Special Education Instructional Coach
Listed on 2026-07-01
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Education / Teaching
Special Education Teacher, Special Needs / Learning Disabilities
Special Education Instructional Coach
Putnam Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Instructional Coach to support the district's self-contained programs, focusing primarily on grades K8 during the first year. Working collaboratively with teachers, para educators, and administrators, this professional will provide non-evaluative support through classroom observations, instructional modeling, curriculum modification, and behavior-plan coaching. The ultimate goal is to build staff capacity, improve program consistency, and ensure students with significant academic, behavioral, and developmental needs receive high-quality, individualized instruction in the least restrictive environment.
Instructional Coaching & Curriculum Modification:
Support K8 self-contained teachers with multi-grade lesson planning, model specialized strategies, and modify general education curricula to align with IEP goals.
Behavioral & SEL Support:
Help teams develop proactive classroom behavioral systems, implement BIPs, use de-escalation strategies, and integrate SEL routines.
Staff Capacity Building:
Conduct non-evaluative classroom observations; provide timely, practical feedback to teachers and para educators to build instructional confidence and promote student independence.
Program Consistency & Framework Development:
Collaborate with staff to design a shared K8 self-contained program framework, utilizing common templates for schedules, data collection, and daily routines.
Inclusion Advocacy:
Coordinate meaningful participation for specialized program students alongside typical peers in classes, electives, and school wide events.
Multidisciplinary
Collaboration:
Meet regularly with administrators and related service providers to streamline student transitions and ensure proper IEP execution.
Valid Connecticut Special Education Certification, or other appropriate district-approved instructional credential. Extensive experience working directly with students who have significant academic, behavioral, or developmental needs. Deep understanding of IEP implementation, specially designed instruction (SDI), curriculum modifications, and progress monitoring. Proven ability to coach, model strategies, and provide non-evaluative feedback to adults across multiple buildings.
Prior experience teaching in a specialized or self-contained special education program setting. Specialized training in autism, intellectual disabilities, crisis de-escalation (e.g., PMT, CPI), trauma-informed practices, or functional behavior data analysis. Experience creating shared data-collection tools or leading professional development for certified staff and para educators.
$56,198 - $100,761 per year (determined by contractual agreement)
Start Date:
August 24, 2026
External Applicants:
Please submit your application through our website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Internal Applicants:
Please submit a letter of interest to Rebecca Lopes, Director of Student Services Final date to receive applications:
Open until filled Equal Opportunity Employer
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