Special Education Teacher: Mod/Severe

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 a caseload at a single school, delivering instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions while ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law. They are supported through weekly coaching from school leaders and additional coaching from a Special Education Program Specialist to strengthen practice and sustain growth.

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 use approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and crisis intervention to maintain safe, supportive learning environments.

Education Specialists report to their Principal or an Assistant Principal.

Our Ideal Candidate

• 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

Essential Functions

• 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

Rocketship Professional Culture

• 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

Required Qualifications

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution
• Hold a valid Moderate/Severe Support Needs credential, or be eligible for a Provisional Internship Permit (PIP) or Short-Term Staff Permit (STSP), which requires current CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. CPR certification must be active or candidate must be willing to complete CPR certification prior to start date at Rocketship.
• Must maintain active and in-good-standing credential status throughout employment with Rocketship

Preferred Qualifications

• 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