Special Education Teacher : Mod / Severe

Job Description

Job Description

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.

Position Description

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.

Our Ideal Candidate

• 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

Essential Functions

Instruction & Inclusion

Case Management & Compliance

Behavior & Family Partnership

Rocketship Professional Culture

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demands :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation :

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy.  For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.