Director of Special Education

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the school's Special Education department and ensure all services are delivered in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for families, district representatives, and special education stakeholders regarding student services and compliance.
• Guide the implementation of IEPs and oversee the evaluation, progress monitoring, and support of students receiving special education services.
• Supervise and coach special education staff through regular classroom observations, instructional feedback, and professional mentoring.
• Collaborate with related service providers to ensure students receive appropriate interventions and supports.
• Monitor academic and behavioral data to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and inform school-wide instructional decisions.
• Develop and facilitate professional development focused on best practices in special education, compliance, and inclusive instruction.
• Partner with school leadership on hiring, staff development, and the continuous improvement of special education programming.
• Build strong partnerships with families while maintaining timely communication regarding student progress and services.

Qualifications

• Valid New York State Special Education Certification required.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Special Education or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of classroom teaching experience, with additional leadership or coaching experience strongly preferred.
• Thorough understanding of special education laws, IEP development, compliance requirements, and intervention frameworks.
• Proven ability to coach educators, manage multiple priorities, and lead collaborative teams.
• Experience working in diverse urban school communities is highly valued.