Secondary Transition Coach

Great Prairie AEA•Ottumwa, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a Secondary Transition Coach beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The Secondary Transition Coach serves as a specialized IDEA-DA SDI Practice Coach dedicated to supporting Great Prairie AEA’s Level 2 & 3 Secondary Transition districts. This role is primarily focused on providing intensive, on-site implementation support to LEA staff, specifically targeting the skills learned in the Department of Education (DE) Secondary Transition training modules. The goal of this position is to bridge the gap between training and classroom practice, resulting in the increased implementation of the SDI Framework and improved post-secondary outcomes for learners with disabilities. This is a field-based role, with the expectation that the individual is present in districts 4–5 days each week to provide direct coaching and implementation support. The position will require travel across the agency. Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated the ability to provide effective professional development and coaching.

Requirements

Master’s degree in special education or education with at least 30 graduate hours in special education.
Iowa Bureau of Educational Examiners license with a Special Education Consultant endorsement.
Minimum of three years as a Special Education Staff member at Great Prairie AEA.
Experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, cooperative teamwork, and excellent written and verbal skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build and maintain relationships with district staff and internal teams.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

Instructional Coaching & Implementation Provide individualized coaching and modeling to support high-quality instructional practices aligned with the SDI Framework.
Facilitate group coaching sessions to transfer transition-focused knowledge to building-level personnel.
Engage in Practice-Based Coaching cycles, including goal-setting, action planning, and providing structured, evidence-based feedback.
Support districts in observing the implementation of key SDI components to ensure fidelity to the model.
Provide agency fee-based professional learning as directed by the Administrator.
Data & Compliance Gather and analyze multiple sources of data (observations, student work, progress monitoring) to provide feedback to participants, the Leadership Team, and Systems Coach.
Maintain and share coaching logs with the Leadership Team to monitor progress and impact.
Support IDEA-DA designations and data review/action planning as directed by the Administrator of Special Education Instructional Services.
Collaboration & Leadership Actively participate in Coaching Networks.
Partner with LEAs and AEA staff to increase staff competency in secondary transition practices.
Create tools and resources to support continuous improvement.
Contribute to strategic planning to align secondary transition services with state and federal guidelines.
Additional Responsibilities Advocate for learners with disabilities and promote inclusive practices.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall goals and objectives of the department, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in response to changing needs and priorities.