Special Education Instructional Coach

Job Description

The Special Education (SPED) Coach serves as an instructional leader responsible for building capacity among special educators, related service providers, general educators, and support staff to ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality instruction and services aligned with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), federal and state mandates, and school-wide priorities. This role emphasizes coaching, professional learning, progress monitoring, data-driven instructional support, and fostering equitable and inclusive practices across the school. Additionally this role will support in developing, monitoring, and evaluating our school wide compliance measures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Special Education Instructional Coach responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Support Program Program Management in Partnership with the Director of Special Education

• Monitors data in collaboration with the Special Education data team in the Office of Assessment and Administration at City Schools to ensure Maryland online IEP updates and revisions are available for easy and timely access by IEP team members.

• Participates in bi-annual audits of our IEP folders, online documents, and MD IEP Online as a member of the auditing team. Participate in the implementation of plans to address the outcomes of bi-annual audits to improve compliance and management.

• Apply knowledge of disciplinary issues related to students with disabilities and preventive strategies to review and consider in the IEP development process.

• Apply knowledge of instructional practices and academic interventions/supports regarding students with disabilities.

• Supports case management either as the direct case manager or to support the development of case management skills among specialists. (e.g., annual IEP meetings, re-evaluations, eligibility meetings, progress monitoring, maintaining confidentiality, etc.)

• Conducts Education Assessments in the IEP process for grades Pk to 8 as assigned by the IEP Team.

• Manages Therapeutic Behavior Aides and Temporary Adult Support staff assigned to our school by the district.

• Supports the development and management of district provided Related-service Provides as assigned by the Director of Special Education.

Leadership Training and Support in Compliance Management and Program Facilitation for Special Education

• Organizes and provides professional development and technical assistance to school-based staff that will support teachers, administrators and related services staff in developing and implementing IEPs and/or educational placement decisions.

• Conduct periodic O3s for coaching, training, and data analysis with Assistant Principals/Coaches that are supporting Special Educator Teachers and/or General Educators supporting students with IEPs

• Lead IEP periodic professional development for Principals and Leadership Teams on implementing effective Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions to support the identification of students with IEPS and the implementation of effective specially designed instruction for students with IEPs

• Attends relevant district trainings on facilitation of programming for students with disabilities and turn key necessary training to appropriate staff

Teacher Development and Coaching

• Supporting teachers with designing and implementing rigorous and culturally responsive strategies that meet the learning needs of students with disabilities

• Provides instructional coaching in all academic areas which includes student-centered observation-feedback cycles with individual teachers focused on improving student outcomes through effective instruction and assessment

• Collaborates with teachers and provides specific strategies for improved instructional delivery with research-based instructional strategies and interventions to improve achievement for all students

• Co-teaches and/or models lessons as needed to support teacher development

• Supporting teachers in deepening their knowledge of specially designed instruction while aligning standards, curriculum, and assessment across multi- grade classrooms

• Makes recommendations on best practices for supporting teachers in delivering grade appropriate content while making appropriate accommodations based on information in the IEP and student needs

• Supports teachers in reviewing curriculum to identify ways to provide access for students with disabilities

• Reviews and provides feedback on teacher-developed lesson plans, unit plans and assessments

• Collaborates with the Director of Special Education and School Leaders in determining appropriate resources and support for teachers (as needed, conduct formal evaluations, manage PIPs, or enact progressive discipline in accordance with City Schools policies)

• Leads teacher study groups to increase content and pedagogical knowledge as needed

• Supporting teachers in understanding, analyzing and utilizing data to support equitable student access to learning and to improve instructional practice

• Builds teacher capacity in effectively using formative data to inform instruction

Serve as a full-time and engaged member of KIPP Baltimore’s staff.

Qualifications

• A passion for the mission of KIPP Baltimore.

• Master's degree in special education or a related service area. Degrees must be from an accredited college or institution.

• Valid Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Advanced Professional Certificate required in Special Education.

• Eligible for hire by Baltimore City Public Schools.

• Three years of teaching and/or related services experience working with students with special needs.

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state legislation and guidelines governing the education of students with disabilities.

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state legislation guidelines governing the IEP process.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of school staff, community agencies, and federal, state and local officials.

• Effective leadership and management skills that demonstrate the ability to accomplish successful educational outcomes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make effective presentations to diverse audiences.

• Interpersonal skills that ensure effective team building.

• Organizational, management, leadership and supervisory skills.

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability of work products.

• Knowledge of the public education reform landscape is a plus.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher)

Additional Information

As a Baltimore City Schools employee, you'll receive a competitive salary with opportunities for growth. Benefits include health insurance (Kaiser, BlueChoice, CareFirst), dental and vision coverage, prescription medication, and retirement plans through the State of Maryland or City of Baltimore, plus optional 403(b) savings plans. Additional benefits include life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance counseling, dependent child tuition waivers, and higher education tuition reimbursement.

Application Steps

1. Submit an Online KIPP Application:
Explore our job board to find a position that aligns with your interests and expertise.

2. Complete a Phone Interview:
Our Recruitment Manager will conduct an initial phone interview. To accommodate a teacher’s busy schedule, we offer both daytime and evening interview options.

3. Complete the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) Application:
All candidates must submit an application through Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS). In Maryland, charter school teachers are employees of the school district, with salaries, benefits, and pensions provided through BCPSS. Candidates must be deemed eligible for hire by BCPSS to proceed in our selection process.

4. Submit a Sample Video Lesson and Pre-Interview Work:
Teaching candidates will submit a 30-45 minute video demonstrating their teaching, following the provided guidelines. Pre-interview work includes preparing classroom data to discuss during the on-site interview and submitting a brief written response to an interview question.

5. Participate in an On-Site Interview:

We’re excited to invite selected candidates to visit KIPP Baltimore for an in-person interview. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and engage with our school leaders and teachers giving you a chance to experience our community firsthand.

Compensation and Benefits: Compensation for this position is defined by Baltimore City Schools Office of Human Capital, and is based upon the highest degree obtained, and years of experience (up to 10 years). Baltimore City offers a comprehensive benefits package. More information can be found here: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/Page/24356

Additional compensation is commensurate with time worked outside of the 180 required school days and standard hours. This additional time is used for professional development. For example, our teachers are compensated for 5 additional days at the start of the school year for professional development.

Start Date: Immediate

Statement of Non-Discrimination: KIPP Baltimore is committed to the ideal of diversity in its student body and in its faculty and staff. KIPP Baltimore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnicity. We are strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.

For more information about this position, please contact Hilarie Yoffe, Recruitment Manager, at hyoffe@kippbaltimore.org or 410-564-9241