Job Description

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Special Education Department Lead

Champion Student Success | Empower Educators | Lead with Purpose

Are you a passionate Special Education professional ready to expand your impact beyond a single classroom? As our Special Education Department Lead, you will serve as a vital bridge between school administration, educators, and families. You will play a pivotal role in mentoring teachers, elevating instructional strategies, and ensuring every student receives the high-quality support they deserve.

If you are a collaborative problem-solver who thrives on empowering colleagues and navigating due process with confidence, we want you on our team!

Why You'll Love This Role

• High-Impact Mentorship: Share your expertise by coaching educators, shaping classroom strategies, and elevating department-wide best practices.
• Leadership Focus: Depending on building allocation, enjoy dedicated leadership and coaching time designed to help you support your team without standard teaching constraints.
• Built-In Prep Time: Includes 5 extra paid days between July 1 and June 30 to help you get a head start on scheduling, enrollment facilitation, and specialized training.

What You'll Do

1. Instructional Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide hands-on coaching and mentoring to special education staff, fostering best practices in high-quality instruction, behavior intervention, and due process.
• Serve as the primary Special Education representative on Student Support Teams to proactively address student needs.
• Consult with general and special education staff to implement accommodations and behavior plans that drive student achievement.

2. Compliance & Program Collaboration

• Partner closely with Building Principals and the Director of Special Services to align site practices with state/federal regulations and district goals.
• Facilitate and attend key IEP meetings, manifestation determinations, and conciliation or mediation conferences as needed.
• Keep a finger on the pulse of team workloads, proactively communicating with administration to maintain a balanced, supported workplace.

3. Operations & Support

• Assist with daily schedules and coverage planning to ensure seamless operations during staff absences.
• Help monitor and manage department expenditures so staff and students have access to essential tools and materials.
• Perform other job-related leadership duties to support the overall health of the SPED department.

What You Bring

• Licensure: Valid Minnesota teaching license in Special Education or a related service area.
• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's/Advanced degree highly desirable.
• Expertise: Deep working knowledge of SPED due process best practices, curriculum frameworks, and instructional technology.
• Soft Skills: Outstanding communication, active listening, dynamic problem-solving, and strong organizational skills.
• Mindset: A self-starter who thrives both independently and as part of a collaborative, student-centered team.

Position & Allocation Details

• FTE Allocations: Position FTE (.5 or 1.0) is determined by the building's special education student population.
  • Programs with 36+ students: 1.0 positions are dedicated leadership roles (no teaching assignment or direct caseload).
  • Programs with under 36 students: 1.0 positions blend department leadership with a teaching assignment and direct caseload.
• Calendar: Standard school year contract + 5 additional days assigned for annual training, building scheduling, and enrollment support.

Application Procedure:
Apply online