Special Education Teacher: Mod/Severe

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 Description

Rocketship Special Education Teachers, known as Education Specialists (Moderate/Severe Support Needs), play a critical role in ensuring every student has access to an excellent education. Specialists serve students with significant support needs, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, and communication or behavioral challenges.

At Rocketship, we believe in the power of inclusive education. Our model ensures that students with disabilities learn alongside their peers whenever possible, while also receiving individualized instruction in smaller group or specialized settings. Education Specialists collaborate with general educators and lead paraprofessionals to provide accommodations, modifications, and targeted supports, creating classrooms where all students thrive together.

Specialists manage their caseload (10 or less) at a single school site, delivering instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions while ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law. Education Specialists also benefit from dedicated time for case management (2-4 hours each week) to focus on IEP preparation, progress monitoring, family communication, documentation, and collaboration with service providers.

At Rocketship, Education Specialists are empowered to focus fully on special education support and student success. Unlike many school settings, specialists are not responsible for operational duties such as arrival, dismissal, lunch coverage, or other classroom coverage (subbing), allowing them to devote their energy to instruction, intervention, family partnership, and individualized student support.

Behavior support is also central to the role. Specialists partner with families and staff to implement Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), model strategies for paraprofessionals, and utilize approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and crisis intervention to create safe, structured, and supportive learning environments where students can thrive.

Education Specialists receive ongoing support through weekly coaching from school leaders, in addition to specialized coaching from a Special Education Program Specialist to strengthen instructional practice, compliance systems, and long-term professional growth.

Education Specialists report to their Principal or Assistant Principal.

• Growth-oriented, eager to learn from feedback and coaching, and committed to ongoing professional development
• Experienced in supporting diverse learners, with at least 2 years working in special education, behavioral support, or related settings (preferred)
• Collaborative and eager to build case management expertise, coordinating services, writing compliant IEPs, and partnering with paraprofessionals, families, and general education teachers
• Experienced in behavior supports, with a background or understanding of basic Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, and a belief that all student behaviors communicate underlying needs that deserve thoughtful support
• Equity-driven and resilient, committed to meaningful inclusion and closing opportunity gaps for students with disabilities

• The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

Instruction & Inclusion 

• Ensure that all students work toward and achieve the rigorous academic and functional goals outlined in their IEPs; our goal is that each Rocketeer makes meaningful annual growth
• Deliver a combination of academic instruction, functional/adaptive skills, and communication supports (including augmentative and alternative communication systems), using STAR curriculum aligned with Common Core Standards
• Provide individualized and small-group instruction, as well as push-in and pull-out support, balancing specialized settings with opportunities for meaningful inclusion in general education classrooms
• Lead and coach paraprofessionals to ensure consistent, high-quality implementation of accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports

Case Management & Compliance 

• Own and manage an IEP caseload aligned with state regulations, ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law
• Draft and write professional IEPs, facilitate IEP meetings, and ensure both the online system and school-based files are compliant and accurately reflect each Rocketeer’s Individualized Education Program
• Collaborate with psychologists and related service providers (e.g., speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy) for evaluations and, when needed, administer academic assessments. Review and interpret results to determine learners’ strengths and areas of need for initial, annual, and triennial IEP meetings
• Communicate regularly with families and team members about student progress, goals, and accommodations

Behavior & Family Partnership

• Approach behavior with the mindset that all behaviors communicate a need, and develop responsive supports in partnership with students, families, and school staff
• Implement and oversee Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), ensuring paraprofessionals and teachers apply strategies consistently
• Apply intensive behavior support practices, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and crisis intervention techniques, to maintain safe and supportive learning environments
• Partner with families through IEP meetings, regular communication, and home visits to ensure transparency and shared ownership of student growth

• Engage fully in weekly coaching, including real-time classroom coaching in the moment, and ongoing professional development to strengthen instructional and case management practices
• Act with urgency and courage in the best interests of students, even when tackling new or unfamiliar challenges
• Engage in self-reflection, taking ownership of outcomes and learning from both positive and challenging experiences
• Collaborate effectively with general educators, paraprofessionals, and related service providers to ensure meaningful inclusion and consistent support for students
• Collaborate with general educators to engage families and school communities through IEP meetings, parent conferences, staff meetings, and trainings
• Communicate openly and proactively with families, contributing to a culture of trust and partnership
• Uphold the highest standards of compliance with IDEA and state law, ensuring that all IEPs and services meet both legal and instructional expectations
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented staff culture where collaboration ensures every student has access to an excellent education
• Are recognized and rewarded for excellence, including eligibility for performance-based pay tied to student growth and impact

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution
• Must hold Valid Practitioner License with a 461 Special Education Comprehensive Endorsement upon hire
• Must maintain active and in-good-standing credential status throughout employment with Rocketship

• At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, or related settings
• Experience leading or coaching paraprofessionals
• Background or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles
• Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and effective inclusion practices

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.