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, are crucial for ensuring every student receives an excellent, inclusive education. They provide academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and case management support to students with mild to moderate support needs, aligning with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Rocketship emphasizes inclusive education, with Education Specialists collaborating with students, families, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, school leaders, and related service providers to support students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. This involves co-teaching, small-group instruction, push-in and pull-out support, progress monitoring, and implementing accommodations and modifications. Education Specialists manage a caseload at a single school site, responsible for compliant IEP development, IEP meeting facilitation, progress monitoring, and ensuring service delivery according to IDEA, state law, and Rocketship's standards. They receive coaching from school leaders and special education support staff to enhance instructional practice, case management, compliance, and inclusive student support. 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 mild to moderate support needs.
Ability to develop, implement, and monitor legally compliant IEPs.
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 providing instruction or support to students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Experience writing IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, and managing a special education caseload.
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 collaborating with paraprofessionals, 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’ access to grade-level content and progress toward IEP goals.
Support students in working toward rigorous academic goals aligned to their IEPs, grade-level standards, and Rocketship’s instructional expectations.
Co-teach and collaborate with general education teachers to support meaningful inclusion in the classroom.
Implement accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids, and services as outlined in students’ IEPs.
Partner with paraprofessionals to ensure students receive consistent, high-quality support across classroom and school settings.
Use student data, progress monitoring, and team input to adjust instructional strategies and supports.
Support students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional growth in collaboration with the broader school team.
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.
Maintain accurate, timely, and organized documentation in the IEP system.
Monitor student progress toward IEP goals and provide required progress updates.
Collaborate with school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers to support appropriate services and programming.
Communicate regularly with families and team members regarding IEP goals, accommodations, services, and student progress.
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 support.
Partner with students, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, and school leaders to implement behavior supports, Behavior Support Plans, and Behavior Intervention Plans, as appropriate.
Use positive behavior support strategies to help create safe, structured, and supportive learning environments.
Apply foundational behavior support practices, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis when appropriate and aligned to student needs.
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.