Special Education Teacher

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 and a joyful, inclusive school experience. Specialists serve students with significant support needs, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, and communication or behavioral challenges.

At Rocketship, we believe every child deserves to be known, loved, and challenged. Our inclusive 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 closely with general educators, paraprofessionals, and families to provide accommodations, modifications, and targeted supports that help students build independence, confidence, and academic growth.

To ensure students and families receive highly individualized support, Education Specialists maintain a capped caseload of no more than 18 students. This intentional structure allows specialists to deeply know their students, build strong family partnerships, and provide high-quality, responsive services tailored to each learner’s unique needs.

Specialists manage their caseload at a single school site, delivering instruction in functional academics, adaptive skills, communication supports, and behavior interventions while ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law. Education Specialists also benefit from dedicated time for case management (2-4 hours each week) to focus on IEP preparation, progress monitoring, family communication, documentation, and collaboration with service providers.

At Rocketship, Education Specialists are empowered to focus fully on special education support and student success. Unlike many school settings, specialists are not responsible for operational duties such as arrival, dismissal, lunch coverage, or other classroom coverage (subbing), allowing them to devote their energy to instruction, intervention, family partnership, and individualized student support.

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 utilize approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and crisis intervention to create safe, structured, and supportive learning environments where students can thrive.

Education Specialists receive ongoing support through weekly coaching from school leaders, in addition to specialized coaching from a Special Education Program Specialist to strengthen instructional practice, compliance systems, and long-term professional growth.

Education Specialists report to their Principal or Assistant Principal.

Location: Rocketship United Academy - 320 Plus Park Blvd, Nashville, TN 37207

• 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

• The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure that all students work toward and achieve the rigorous academic goals outlined in their IEPs, aligned with Common Core standards and Rocketship’s core content; our goal is that each Rocketeer grows at least 1.5 years
• Provide individualized and small-group instruction, as well as push-in and pull-out support, to ensure students access to grade-level content as outlined in their IEPs
• Co-teach with general education teachers to model and uphold accommodations, modifications, and meaningful inclusion in the classroom
• Partner with paraprofessionals to ensure consistent, high-quality support for students across settings

• Own and manage an IEP caseload aligned with state regulations, ensuring compliance with IDEA and state law
• Draft and write professional, compliant IEPs; facilitate IEP meetings; and maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the IEP system
• Collaborate with psychologists and related service providers (e.g., speech, OT) to interpret assessments and ensure students receive appropriate services
• Communicate with families and team members on IEP goals, accommodations, and student progress

• Approach behavior with the mindset that all behaviors communicate a need, and partner with students, families, and school staff to develop responsive supports such as Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
• Apply strategies, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to promote positive student behavior and create supportive learning environments
• Partner with families through IEP meetings, regular communication, and home visits to ensure transparency and shared ownership of student growth

• Engage fully in weekly coaching, including real-time classroom coaching in the moment, and ongoing professional development to strengthen instructional and case management practices
• Act with urgency and courage in the best interests of students, even when tackling new or unfamiliar challenges
• Engage in self-reflection, taking ownership of outcomes and learning from both positive and challenging experiences
• Collaborate effectively with general educators, paraprofessionals, and related service providers to ensure meaningful inclusion and consistent support for students
• Collaborate with general educators to engage families and school communities through IEP meetings, parent conferences, staff meetings, and trainings
• Communicate openly and proactively with families, contributing to a culture of trust and partnership
• Uphold the highest standards of compliance with IDEA and state law, ensuring that all IEPs and services meet both legal and instructional expectations
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented staff culture where collaboration ensures every student has access to an excellent education
• Are recognized and rewarded for excellence, including eligibility for performance-based pay tied to student growth and impact

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution
• Must hold Valid Practitioner License with a 144–145 Special Education Interventionist Endorsement upon hire
• Must maintain active and in-good-standing credential status throughout employment with Rocketship

• At least 2 years of experience working with children in special education, behavioral support, or related settings
• Background or understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles
• Knowledge of special education law, IDEA compliance, and effective inclusion practices