Special Education Teacher: Mild/Moderate Support Needs – 2026-2027 School Year

Rocketship Public Schools•Milwaukee, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Special Education Teachers, also known as Education Specialists, play a critical role in ensuring that every student has access to an excellent, inclusive education. The Education Specialist supporting students with moderate to severe support needs provides individualized academic, functional, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional support to students with significant disabilities. This role serves students with a range of support needs, including students with intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, communication needs, behavioral needs, and adaptive skill needs. Education Specialists work closely with students, families, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, school leaders, and related service providers to ensure students receive appropriate instruction, services, accommodations, modifications, and supports aligned to their Individualized Education Programs. At Rocketship, we believe in the power of inclusive education. Education Specialists support students in general education settings whenever appropriate, while also providing individualized instruction in small-group, pull-out, and specialized settings based on student needs. This role requires strong collaboration, thoughtful behavior support, effective case management, and a deep commitment to helping students make meaningful growth. Education Specialists manage an assigned caseload at a single school site and are responsible for developing compliant IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, monitoring student progress, supporting paraprofessionals, and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with IDEA, state law, and Rocketship expectations. Education Specialists report to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Valid Wisconsin Lifetime License or Provisional License in the appropriate Cross-Categorical Special Education endorsement; or eligibility to obtain a 1-Year License with Stipulations and enroll in an accredited credentialing program during the first year of employment with Rocketship.
Ability to maintain active and good-standing credential status throughout employment.
Strong commitment to supporting students with moderate to severe support needs.
Ability to develop, implement, and monitor legally compliant IEPs.
Ability to provide individualized instruction and support aligned to students’ IEP goals and needs.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and school leaders.
Strong organization skills and ability to meet timelines, manage records, and maintain compliance.
Commitment to Rocketship Public Schools’ mission, vision, and goals.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, intervention, or a related setting.
Experience supporting students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Experience providing instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication, and behavioral support.
Experience writing IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, and managing a special education caseload.
Experience leading, coaching, or supporting paraprofessionals.
Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and inclusive education practices.
Background or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis principles and positive behavior support strategies.
Experience supporting augmentative and alternative communication systems.
Experience collaborating with related service providers and multidisciplinary school teams.
Experience supporting students in an elementary school setting.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized, small-group, push-in, and pull-out instruction to support students with moderate to severe support needs.
Support students in making meaningful progress toward academic, functional, communication, behavioral, social-emotional, and adaptive goals outlined in their IEPs.
Deliver instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication, and foundational academic skills aligned to student needs and applicable standards.
Support students’ access to grade-level content, school routines, classroom participation, and inclusive learning opportunities whenever appropriate.
Implement accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids, services, and individualized supports as outlined in students’ IEPs.
Use curriculum, instructional materials, assistive technology, and communication supports, including augmentative and alternative communication systems when appropriate.
Collaborate with general education teachers to promote meaningful inclusion and ensure students receive consistent support across settings.
Lead, support, and coach paraprofessionals to ensure high-quality implementation of student supports, accommodations, modifications, behavior plans, and instructional strategies.
Use student data, progress monitoring, and team input to adjust instruction and student growth.
Manage an assigned IEP caseload in accordance with IDEA, state law, and school/network expectations.
Draft, write, and maintain high-quality, legally compliant IEPs.
Facilitate and participate in IEP meetings, including annual reviews, reevaluations, amendments, and other required meetings.
Ensure online IEP systems and school-based files are accurate, organized, timely, and compliant.
Monitor student progress toward IEP goals and provide required progress updates.
Collaborate with school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other related service providers to support evaluations, services, and programming.
Review and interpret assessment information to help identify student strengths, areas of need, and appropriate services and supports.
Communicate regularly with families and team members regarding student goals, accommodations, services, progress, and support needs.
Maintain compliance with timelines, service delivery requirements, documentation expectations, and confidentiality requirements.
Approach student behavior with the belief that behavior communicates a need and requires thoughtful, proactive, and individualized support.
Partner with students, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and school leaders to develop and implement responsive behavior supports.
Implement and support Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans, as appropriate.
Ensure paraprofessionals and teachers understand and consistently apply behavior support strategies.
Use positive behavior support practices to help create safe, structured, predictable, and supportive learning environments.
Apply foundational behavior support strategies, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis when appropriate and aligned to student needs.
Support crisis prevention, de-escalation, and response practices in accordance with school policies, training, and student plans.
Build strong, trusting relationships with families through regular communication, IEP meetings, conferences, and other family engagement opportunities.
Collaborate with families and school teams to support transparency, shared ownership, and student growth.
Participate fully in coaching, feedback, observation, and professional development to strengthen instructional, behavioral, and case management practices.
Collaborate effectively with general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, school leaders, and families.
Act with urgency and professionalism in the best interests of students.
Engage in self-reflection and take ownership of student outcomes, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
Communicate openly and proactively with families, staff, and school leaders.
Contribute to a positive, team-oriented staff culture focused on inclusion, collaboration, compliance, and student success.
Uphold high expectations for all students and maintain a strong commitment to equity and access for students with disabilities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or appropriate administrator.