Special Education Teacher: Mod/Severe

Rocketship Public Schools•Concord, CA

12d

About The Position

Rocketship Special Education Teachers, known as Education Specialists (Moderate/Severe Support Needs), serve students with significant support needs, including intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, and communication or behavioral challenges. They support inclusive education by helping students learn alongside their peers whenever possible while also providing individualized instruction in smaller groups or specialized settings. They collaborate with general educators and lead paraprofessionals to provide accommodations, modifications, and targeted support, and manage a caseload at a single school. Instruction includes functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions, with responsibility for 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 Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans, model strategies for paraprofessionals, and use approaches including Applied Behavior Analysis and crisis intervention to support safe learning environments. Education Specialists report to their Principal or an Assistant Principal. The listed salary range is $74,200–$86,670 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution.
Valid Moderate/Severe Support Needs credential, or eligibility for a Provisional Internship Permit (PIP) or Short-Term Staff Permit (STSP).
Current CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross for candidates using a PIP or STSP; certification must be active or completed before the start date.
Maintain active, good-standing credential status throughout employment.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally climbing ladders.

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 or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis principles.
Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and effective inclusion practices.
Growth-oriented approach and willingness to learn from feedback, coaching, and ongoing professional development.
Collaborative approach and interest in developing case management expertise, including coordinating services, writing compliant IEPs, and partnering with paraprofessionals, families, and general education teachers.
Equity-driven and resilient commitment to meaningful inclusion and closing opportunity gaps for students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Ensure students work toward and achieve the academic and functional goals in their IEPs.
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, push-in and pull-out support, and meaningful inclusion opportunities in general education classrooms.
Lead and coach paraprofessionals in implementing accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports.
Manage an IEP caseload in alignment with state regulations and ensure compliance with 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 and, when needed, administer academic assessments; review and interpret results for initial, annual, and triennial IEP meetings.
Communicate with families and team members about student progress, goals, and accommodations.
Develop and implement responsive behavior supports in partnership with students, families, and school staff.
Oversee Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans and ensure staff apply strategies consistently.
Apply Applied Behavior Analysis principles and crisis intervention techniques to maintain safe, supportive learning environments.
Partner with families through IEP meetings, regular communication, and home visits.
Participate in weekly coaching, including real-time classroom coaching, and ongoing professional development.
Reflect on practice, take ownership of outcomes, and learn from experience.
Collaborate with educators, paraprofessionals, and related service providers to provide meaningful inclusion and consistent student support.
Collaborate with general educators to engage families and school communities through meetings, conferences, and trainings.
Uphold IDEA and state-law compliance and contribute to a positive, collaborative staff culture.