Special Education (SPED) Director – Small Charter School
About The Position
At Freedom Academy, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to grow, succeed, and feel supported in a learning environment that recognizes both their potential and their individual needs. We believe strong special education programs require both compassion and excellence — systems that are relational, student-centered, legally sound, and built with integrity. We are committed to creating a school culture where students are supported well, families feel respected and informed, and staff are equipped to help every learner thrive. We are building a school culture rooted in Integrity, Honor, and Leadership — where students are challenged academically, developed relationally, and supported by adults who genuinely care about their success. We are currently seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and highly organized Special Education (SPED) Director to lead and oversee our special education program. This role is far more than compliance management. The SPED Director plays a critical leadership role in ensuring students receive appropriate support services while helping build systems, structures, and staff support that allow the entire program to operate effectively, ethically, and in alignment with both student needs and legal requirements. The ideal candidate is both relational and detail-oriented — someone who can support students and families with compassion while also maintaining strong operational oversight, compliance systems, documentation accuracy, and staff leadership. If you are passionate about supporting students with diverse learning needs, strengthening special education systems, mentoring staff, and helping create a positive and legally sound learning environment — we would love to meet you.
Requirements
- Valid Arizona Special Education certification
- Extensive knowledge of special education law, including IDEA, ADA, and Section 504
- Demonstrated experience ensuring compliance and managing SPED documentation and processes
- Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills with staff, families, and external stakeholders
- Commitment to individualized student support
Nice To Haves
- Prior leadership or administrative experience in special education strongly preferred
- Is highly organized, detail-oriented, and dependable
- Leads with both professionalism and compassion
- Communicates clearly and professionally with families, staff, and leadership
- Maintains calm, solution-oriented leadership in complex situations
- Values both operational excellence and meaningful student support
- Works collaboratively and contributes positively to team culture
- Is teachable, adaptable, and growth-minded
- Can balance compliance oversight with relational leadership
- Believes every student deserves to feel supported, respected, and capable of success
Responsibilities
- Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local special education laws and regulations
- Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Maintain accurate, organized, and audit-ready documentation and reporting systems
- Support and lead SPED teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers
- Coordinate evaluations, eligibility determinations, and IEP meetings
- Collaborate with school leadership, teachers, staff, and families to support student success
- Monitor student progress and overall program effectiveness
- Provide training, guidance, and support regarding compliance and best practices
- Help foster a structured, inclusive, and student-centered campus environment
- Support both operational excellence and relational trust within the SPED program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
