Special Education Department Lead Teacher 1.0 FTE (195 days per school year

Special Education Department Lead

Are you a passionate Special Education professional ready to expand your impact beyond a single classroom? As our Special Education Department Lead, you will serve as a vital bridge between school administration, educators, and families. You will play a pivotal role in mentoring teachers, elevating instructional strategies, and ensuring every student receives the high-quality support they deserve. If you are a collaborative problem-solver who thrives on empowering colleagues and navigating due process with confidence, we want you on our team!

High-Impact Mentorship:
Share your expertise by coaching educators, shaping classroom strategies, and elevating department-wide best practices. Leadership Focus:
Depending on building allocation, enjoy dedicated leadership and coaching time designed to help you support your team without standard teaching constraints. Built-In Prep Time:
Includes 5 extra paid days between July 1 and June 30 to help you get a head start on scheduling, enrollment facilitation, and specialized training.

What You'll Do

• Instructional Leadership & Mentorship:
  Provide hands-on coaching and mentoring to special education staff, fostering best practices in high-quality instruction, behavior intervention, and due process. Serve as the primary Special Education representative on Student Support Teams to proactively address student needs. Consult with general and special education staff to implement accommodations and behavior plans that drive student achievement.
• Compliance & Program
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner closely with Building Principals and the Director of Special Services to align site practices with state/federal regulations and district goals. Facilitate and attend key IEP meetings, manifestation determinations, and conciliation or mediation conferences as needed. Keep a finger on the pulse of team workloads, proactively communicating with administration to maintain a balanced, supported workplace.
• Operations & Support:
  Assist with daily schedules and coverage planning to ensure seamless operations during staff absences. Help monitor and manage department expenditures so staff and students have access to essential tools and materials. Perform other job-related leadership duties to support the overall health of the SPED department.

What You Bring

Licensure:
Valid Minnesota teaching license in Special Education or a related service area.

Education:

Bachelor's degree required;
Master's/Advanced degree highly desirable. Expertise:
Deep working knowledge of SPED due process best practices, curriculum frameworks, and instructional technology.

Soft Skills:

Outstanding communication, active listening, dynamic problem-solving, and strong organizational skills. Mindset: A self-starter who thrives both independently and as part of a collaborative, student-centered team.

Position & Allocation Details

FTE Allocations:
Position FTE (.5 or 1.0) is determined by the building's special education student population. Programs with 36+ students: 1.0 positions are dedicated leadership roles (no teaching assignment or direct caseload). Programs with under 36 students: 1.0 positions blend department leadership with a teaching assignment and direct caseload. Calendar:
Standard school year contract + 5 additional days assigned for annual training, building scheduling, and enrollment support. Application Procedure:
Apply online