2026-2027 EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION LEAD TEACHER

Atlanta Public Schools; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlanta Public Schools seeks an Exceptional Education Lead Teacher (EELT) for Garden Hills Elementary School, in a shared position with Atlanta College and Career Academy. The role supports administrators and teachers in delivering effective programs for students with disabilities.

The position requires Georgia certification in Special Education, a Bachelor's in Special Education, and 3 years of relevant experience; leadership certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must hold or be eligible for Georgia certification in Special Education
• Leadership certification strongly preferred
• Bachelor's Degree in Special Education required
• Master's/ Specialist/ Doctorate in Educational Leadership preferred
• 3 years of teaching or related experience with students with disabilities required

Responsibilities

• Models and supports special education staff in organizing and implementing the curriculum
• Supports in-person instruction quality and coaches teachers
• Reviews and ensures instruction in Least Restrictive Environment
• Delivers professional learning for staff and parents
• Collaborates with parents and local school staff on instructional decisions
• Maintains confidentiality and monitors files for students with disabilities
• Communicates IEP development, eligibility, and transition planning
• Coordinates IEP meetings and SST processes
• Monitors timelines for assessments and data input
• Completes educational assessments as referred
• Complies with mandatory reporting of child abuse and other recalls
• Must be on-site during regular hours and as needed

Skills

Written & verbal communication

Collaboration with teams

Planning & organization

Meeting deadlines

Adaptability between in-person & mixed

Safety awareness

IEP & data handling

Education

Bachelor's in Special Education

Master/ Specialist/ Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

2026-2027 EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION LEAD TEACHER( SHARED POSITION WITH ATLANTA COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY) JobID: 5490

• Position Type: SCHOOL SUPPORT (INSTRUCTIONAL)/ SPECIAL EDUCATION LEAD TEACHER
• Date Posted: 11/5/2026
• Location: Garden Hills Elementary School

The Exceptional Education Lead Teacher (EELT) supports school administrators and teachers in providing effective educational programs for all students with disabilities. Assumes responsibility for the knowledge and application of the appropriate curriculum and the instructional programs for students with disabilities and complies with all federal, state, and district due process, policies, and procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• CERTIFICATION:
  • Must hold or be eligible to hold a valid Georgia Certification in one or more areas of Special Education.
  • Leadership certification strongly preferred.
• EDUCATION:
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in Special Education required.
  • Master's, Specialist, or Doctorate Degree from an accredited institution in Educational Leadership preferred.
• WORK EXPERIENCE:
  • 3 years of teaching experience or related educational experience providing services to students with disabilities required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILIITIES:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills in rendering solutions to various issues.
• Ability to plan and implement short and long-range goals and objectives.
• Ability to work with collaborative teams.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and other system software programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with students, parents, administrators and staff.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with students, staff, and parents in a professional manner.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between in-person learning environments.
• Knowledge of school safety & security procedures
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Models and supports special education instructional staff in organizing, identifying, and implementing curriculum including Common Core Curriculum and the adapted curriculum.
• Supports quality in-person classroom instruction and its improvement in all settings through monitoring, observing, model teaching and coaching; assists teachers in improving classroom management and climate through the implementation of effective instructional methods.
• Reviews and ensures that all students with disabilities are receiving effective instruction in the Least Restrictive Environment; assists school staff in organizing curriculum and utilizing strategies for students with disabilities.
• Participates in professional learning activities and plans/delivers professional learning activities to staff, parents, and others to increase achievement for students with disabilities.
• Collaborates with parents and local school staff regarding instructional decision-making for students with disabilities.
• Maintains communication with special education staff, local school personnel, and parents regarding the referral, evaluation, identification, and effective programming for students with disabilities.
• Maintains student confidentiality and monitors confidential files for students with disabilities.
• Consults with local instructional staff regarding Individual Education Program (IEP) development, extended school year, behavioral interventions, and transition plans for students with disabilities.
• Collaborates with appropriate school-based personnel to assure accurate documentation and timely data input/submission for students with disabilities.
• Assigns and/or conducts in-person staff meetings to develop IEPs, as required within assigned school(s)/cluster; attends all appropriate IEP meetings (i.e. Promotion/Retention, Amendments, Eligibility Redetermination, Initial Eligibility meetings); participates in the SST process to facilitate referrals to special education and coordinates eligibility meetings.
• Reviews, monitors and meets timelines for IEPs, referrals, initial eligibilities, and re-evaluations; monitors Full Time Equivalent (FTE) counts and the Student Record (SR) process during the school year.
• Completes educational assessments for students referred for testing/evaluation; monitors assessment timelines to ensure adherence to State regulations.
• Complies with all requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse, illegal harassment, breaches of ethics, or any criminal activity of which the employee becomes aware.
• Required to have prompt, regular attendance in-person and be available to work on-site, in-person during regular business hours and as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by an appropriate administrator or their representative.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
• Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 5 or more pounds on a frequent basis. Incumbent may be required to physically restrain parties involved in a conflict.
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.
• Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress.
• Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between in-person and various classroom learning environments.

The Atlanta Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management and administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

COMPENSATION:

Salary Grade: IS4 Bachelor - IS7 Doctorate

Salary Range: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/human-resources/employees/total-rewards/compensation/salary-schedule