Special Education Coordinator / Director

Matchbook Learning•Indianapolis, IN

3d•$65,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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