Special Education Therapeutic Support Specialist

Start Date: 2026-27 School Year

Location: Columbia Heights Middle Academy

Reports to: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Updated: December 2025

The Special Education Therapeutic Support Specialist provides direct therapeutic and counseling-related support services to students receiving special education services whose social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs impact educational access, participation, and progress. Services are delivered as part of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are designed to support emotional regulation, coping skills, social-emotional functioning, self-advocacy, and access to instruction within the school setting.

This role focuses on proactive, therapeutic intervention through individual support, therapeutic small groups, and collaboration with educational teams. The position is distinct from traditional school social work roles and is primarily responsible for delivering IEP-related therapeutic services and monitoring student progress toward counseling and social-emotional goals.

The Special Education Therapeutic Support Specialist works collaboratively with special education teachers, related service providers, families, administrators, and school support staff to help students successfully access and participate in their educational program in the least restrictive environment.

Prodeo Academy is a network of public charter schools serving the Twin Cities. Prodeo Academy is a meaningful education solution that is closing the opportunity gap through data-driven instruction in a culture grounded in five core values: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Development, and Engagement. Shared expectations around these values enhance the opportunity for scholars to reach their full potential. We seek team members who are committed to helping students access greater opportunities, achieve future success, and contribute positively to their communities.

The following duties represent the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Direct Therapeutic Services

• Provide direct therapeutic and counseling-related support services to students receiving special education services.
• Deliver services aligned to student IEP goals, accommodations, and related service minutes.
• Support students in developing:
  • emotional regulation skills
  • coping strategies
  • self-advocacy skills
  • executive functioning skills
  • problem-solving strategies
  • social-emotional competencies
  • behavioral replacement skills
• Utilize evidence-based and developmentally appropriate therapeutic practices within the school setting.
• Support students whose emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs impact educational functioning and school participation.

Therapeutic Small Groups

• Plan and facilitate therapeutic small-group interventions based on student needs and IEP goals.
• Develop and implement groups focused on areas such as:
  • social skills
  • emotional regulation
  • anxiety management
  • coping strategies
  • executive functioning
  • peer relationships
  • self-awareness and self-advocacy
• Monitor student progress and adjust interventions based on student response and data.

Special Education & IEP Responsibilities

• Participate as a related service provider within the special education process.
• Attend IEP meetings and contribute to present levels, goal development, service recommendations, and progress updates.
• Develop and monitor counseling-related and social-emotional IEP goals.
• Maintain documentation of service delivery and student progress in accordance with district and special education requirements.
• Collaborate with special education case managers and related service providers to ensure coordinated support for students.

Collaboration & Consultation

• Collaborate with teachers and educational teams to support implementation of student accommodations, regulation supports, and therapeutic strategies within the classroom setting.
• Provide consultation to staff regarding:
  • emotional regulation supports
  • coping strategies
  • trauma-informed practices
  • social-emotional skill development
  • student engagement and participation
• Collaborate with families to support consistency between school-based therapeutic interventions and student needs.
• Work collaboratively with school psychologists, social workers, special education staff, and administrators to support student success.

Progress Monitoring & Documentation

• Collect and maintain data related to student progress toward IEP goals and therapeutic interventions
• Maintain accurate service logs and documentation in accordance with district, state, and federal requirements
• Monitor effectiveness of interventions and make recommendations for adjustments as appropriate
• Support teams in identifying barriers impacting student access, participation, and progress in the educational environment

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all…