Special Education Teacher

Rocketship Public Schools•Smyrna, TN

16d•$54,048 - $86,260•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 excellent education and an inclusive school experience by providing individualized instruction, accommodations, modifications, and targeted supports. Students learn alongside peers whenever possible and receive additional instruction in smaller groups or specialized settings. Education Specialists manage a caseload of no more than 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 weekly case-management time 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 work closely with general educators, paraprofessionals, families, psychologists, and related service providers. They implement behavior supports, including Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans, and use approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis and crisis intervention. 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

Hold a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution.
Hold a valid Practitioner License with a 144–145 Special Education Interventionist Endorsement upon hire.
Maintain active, good-standing credential status throughout employment.
Commit to weekly coaching, professional development, collaboration, self-reflection, and student-centered practice.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, or related settings.
Background or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles.
Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and effective inclusion practices.
Growth-oriented approach and eagerness to learn from feedback and coaching.
Experience coordinating services, writing compliant IEPs, and partnering with paraprofessionals, families, and general education teachers.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and closing opportunity gaps for students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized and small-group instruction, including push-in and pull-out support, to help students access grade-level content and meet IEP goals aligned with Common Core standards and Rocketship core content.
Co-teach with general education teachers and support the use of 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, IDEA, and state law.
Draft and write compliant IEPs, facilitate IEP meetings, and maintain accurate records in the IEP system.
Collaborate with psychologists and related service providers, including speech and occupational therapy providers, to interpret assessments and coordinate appropriate services.
Communicate with families and team members about IEP goals, accommodations, and student progress.
Develop and implement responsive behavior supports, including BSPs and BIPs, in partnership with students, families, and school staff.
Apply behavior-support strategies, including ABA principles, to promote positive behavior and safe, supportive learning environments.
Partner with families through IEP meetings, regular communication, and home visits.
Participate in weekly coaching and ongoing professional development to strengthen instructional and case-management practices.
Collaborate with school staff to engage families and school communities through meetings, conferences, and trainings.
Maintain compliance with IDEA and state law and contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented staff culture.