Special Education Coordinator

Uncommon Schools; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 56,000 - 70,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Extensive training and development

Comprehensive health insurance

403(b) retirement savings program

Mental health support

Job summary

A nonprofit educational organization in Rochester is looking for a passionate Special Education Coordinator to manage its Special Education programs. The role involves providing academic, emotional, and physical support to students with disabilities. Ideal candidates should have experience in urban K‑12 education and possess a Special Education teaching certification. The hired individual will work closely with teachers, families, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with educational standards. Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in impacting K‑12 students in urban schools.
• Experience in Special Education or related fields.
• A self‑directed learner who solicits and implements feedback.

Responsibilities

• Provide educational services aligned with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Cooperate with general education teachers and families.
• Manage special education evaluations and maintain compliance with regulations.

Skills

Commitment to mission

Social emotional support

Collaboration

Feedback implementation

Education

Special Education teaching certification

Academic expertise in related fields

Job description

About Uncommon Schools

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high‑performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K‑12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Uncommon Special Education Coordinators are passionate, fierce advocates for their students, who manage all aspects of the school's Special Education programs. They also provide crucial academic, emotional, and physical support to students with disabilities and believe they are capable of high academic achievement.

Responsibilities

1. Instruction
   
   • You will review intake assessments to ensure that all students receive the educational services and instructional methods that they need to succeed aligned with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
   • You will coordinate and provide pull‑out, push‑in, small group, and one‑on‑one instruction.
   • You will schedule, coordinate, and facilitate Special Education team, IEP, and pre‑referral meetings.
   • You will manage all aspects associated with the evaluation process, including conducting classroom observations and testing.
   • You will partner with general education teachers and advocate for all classroom accommodations required by 504 plans and IEPs.
   • You will work closely with families in all grades of the school to address their needs throughout the IEP process and support their student’s academic and social‑emotional growth.
   • You will maintain student records regarding special education issues and prepare reports for regulatory agencies while also ensuring compliance with all City, State, and Federal special education laws and regulations.
   • You will use standards‑based assessment data to refine and differentiate curriculum and instruction.
2. Special Education‑Specific Responsibilities
   
   • You’ll collaborate with general education teachers, school leaders, and families to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments and ensure compliance with IEPs.
   • You will gather academic growth data and write goals to prepare for annual IEP meetings.
   • You will teach pull‑out, push‑in, small group, and one‑on‑one instruction and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.
3. School Culture
   
   • You’ll build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
   • You’ll partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their child's learning needs.
   • You’ll engage in practice‑based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
   • You’ll participate in weekly, school‑wide meetings to cultivate community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
   • You’ll partner with your grade‑level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students
• A self‑directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives
• Required Experience:
  • A demonstrated interest in impacting K‑12 students in urban schools and communities (1‑2 years experience preferred).
  • Academic expertise in Special Education, the Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, or related fields of study.
  • Special Education teaching certification is required.

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $56,000 to $70,700. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $56,000 – $60,100. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best‑in‑class training and development.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre‑tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
• Financial planning: 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match.
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits.

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

About Our Culture

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve—over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal‑opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [e-mail].