Special Education Teacher: Mod/Severe

Rocketship Public Schools•San Jose, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocketship Special Education Teachers, known as Education Specialists (Moderate/Severe Support Needs), support students with significant support needs, including intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, and communication or behavioral challenges. The role advances inclusive education by helping students learn alongside peers whenever possible while providing individualized instruction in smaller groups or specialized settings. Education Specialists collaborate with general educators and lead paraprofessionals to deliver accommodations, modifications, and targeted supports. The position manages a caseload at one school and provides instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions while ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law. Specialists receive weekly coaching from school leaders and additional coaching from a Special Education Program Specialist. They partner with families and staff to implement behavior plans, model strategies for paraprofessionals, and use approaches including Applied Behavior Analysis and crisis intervention to support safe learning environments. The role reports to a Principal or Assistant Principal.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science 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).
For candidates using a PIP or STSP, hold active CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, or be willing to complete CPR certification before starting.
Maintain active, good-standing credential status throughout employment.
Growth-oriented, receptive to feedback and coaching, and committed to ongoing professional development.
Collaborative and willing to build case management expertise, coordinate services, write compliant IEPs, and partner with paraprofessionals, families, and general education teachers.
Committed to meaningful inclusion, equity, and closing opportunity gaps for students with disabilities.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 50 pounds and occasional ladder climbing; reasonable accommodations may be made.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, or related settings.
Experience leading or coaching paraprofessionals.
Background in or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis principles.
Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and effective inclusion practices.

Responsibilities

Help students achieve the academic and functional goals in their IEPs and make meaningful annual growth.
Deliver academic instruction, functional and adaptive skills instruction, 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 inclusion in general education classrooms.
Lead and coach paraprofessionals in consistently implementing accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports.
Manage an IEP caseload in compliance with state regulations, IDEA, and state law.
Draft and write IEPs, facilitate IEP meetings, and maintain compliant, accurate online and school-based records.
Collaborate with psychologists and related service providers on evaluations; administer academic assessments when needed and interpret results for initial, annual, and triennial IEP meetings.
Communicate with families and team members about student progress, goals, and accommodations.
Develop responsive behavior supports in partnership with students, families, and school staff, recognizing that behavior communicates needs.
Implement and oversee Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans, ensuring staff apply strategies consistently.
Use intensive behavior support practices, including Applied Behavior Analysis principles and crisis intervention techniques.
Partner with families through IEP meetings, regular communications, and home visits.
Participate in weekly coaching and ongoing professional development.
Reflect on performance, take ownership of outcomes, and learn from experience.
Collaborate with general educators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, families, and school communities to support inclusion and student growth.
Engage families and school communities through IEP meetings, parent conferences, staff meetings, and trainings.
Uphold legal and instructional compliance standards for IEPs and services and contribute to a collaborative staff culture.
Work toward student growth and impact; the role is eligible for performance-based pay.