At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.
Position Description
A Rocketship Special Educator, known as an Education Specialist, is a full time position that reports to the Principal. The Education Specialist will work with one or more school sites, and will be responsible for managing the IEP caseload for Rocketship students who require special education services as outlined in their IEPs. The role of the Education Specialist is to improve student outcomes through targeted academic and behavioral support.
Rocketship's collaborative learning environment reaches well beyond the classroom. Annual teacher home visits, monthly parent community meetings, and a vibrant parent volunteer network create solid relationships, a rich school culture and a devoted community that propels student achievement.
Special Education Teachers report to their Principal or an Assistant Principal.
Our Ideal Candidate
- Has experience with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and is knowledgeable about how to lead an IEP meeting
- A fierce advocate for themselves, students and families
- Demonstrates an awareness of Special Education best practices, laws, and regulations in order to support students
- Familiar with multiple methods to support students with special needs with behavioral and social emotional needs
- A team player who collaborates cross functionally and can jump into a fast paced environment, working on multiple competing priorities daily
- Knowledge of ABA behavioral practices
Essential Functions
- The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Ensure that all students realize rigorous academic goals outlined in their IEP along with our core content. Our goal is that each Rocketeer grows at least 1.5 years.
- Collaborate with school team, families, and related service providers for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum.
- Provide one-to-one or small group instruction, direct services and push in or pull out instruction as required by IEP
- Co-teach with general educators and related service providers to ensure inclusive education practices for all students
- Coordinate referral and assessment procedures and facilitate the coordination of IEP team meetings and the implementation of special education services (Speech, Occupational therapy, etc.)
- Evaluate students’ academic abilities for the purpose of collaboration with team members to create and implement the best educational program like the diagnosis of learning disabilities, development of intervention plans for foundational needs and/or student progress
- Collaborate with Psychologists and Related Service Providers for evaluations and when needed, administer academic assessments. Review and interpret the results to determine our learners’ strengths and areas of need for initial, annual and triennial IEP meetings.
- In collaboration with general educators, provide accommodations and/or modifications to learners with disabilities to provide access to grade level content and demonstrate her or his true understanding on assessments as determined by the IEP team
Student and Parent Partnership:
- Instruct students for the purpose of improving their success in assigned basic academic subject areas of reading, writing and/or math
- Draft and write professional and compliant IEPs,facilitate IEP meetings and ensure our online IEP system and school based files are compliant and reflect a Rocketeer’s Individual Education Program
- Develop Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as needed
- Manage student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment
- Engage with families on academic and behavioral goals and transparently share student progress so that both parents and teachers own each child's successes and challenges.
Rocketship Professional Culture:
- Collaborate with General Educators to engage families and school communities through various meetings (IEP, Parent Conferences, In Service Training, Staff Meetings etc.)
- Provide leadership for ensuring full compliance with legal requirements as prescribed by federal law under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act 1997) and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act, 2004) as well as state laws and regulations
- Collaborate with families as educational partners and provide ability awareness as needed
- Meet all professional obligations and proactively communicate when changes come up
- Exhibit a high level of honest and humble self-reflection owning good and bad outcomes
- Effectively respond to and implement constructive feedback
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and contribute to positive staff culture
- Collaborate with all staff members to ensure that all students have consistent and well-coordinated support
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Valid Special Education Teaching Credential
- Preferred: knowledge of curriculum, education code and special education law/policies
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.
Compensation:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.
Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy.
For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.
