Special Education Director & Team Coach

MATCHBOOK LEARNING Wendell Phillips School 63 | Indianapolis, Indiana Special Education Coordinator / Director K–8 | Leadership | 18% of Special Education Population of 700 Total Students | Team of 13 12-Month Position | Salary: Commensurate with Experience Our Vision At Matchbook Learning, our vision is simple: every child is known, loved, and flourishing. We are a tuition-free public charter school rooted in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis, serving K–8 students at Wendell Phillips School 63. Our students come with high needs and extraordinary potential — and our staff shows up every day to meet both. Our Special Education team is one of the most celebrated parts of Matchbook Learning — a well-built, deeply committed department that has produced remarkable outcomes for students. The leader who built it is passing the baton. We are not starting over. We are looking for someone who can carry what has been built, and help it grow. About This Role The Special Education Coordinator/Director leads and supports a team of 13 — five special education teachers and eight instructional assistants — serving students in grades K–8, including a dedicated DREAM life skills program. This is a 12-month position that carries significant compliance responsibility, meaningful human leadership, and daily coordination across the school. This is a full-year role with the same paid breaks as our teaching staff (Thanksgiving week, fall, winter, spring, and summer breaks). Summer weeks are predominantly remote and light in nature, though some in-person time may be required. You will have flexibility in summer while remaining available to support compliance timelines, transition planning, and staff onboarding. You will be surrounded by a full leadership team: a Tier 1 Admin, Tier 3 Admin, MLL/MTSS Director, Dean of Students, Director of Competency-Based Learning, COO, Director of Data and Compliance, and the Head of School. You will not be alone. You will be supported, visible, and valued. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Staff Support Foster a positive, collaborative, student-centered Special Education culture across all subgroups: DREAM life skills, resource, and middle school Provide instructional coaching, real-time feedback, and meaningful individual check-ins with special education teachers and assistants Build strong, trusting relationships with students, staff, and families — be visible and approachable every day Advocate for appropriate staffing, manageable caseloads, and equitable workload distribution across the team Facilitate regular full-team meetings and promote connection across DREAM, resource, and middle school groups Support staff during complex behavioral, academic, and compliance situations with a problem-solving mindset Coordinate with third-party providers including Kids Count, BCBAs, and RBTs Protect and champion the integrity of the DREAM life skills program, including clear and documented placement criteria Compliance & Case Management Ensure full compliance with IDEA, Indiana Article 7, and all Special Program requirements, timelines, and state reporting obligations Oversee IEP development, progress monitoring, manifestation determinations, evaluations, and case conference procedures Serve as the school’s primary contact at case conferences — attendance and reliability are essential to this role Maintain accurate and complete special education documentation, schedules, communication logs, and student records in IIEP/Indiana IEP systems Coordinate evaluation processes with school psychologists, related service providers, and MTSS teams Build systems for timely general education teacher input and feedback on case conferences Develop clear protocols for evaluation request review — including denial criteria — in partnership with MTSS Resource & Program Management Lead resource room restructuring and thoughtful caseload distribution across teachers Support appropriate student placement decisions based on academic, functional, behavioral, communication, and cognitive needs Collaborate with general education staff to strengthen inclusion practices and cross-setting student support Assist staff in identifying curriculum resources, assistive technology, and evidence-based practices Advocate for and help design sensory and calm-down spaces that support student regulation Family & Community Partnership Maintain proactive, compassionate communication with families — keeping them informed, respected, and included throughout the special education process Support staff in navigating difficult parent conversations and high-stakes case conference meetings Build trusting partnerships with families and outside service providers Operational & Systems Leadership Develop and maintain systems for schedules, caseload tracking, compliance timelines, and service coordination Build and maintain an electronic operations manual for special education — including cheat sheets, case conference scripts, IEP prep tools, and protocols — so institutional knowledge is documented and transferable Use summer flexibility to advance planning, documentation, and systems so the team starts each year fully prepared Assist with professional development planning focused on evidence-based practices and inclusive supports What Our Team Is Looking For Our team was asked directly what they need in their next leader. These are their words: A problem-solving mindset — someone to think alongside them, not just above them Real-time coaching and classroom presence — not just compliance, but genuine instructional support Emotional intelligence — the ability to hold space for hard situations with patience and care Advocacy for both students AND staff — someone who fights for the right resources, caseloads, and conditions Approachability and humility — a leader who can say “I don’t know” and model how to figure it out together Fairness and consistency — clear expectations applied evenly across all roles and subgroups Visibility and reliability — the team should never wonder where you are or whether you’re in their corner Understanding of the distinct needs of DREAM, resource, K–2, grades 3–5, and middle school — with cohesion across all groups Regular team connection — weekly or biweekly full-team meetings Qualifications Required: Valid Indiana Special Education teaching license Strong working knowledge of IDEA, Indiana Article 7, IIEP/Indiana IEP systems, manifestation determinations, evaluations, and compliance requirements Experience supporting students with diverse academic, behavioral, functional, and communication needs, including students with autism Demonstrated organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills Ability to build positive relationships and maintain professionalism in high-stakes and high-stress situations Preferred: Indiana Administrator license or willingness to obtain Experience in special education leadership, case management, or instructional coaching Familiarity with life skills programming and DREAM-model classrooms Experience with state-level compliance reporting and audit readiness Your Leadership Support Team You will not go it alone. Your support structure includes: Head of School — weekly 1:1 and strategic partnership Assistant Principal of Academics & Tier 1 Instructional Systems Assistant Principal of Student Supports & Tier 3 Behavior MLL / MTSS Director Director of Competency-Based Learning Dean of Students COO Director of Data & Compliance Two School Counselors Dedicated Restorative Team Instructional Coaches embedded throughout the building Interim Coordinator (Sped Teacher) —knowledge bearer, available to support onboarding and transition What We Offer ✓ 12-month position — salary commensurate with experience ✓ 5% 401(k) match — dollar for dollar, vested at 90 days ✓ Health & dental insurance ✓ Tuition reimbursement — up to $2,500 per semester ✓ 10 PTO days (prorated if mid-year start) ✓ $1,500 perfect attendance bonus ✓ PGP credits for license renewal ✓ Thanksgiving week fully off ✓ Fall (1wk), winter(2wks), spring (1wk) ✓ Summer flexibility — mostly remote & light; some in-person may be required What We Expect A genuine growth mindset — you welcome coaching, honest feedback, and continuous improvement Full presence — this role demands attendance; your team, your families, and your compliance calendar all depend on you being here Transparency and consistency — apply standards fairly across all staff and subgroups Proactive family communication — build real relationships with parents and guardians, especially during difficult moments A commitment to documentation — build the institutional knowledge that outlasts any individual Collaboration, not isolation — you are a leader within a leadership team, not above it Summer availability for compliance timelines, onboarding, and transition — with the understanding that this is a lighter, more flexible season Commitment to preserving what works while having the courage to reimagine what could be better Application Process Interested candidates should apply online through the Matchbook Learning careers page: Matchbook Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all staff and students. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr