Special Education Coordinator - Talbot Community School

Special Education Coordinator - Talbot Community School

Title: Special Education Coordinator Talbot Community School

Under the supervision of the building Principal, the Special Education (SE) Coordinator supports the school’s special education team to ensure that all students requiring special education and related services receive appropriate instruction, programming, and support. This role directly supports Portland Public Schools’ five‑year strategic plan focused on building capacity to provide more effective instruction to students with disabilities, as well as improving academic and social‑emotional outcomes and promoting equity.

The Coordinator is responsible for organizing and monitoring all SE programs and services in the school, providing direct support to teachers and education technology specialists at the classroom level, serving as the school’s LEA representative, participating in the leadership team(s), and working closely with elementary network teams, the central office special education team, families, and community partners.

• Coordinate the building‑based special education team, facilitating regular meetings and check‑ins with SE staff.
• Serve on the school leadership team as the point person for all matters relating to special education.
• Collaborate with the leadership team on scheduling to ensure all required special education services are provided to students.
• Attend monthly Special Education Coordinator meetings to align the school with district practices.
• Coordinate the scheduling of all IEP meetings and serve as LEA representative for all Individual Educational Program (IEP) meetings.
• Monitor IEP processes and paperwork to ensure compliance with laws, policies, and timelines.
• Review all IEPs and other SE documents before finalization, including initial referrals.
• Manage grade‑span transition processes for students with IEPs (e.g., CDS to K, 5th to 6th).
• Serve as case manager for students in private school placements as assigned by the network Director of Special Education.
• Submit requests for district‑level resources (specialized transportation, 1:1 adult support, specialized programs, etc.) to the Director for approval.
• Collaborate with SE case managers to ensure appropriate achievement testing and observations per referral and reevaluation processes.
• Support the implementation of standardized testing accommodations and alternate assessments.
• Consult with the RTI/MTSS team to provide special education expertise and information.
• Support classroom and other teachers in understanding each child’s disability and sharing accommodations with all staff working with that child.
• Deliver special education professional development to SE staff in collaboration with network Directors of Special Education.
• Consult general and special education teachers on evidence‑based instructional strategies and methodologies for students with IEPs.
• Manage SE staffing on a day‑to‑day basis, reassigning staff for absences and providing coverage when staffing is critically low.
• Serve as a mentor for new special education teachers.
• Perform additional duties/tasks as assigned by the Principal or the Director of Special Education or Assistant Superintendent.

• Commitment to delivering positive academic and social‑emotional outcomes for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
• Commitment to advancing equity in education.
• Self‑awareness, openness to feedback, and eagerness to develop professionally.
• Strong relationship‑building and interpersonal skills with a proven track record of collaborating while delivering exceptional results.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Well‑developed technology skills, especially using Google or Microsoft applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• At least three years of experience leading IEP meetings and/or assigned LEA representative responsibilities.
• [Preferred] At least three years of special education teaching experience.
• [Preferred] Maine State Teaching Certificate with…