Assistant Principal of Integrated Special Education (ISE)

Assistant Principals (APs) of Integrated Special Education (ISE) at Rocketship are charged with driving academic achievement for students and building a rigorous college preparatory school culture.

Every AP at Rocketship works closely with their Principal to lead and implement the instructional and case management vision for all students with IEPs and 504 Plans.

APs manage and coach special education team special education teachers, paraprofessionals and related service providers by leading core special education collaboration practices leading data analysis cycles, regularly observing classrooms, providing continuous feedback, and co-planning units of study and lesson plans aimed at increasing educator effectiveness and leadership.

APs also serve as cultural and community leaders by building teacher capacity in culture, behavior, and parent engagement.

Rocketship campuses are supported by a school leadership team that includes the Principal, Assistant Principals, a Business Operations Manager, and an Office Manager.

APs share responsibility across the school leadership team for professional development, culture and behavior in common spaces, and special events.

Together, they lead a team of teachers, tutors, enrichment coordinators, and support staff who collectively deliver gap-closing, personalized instruction to students from pre-K to fifth grade.

Rocketship attracts school leaders with ambitious aspirations. Just as we are committing to propelling student growth we are dedicated to advancing the careers of our exceptional talent.

As an AP of ISE, you will receive ongoing professional development in conducting rigorous observations, providing meaningful feedback, and executing useful planning and analysis.

Additionally, Rocketship is a rapidly growing network which provides APs with a number of career paths both within our schools and on the Network Support Team.

Reports to the Principal and direct reports include special education team (teachers & paraprofessionals) related service providers, enrichment center coordinators and tutors.

Our Ideal Candidate :

• Believes that adult preparation is essential to student success.
• Has a desire to become an elementary content expert and is eager to use that knowledge to develop teachers who demonstrate excellence in their planning and execution of lessons.
• Understands that creating equal access to opportunity for all is hard work but deeply rewarding and within their control.

Essential Functions : Developing Effective Educators

• Manage and coach special education teachers, paraprofessionals and school based related service providers.
• Collaborate with external related service providersCollaborate with School Leader Team and General Education teachers to have exemplary special education services that meet a student’s need and are consistently in compliance.
• Rocketship Assistant Principals are deeply committed to the success of each Rocketeer and the daily workload reflects that commitment.
• Foster a rigorous and college preparatory culture of excellence in every classroom that ensures high levels of student achievement.
• Manage and coach special education teams to build content expertise in Humanities or STEM for co-teaching and small group instructionEngage in cycles of data driven instruction and assessments to inform planning and personalize instruction to student needs.
• Ensure at least years of progress for all Rocketeers annually through management and planning.
• Collaborate with the Special Education team to ensure teachers are receiving the necessary support and training to maximize the delivery of instruction in our full inclusion model.

Other duties as assigned.

Teaching : Assistant Principals will at times be required to step in and teach to either model for teachers, provide assistance to teachers or the school community, or to more deeply internalize the school model.

Additionally, as part of onboarding, all new Rocketship Assistant Principals will be expected to teach for three or more weeks to learn the curriculum and model.

Essential Functions : Case Management Leadership

• Lead the case management systems and practices for the school
• Provide coaching and feedback on all IEP practices including but not limited to IEP Drafts, IEP Meeting Facilitation, Progress Monitoring of IEP goals, Service tracking among others.
• Ensure the school team is holding compliant IEP meetings that consistently meet deadlines (meetings and evaluations)
• Act as LEA Representative for IEP meetings
• Collaborate with the school, regional and national team for advocate and attorney engagement on campus
• Monitoring student progress towards IEP goal attainment.
• Monitoring, provide coaching and feedback of the IEP Database and IEP Files (virtual and as applicable physical).
• Provide crisis intervention for students with IEPs and 504 Plans.
• Provide consultation with parents, teachers, and other appropriate staff regarding the student’s special education program and any adaptations / materials needed to facilitate improved performance in the classroom or at home.
• Maintain relationships and effectively communicate with the school leaders team, teachers, and families in all facets of the position.
• Adhere to all Federal and state requirements for 504 Plans and Special Education to remain in compliance with the current laws.
• Provide professional development training to school staff as-needed regarding best practices in special education, trauma-informed education, social-emotional supports, crisis intervention, and community resources.
• Maintain a close working relationship with other members of the Regional and National ISE team to ensure exchange of best practices, coordination of efforts, and general support for the Integrated Special Education department.
• Leads the 504 Plan process for the campus responsible for writing 504 Plans, facilitating annual 504 Plan meetings with families, developing the team to understand elements of the 504 Plan, supporting the team with 504 Plan implementation and maintaining the records for 504 Plans.

Essential Functions : Student and Parent Partnership

• Rocketship Assistant Principals succeed in partnership with all students and families through frequent communication, building trusting relationships, and embracing the knowledge parents have as their child's first teacher.
• Create a school community that fully involves parents in student achievement through multiple outlets including home visits, regular community meetings, and parent / family meetings.

Essential Functions : Rocketship Professional Culture

• Rocketship Assistant Principals are deeply committed to doing and being their best, and to growing their skills as professionals and as individuals, so our daily and annual expectations reflect that commitment.
• Exhibit a high level of honest and humble self-reflection owning good and bad outcomes; effectively respond to and implement constructive feedback.
• Create a healthy, high-achieving, urgent environment where staff and students feel challenged and also fully supported and valued.
• Promote and participate in collaborative opportunities across schools to share best practices, problem solve, and gather feedback.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience teaching or leading in an urban city classroom and realizing significant gains.
• Deep knowledge of special education processes and produces related IDEA - from the IEP development to IEP meeting facilitation along with core systems and structures for exemplary case management leadership skills and personal drive.
• Deep knowledge of elementary instruction and planning skills.
• Strong leadership skills and personal drive.
• Relentless pursuit of high expectations.
• Result-oriented and data-driven.
• Ability to inspire, motivate and develop others.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engage and empower parents and families.
• Experience in building and maintaining outstanding school culture.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strategic planning and project management experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Education Requirements :

• BA from Accredited University
• Special Education Teaching Credential Required
• Special Education MA preferred

$107,000 - $117,000 a year