments.
• Apply foundational behavior support practices, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis when appropriate and aligned to student needs.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with families through regular communication, IEP meetings, conferences, and other family engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with families and school teams to support transparency, shared ownership, and student growth.

Professional Culture and Collaboration

• Participate fully in coaching, feedback, observation, and professional development to strengthen instructional, behavioral, and case management practices.
• Collaborate effectively with general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, school leaders, and families.
• Act with urgency and professionalism in the best interests of students.
• Engage in self-reflection and take ownership of student outcomes, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate openly and proactively with families, staff, and school leaders.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented staff culture focused on inclusion, collaboration, compliance, and student success.
• Uphold high expectations for all students and maintain a strong commitment to equity and access for students with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or appropriate administrator.

Salary

Salary band for this role ranges from $54,827 to $75,034 annually. Final salary will be determined based on relevant experience and in accordance with the applicable salary schedule.

Our Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is:

• Student-centered and equity-driven , with a deep belief that all students can learn, grow, and succeed.
• Committed to inclusive education and ensuring students with disabilities have meaningful access to general education settings whenever appropriate.
• Collaborative , with the ability to work effectively with general education teachers, paraprofessionals, families, school leaders, and related service providers.
• Growth-oriented , open to coaching, feedback, and ongoing professional development.
• Organized and detail-oriented , with the ability to manage IEP timelines, documentation, service delivery, and compliance requirements.
• Strong in relationship-building , especially with students, families, and school-based teams.
• Skilled in supporting diverse learners , including students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional needs.
• Responsive to student behavior , with an understanding that behavior often communicates an unmet need.
• Flexible and resilient , with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced school environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Valid Wisconsin Lifetime License or Provisional License in the appropriate Cross-Categorical Special Education endorsement; or eligibility to obtain a 1-Year License with Stipulations and enroll in an accredited credentialing program during the first year of employment with Rocketship.
• Ability to maintain active and good-standing credential status throughout employment.
• Strong commitment to supporting students with mild to moderate support needs.
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor legally compliant IEPs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and school leaders.
• Strong organization skills and ability to meet timelines, manage records, and maintain compliance.
• Commitment to Rocketship Public Schools’ mission, vision, and goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, intervention, or a related setting.
• Experience providing instruction or support to students with mild to moderate disabilities.
• Experience writing IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, and managing a special education caseload.
• Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and inclusive education practices.
• Background or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis principles and positive behavior support strategies.
• Experience collaborating with paraprofessionals, related service providers, and multidisciplinary school teams.
• Experience supporting students in an elementary school setting.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

 

Compensation:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

 

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

 

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy.  For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.