Special Education Teacher: Mod​/Severe

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.

Rocketship Special Education Teachers, known as Education Specialists (Moderate/Severe Support Needs), play a critical role in ensuring every student has access to an excellent education. Specialists serve students with significant support needs, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, and communication or behavioral challenges.

At Rocketship, we believe in the power of inclusive education. Our model ensures that students with disabilities learn alongside their peers whenever possible, while also receiving individualized instruction in smaller group or specialized settings. Education Specialists collaborate with general educators and lead paraprofessionals to provide accommodations, modifications, and targeted supports, creating classrooms where all students thrive together.

Specialists manage a caseload at a single school, delivering instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions while ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law. They are supported through weekly coaching from school leaders and additional coaching from a Special Education Program Specialist to strengthen practice and sustain growth.

Behavior support is also central to the role. Specialists partner with families and staff to implement Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), model strategies for paraprofessionals, and use approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and crisis intervention to maintain safe, supportive learning environments.

Education Specialists report to their Principal or an Assistant Principal.

• Growth‑oriented, eager to learn from feedback and coaching, and committed to ongoing professional development
• Experienced in supporting diverse learners, with at least 2 years working in special education, behavioral support, or related settings (preferred)
• Collaborative and eager to build case management expertise, coordinating services, writing compliant IEPs, and partnering with paraprofessionals, families, and general education teachers
• Experienced in behavior supports, with a background or understanding of basic Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, and a belief that all student behaviors communicate underlying needs that deserve thoughtful support
• Equity‑driven and resilient, committed to meaningful inclusion and closing opportunity gaps for students with disabilities

• The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure that all students work toward and achieve the rigorous academic and functional goals outlined in their IEPs; our goal is that each Rocketeer makes meaningful annual growth
• Deliver a combination of academic instruction, functional/adaptive skills, and communication supports (including augmentative and alternative communication systems), using STAR curriculum aligned with Common Core Standards
• Provide individualized and small‑group instruction, as well as push‑in and pull‑out support, balancing specialized settings with opportunities for meaningful inclusion in general education classrooms
• Lead and coach paraprofessionals to ensure consistent, high‑quality implementation of accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports

• Own and manage an IEP caseload aligned with state regulations, ensuring compliance with…