2026-27 EDUCATION SPECIALIST AND SPED COORDINATOR

JOB SUMMARY

The primary role and responsibility of an Education Specialist Teacher is to provide services to special education students with appropriate learning activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. The Special Education teacher will develop instructional materials through accommodated and modified curriculum and  adjusted lesson plans. The Special Education teacher will conduct work in self-contained, push in, team, departmental or itinerant capacity as necessary. Special education teachers and paraprofessionals who are authorized to handle crisis situations and physically restrain students will complete specialized training in behavioral interventions, such as Crisis Prevention Institute, prior to placement in the classroom.

• Work in conjunction with students, parents and other members of staff to develop IEPs where students gain meaningful educational benefit

• Team teach and plan with general education teachers to support the instructional program for students with IEP’s

• Manage caseloads of students assigned by holding IEP meetings and presenting present levels to IEP teams

• Design, write and use instructional, therapeutic or skill development programs for assigned students and ensure written IEP is available for review

• Ensure student needs and learning styles are met through creation and implementation of appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials and equipment

• Collaborate with classroom teacher on student IEP to ensure all accommodations and modifications are being implemented and help special education students in regular class when appropriate

• provide instructional support to all students on their caseload based on the Services documented in the IEP

• Design instructional activities by using data from student learning style assessments

• Ensure IEP guidelines are adhered to  (accommodations, report cards and goals) when presenting subject matter

• Ensure that accommodations outlined in the IEP are input in the TOMS system for student access with the ELPAC, SBAC and all other formative and summative assessments

• Use an assortment of media and techniques to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned

• Produce and oversee teacher aide and volunteer assignments

• Employ Universal Design for Learning technology and Multi- Tiered Systems of Support practices to strengthen the instructional process

• Overseeing special education inventory of equipment / materials. Initiate purchasing of assessment, instructional, sensory and intervention materials as appropriate.

• Produce formal and informal testing to evaluate student success

• Oversee or ensure personal care, medical care and feeding of students as stated in IEP

• Coordinate and manage extracurricular duties as assigned

• Sponsor outside activities approved by the charter principal

• Serve as an example for students, support mission of the charter

• Prepare classroom to enhance learning and to aid in physical, social and emotional development of students

• Control student behavior and implement restorative behavior support  plans. This includes handling crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEPs. Additionally, supporting reflection activities, and restoration back into the school/classroom community.

• Collaborate with the classroom teachers regarding student behavior management programs according to IEPs

• Collaborate with Charter School staff and outside resources regarding education, social, medical and personal needs of students

• Ensure necessary and reasonable measures are taken to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities

• Provide input on book, equipment and material selection

• Ensure good communication rapport with parents, students, principals and teachers through conferences

• Create and maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents and community members

• Present information accurately through clear communication skills

• Enrich job skills through professional development activities

• Keep up to date on and abide by state and charter regulations and policies for classroom teachers\

• Gather, manage and file all reports, records and other documents required

• Be active in faculty meetings and assist in staff committees as necessary

• Provide scalable instructional program leadership to all school leaders with specific responsibility for planning, development, implementation, assessment and improvement across all schools.

• Other job related duties and schedules assigned by supervisor

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, bend, and sit for long periods of time. The employee must also be able to listen and hear students, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and be appropriately mobile, including by escorting students across campus as needed. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualification for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills and perform other related work as required or assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

JOB DUTIES

• Overseeing / managing a caseload of special education students and the implementation of their IEP/504 plans in: inclusive, self-contained and pull-out settings.

• Ensuring appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans.

• Ensuring compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulation relating to students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education.

• Ensuring that services provided by contractual personnel are of high quality, provided in the LRE, and are aligned with students’ IEPs/504 plans.

• Effectively communicating to parents and guardians the special education process including process for referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations.

• Facilitating IEP meetings using a strengths based and family centered approach

• Coordinating with the student's special education team to ensure all documents are completed in a timely manner (according to state, local, and school policies and procedures) prior to meeting. Connect with the special education team to ensure all team members (including parents) are prepared for the content of the meeting.

• Coordinating with a special education team to complete quarterly IEP progress reports and provide quarterly IEP progress reports to parents/guardians.

• Maintaining student files (paper and electronic) according to school, district and state standards.

• Providing training and technical assistance to case managers, teachers, related service providers and support service professionals on all aspects of cases management: use of computer systems for the special education process, goal writing, progress reports, annual reviews and parent communication.

• Ensuring IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards -based, strength based, and relevant to individual students.

• Working to maintain a school and data system that includes: student information related to IEPs, services, service hours, evaluations, referrals, timelines in which evaluations were completed and discipline incidents.

• Supporting the planning of special education initiatives and the implementation of initiatives. Integrates new developments, research findings and best practices into ongoing programs and new initiatives.

• Representing school as a subject matter expert in contact with district, state, Federal Agencies and non- profits concerning students with special needs.

• Overseeing special education inventory of equipment / materials.

• Identifying and developing appropriate curriculum and school based assessments to support the academic growth of students with IEPs/504 plans.

• Gathering and reporting data for all reporting requirements concerning students with IEPs/504 plans and other required reports (to the State, Department of Education, census, grant applications, annual report, etc.).

• Maintaining a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues such as changes in federal and local special education policy.

• Advocating for special education with school leadership.

• Establishing and maintaining communication with parents of students in the program.

• Facilitating workshops / meetings for parents, as well as identifies resources for parents of students with special needs.

• Engaging parents and families in their student’s learning and acting as an ambassador for the school in the community.

• As appropriate, connecting with students outside providers, pediatricians, and therapists to support student’s needs in the classroom.

• Co-Coordinating subject related programs

• Maintaining confidentiality of student records and student information

• Other job related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Credentialed ED Specialist/ School Administrator / School Psychologist 

• 2-3 years of experience as a credentialed teacher or education specialist

• Knowledge in Special Education laws, policies, regulations, compliance and CDE procedures (preferred)

• United States work authorization