Director of Special Education (26-27 SY)

Freire Schools•Wilmington, DE

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Freire Schools is a network of four charter schools across Philadelphia and Delaware dedicated to preparing students from historically underserved communities for success in college and beyond. The Director of Special Education position is for Freire Charter School Wilmington, a high school serving grades 8-12. This role involves providing strategic leadership, management, and oversight of all special education programming and services to ensure students receive a high-quality, inclusive, and legally compliant educational experience. The Director will supervise Special Education Teachers, Related Service Providers, and Special Education Support Staff, and will be an active member of the school's leadership team. The position requires an unwavering belief in every student's capability and a commitment to Freire's values of equity, love, critical thinking, and diversity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
Valid Delaware Special Education Certificate or Special Education Director Standard Certificate required
Minimum of two years of successful experience in special education leadership or coaching
Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and applicable Delaware special education regulations.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build trust with students, staff, and families.
Genuine commitment to fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, excellence, collaboration, and social justice, and to Freire's mission and values.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Special Education or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the vision, implementation, and continuous improvement of the school's special education program.
Supervise, coach, and evaluate special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers.
Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local special education regulations, including IDEA, Section 504, and Delaware-specific requirements.
Maintain oversight of all special education timelines, including evaluations, reevaluations, annual reviews, progress monitoring, and procedural safeguards.
Serve as the school's LEA representative at IEP meetings as appropriate.
Monitor the implementation of specially designed instruction (SDI), accommodations, modifications, and related services across classrooms.
Oversee all referral, evaluation, and reevaluation processes, and coordinate related services including speech and language, occupational therapy, and counseling.
Build strong partnerships with families through proactive communication, and serve as a resource for families navigating special education services.
Manage special education budgets, contracts, and related service agreements as assigned.
Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention efforts for special education personnel.