Job Description

About Pennwood Cyber Charter School

Pennwood Cyber Charter School is a tuition-free, K-12 public cyber charter school serving students across Pennsylvania. Pennwood offers flexible virtual learning supported by a proven curriculum, individualized student support, and innovative educational opportunities that promote academic achievement, engagement, and long-term student success.

Pennwood operates a 195-day instructional calendar that includes a three-week Connections Term (CTerm). CTerm expands opportunities for intervention, enrichment, relationship-building, career exploration, and personalized learning.

Pennwood is committed to a collaborative, relationship-centered virtual school culture in which students, families, and staff feel connected, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Pennwood staff members are eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes health coverage and retirement contributions through a 403(b) plan with a 5% employer match in place of PSERS.

Position Summary

The Coordinator of Special Education is a mission-driven leader responsible for supporting the compliance, instructional quality, and effective delivery of special education services across Pennwood Cyber Charter School. Reporting to the Director of Special Education, the Coordinator provides strategic and operational leadership across intake, document review, placement, service delivery, evaluation processes, assistive technology, and staff support.

The Coordinator translates federal and Pennsylvania special education requirements into clear, practical procedures that protect required timelines and promote equitable access to services. The role provides hands-on leadership to special education teachers, related service staff, and families and serves as an instructional coach, problem-solver, and liaison in complex cases.

Success in this role requires sound professional judgment, steady leadership, strong communication, and a commitment to accurate documentation, timely feedback, dependable service delivery, and measurable student growth.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership, Supervision, and Coaching

• Provide day-to-day coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, and operational guidance to special education teachers, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals.
• Supervise assigned staff, when applicable, and support consistent implementation of special education expectations and procedures.
• Provide clear, direct, and constructive feedback while maintaining positive professional relationships.
• Design and deliver targeted professional learning and lead program-improvement initiatives.

IEP Review, Placement, and LEA Representation

• Review incoming Individualized Education Programs and related records to assess student needs and recommend appropriate placements.
• Ensure adherence to required timelines and documentation standards.
• Serve as the Local Education Agency representative in Individualized Education Program meetings and sign official documents, as authorized.
• Address parent or guardian concerns, implement procedural updates, and prepare documentation needed to support legal compliance.

Evaluation and Related Services Oversight

• Coordinate assessments and evaluation processes while protecting the required 60-day evaluation timeline.
• Process related-service requests, assign providers, and verify delivery of required services.
• Audit service logs and promptly resolve discrepancies to support full compliance.
• Coordinate services with related service providers and school partners.

Assistive Technology and Service Delivery

• Maintain an accurate assistive-technology inventory and support the Student Environment, Tasks, Tools process.
• Evaluate assistive-technology requests and analyze relevant student data to determine appropriate supports.
• Coordinate implementation and training for approved assistive-technology devices.
• Partner with staff to support consistent delivery of accommodations, modifications, and specially designed instruction.

Onboarding, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure completion of required training for new special education staff.
• Support the creation, implementation, and oversight of special education onboarding processes.
• Maintain awareness of assistive-technology usage, critical timelines, and compliance risks.
• Use data to guide decisions, monitor progress, and improve service-delivery practices.
• Review vendor contracts and support compliance and operational improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Capabilities

• Special Education Expertise: Interprets and applies federal and Pennsylvania special education requirements, including IDEA, Chapter 711, and Section 504.
• Leadership and Coaching: Provides clear direction, constructive feedback, and practical support to special education staff.
• Communication and Diplomacy: Communicates effectively with families, staff, providers, and school partners, including in complex situations.
• Organization and Time Management: Maintains calendars, trackers, documentation, and multiple compliance timelines with precision.
• Problem-Solving and Judgment: Resolves issues effectively while protecting compliance, service quality, and professional relationships.
• Technology Proficiency: Uses virtual platforms, online systems, data, and assistive-technology processes effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Active Pennsylvania Special Education certification.
• Active Pennsylvania Supervisor of Special Education certificate or K-12 Principal certification.
• At least five years of special education teaching experience.
• At least three years of experience in a virtual charter school environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Chapter 711, and Section 504.
• Experience supervising staff and serving as the Local Education Agency representative in Individualized Education Program meetings.
• Experience conducting Individualized Education Program and evaluation-document reviews.
• Strong organizational, communication, coaching, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to use data to guide decisions and monitor student services.
• Ability to travel statewide for meetings, staff support, state testing, and school events, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading or coaching special education teams.
• Experience coordinating related services with providers and school partners.
• Experience supporting assistive-technology processes and implementation.

Technology Requirement

Two-step authentication setup is required to access school systems upon hire.