Special Education Teacher

Rocketship Public Schools•Nashville, TN

14d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocketship Special Education Teachers, known as Education Specialists, support students with significant support needs, including intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, and communication or behavioral challenges. They help students access an inclusive, high-quality education through individualized instruction, accommodations, modifications, and targeted supports. Students learn alongside peers whenever possible and receive additional instruction in smaller groups or specialized settings as appropriate. Education Specialists manage a caseload capped at 18 students at a single school site. They provide instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions while ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law. The role includes 2–4 hours of dedicated case-management time each week for IEP preparation, progress monitoring, family communication, documentation, and collaboration with service providers. Specialists are not responsible for operational duties such as arrival, dismissal, lunch coverage, or substitute classroom coverage. Specialists partner with families and school staff to implement Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans, model strategies for paraprofessionals, and use approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis and crisis intervention to support safe and structured learning environments. They receive weekly coaching from school leaders and specialized coaching from a Special Education Program Specialist. The position reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution.
Valid Practitioner License with a 144–145 Special Education Interventionist Endorsement upon hire.
Maintain active and good-standing credential status throughout employment with Rocketship.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, or related settings.
Background in or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis principles.
Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and effective inclusion practices.
Growth-oriented approach, openness to feedback and coaching, and commitment to ongoing professional development.
Experience supporting diverse learners.
Collaborative approach and interest in developing case-management expertise, writing compliant IEPs, coordinating services, and partnering with paraprofessionals, families, and general education teachers.
Understanding of behavior supports and the belief that student behavior communicates underlying needs.
Equity-driven and resilient commitment to meaningful inclusion and closing opportunity gaps for students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized and small-group instruction, including push-in and pull-out support, so students can access grade-level content and work toward IEP goals aligned with Common Core standards and Rocketship’s core content.
Co-teach with general education teachers to support accommodations, modifications, and meaningful inclusion.
Partner with paraprofessionals to provide consistent, high-quality student support across settings.
Manage an IEP caseload in accordance with state regulations and comply with IDEA and state law.
Draft and write compliant IEPs, facilitate IEP meetings, and maintain accurate, current records in the IEP system.
Collaborate with psychologists and related service providers, including speech and occupational therapy providers, to interpret assessments and ensure appropriate services.
Communicate with families and team members about IEP goals, accommodations, and student progress.
Partner with students, families, and staff to develop responsive behavioral supports, including Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans.
Apply behavior-support strategies, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, to promote positive behavior and 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 both successful and challenging experiences.
Collaborate with educators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, families, and school communities through meetings, conferences, and trainings.
Communicate proactively with families and contribute to a culture of trust and partnership.
Uphold legal and instructional standards for IEPs and services.
Contribute to a positive, collaborative staff culture.
May be eligible for performance-based pay tied to student growth and impact.