Special Education Achievement Specialist

About the role

The Special Education Achievement Specialist builds district capacity by advising campus leadership and executing high-impact professional development under the direction of the Director of Special Education. The Specialist is responsible for delivering ongoing, campus-based instructional modeling and compliance training for teachers and instructional assistants who implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students receiving special education services and 504 plans. This role supports the development of high-quality, inclusive instruction and ensures fidelity to both instructional best practices and legal requirements. In partnership with the Special Education Director, the Specialist provides direct support to campuses and collaborates with district-level teams to promote consistency and quality across the network. Serving as a mentor and key point of contact, the Specialist supports building teacher capacity and fosters a strong culture of collaboration, equity, and accountability in service of students with diverse learning needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching to school-based special education managers and other staff that support special education students across all grade bands (PreK–12th), including self-contained classrooms on 504 and special education.
• Provide support for special education compliance across the organization.
• Identify schools and teachers in need of more hands-on support and offer planning time and office hours for targeted assistance.
• Analyze school data including MTSS, 504, and ARD compliance to inform school-based support and assistance.
• Analyze student data, including state and local assessments, to inform instructional decisions and interventions.
• Proactively recognize patterns in student performance data and make recommendations for professional development and instructional improvements.
• Use data to identify and support the academic needs of special education students.
• Monitor ARD paperwork completed by campus personnel, including supplements with accompanying data collected by campus staff (i.e., all IEPs, BIPs, Transition, Transportation, etc.).
• Cultivate the trust of all key stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and administrators, to support student success.
• Maintain productive working relationships with other internal departments and lead troubleshooting efforts when issues arise with special populations.
• Serve as the Special Education team liaison, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between teams.
• Co-facilitate professional development sessions focused on instructional strategies, compliance, and best practices for special populations.
• Support/provide monthly PD, newsletter input, and communication to provide ongoing coaching and guidance to school-based staff.
• Collaborate with the Special Education Director and school staff to resolve TEA complaints.
• Ensure that IEPs, other special education documentation, and 504 plans are compliant with federal, state, and district regulations.
• Participate in IEP meetings, parent–teacher conferences, and other relevant meetings to discuss student progress.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Master’s degree (preferred)
• Certified in Special Education from Texas State Board of Education (required)
• Minimum of three years of experience as a special education teacher (required)
• 1–2 years of experience as a campus administrator (preferred)
• Ability to travel to all campuses in all regions.
• Experience and knowledge of IDEA and TEA Law and Regulations, Section 504.
• Demonstrated expertise in ARD facilitation and 504 meetings.
• Understanding of the evaluation process and MTSS.
• Demonstrated expertise in rigorous planning and lesson internalization.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret student achievement data to inform instructional decision-making.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience providing professional development and coaching to special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Knowledge of state and federal education laws, regulations, and mandates related to special education, 504, and Gifted and Talented.
• Proficiency in educational technology tools and digital resources to support curriculum delivery and assessment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic educational environment.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in curriculum design and instructional practices.

Pay

$76,000 annual / Exempt

Schedule

Full-time with extended workdays, occasional Saturdays, and some travel. 220 workdays per year. At-will employment.