Student Services Lead & Special Education Coach

Ascendlearning; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend seeks an Assistant Principal of Student Services to ensure the academic, emotional, and physical supports needed for students requiring extra help to thrive within the core program.

This role will lead compliance with special education regulations, oversee staff development in SPED, 504s, ENL, and related services, and coordinate direct services and accommodations with families and school teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, with an advanced degree preferred.
• At least three years of teaching experience with a proven track record of elevating student achievement.
• At least one year of experience leading, managing, and coaching a team of adults.
• Experience teaching in underserved areas preferred.
• An unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels and that scholars with disabilities are as capable of greatness.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Passion for urban education and closing the achievement gap.
• Effective relationship-builder with students and families.
• Relentless in pursuing the school's academic objectives; open to feedback and growth.

Responsibilities

• Observe, coach, and supervise ELL, SETSS, and interventionists to ensure rigorous, engaging instruction and a warm, structured classroom culture.
• Develop and lead academic intervention plans for the school.
• Serve as primary contact with NYC Department of Education's Office of Special Education and manage the relationship to ensure compliance and accurate records.
• Implement IEPs and manage direct services by related service providers approved by NYCDOE.
• Ensure general education teachers implement all IEP/504 accommodations and modifications.
• Collaborate with special education staff to share best practices across Ascend schools and address crises promptly.
• Monitor at-risk tiered support through weekly data-driven meetings and planning sessions.
• Create, implement, and review 504 plans.
• Model differentiated small-group instruction for students with special needs.
• Prepare student IEPs in consultation with staff and families to ensure success for all scholars.
• Use assessment data to drive instruction and ensure mastery of standards.
• Build strong relationships with students and families.
• Participate in grade-level meetings, planning, and professional development, including an annual summer institute.

Skills

Leadership coaching

Data-driven instruction

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Stakeholder communication

Urban education

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About Ascend

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K–12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures—not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students’ brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

About the Role

The Assistant Principal of Student Services works in conjunction with the school’s instructional leaders to ensure that the school provides the academic, emotional, and physical services for students who require additional support to thrive within the school’s core academic programs.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Principal of Student Services will ensure the school is in compliance with special education regulations and coordinate staff professional development in the areas of special education, 504s, tiered system of support, ENL, and other related services. Additionally, the assistant principal of student services will:

• Observe, coach, and supervise ELL teachers, SETSS teachers, and interventionists to ensure that teaching is at all times intentional, engaging, and rigorous, and that teachers are creating a warm, structured, and responsive classroom culture
• Develop and lead academic intervention plans for the school
• Serve as the school’s primary contact with the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and directly manage the relationship to ensure that the school complies with applicable laws and regulations and maintains accurate and up-to-date records and other documentation
• Implement IEPs and manage the provision of direct services by related service providers approved by the New York City Department of Education
• Ensure that all general education teachers know of, understand, and implement all classroom accommodations and modifications required by IEPs and 504 plans
• Work with the school’s special education professionals to share best practices across schools in the Ascend network and resolve any school-based crises expeditiously
• Ensure that all schools create, implement, and monitor at-risk tiered support through weekly data-driven meetings and planning sessions with the support of the school-based teams
• Create, implement, and review 504 plans
• Serve as a model in differentiating small group instruction for students with special needs
• Prepare student individualized education plans in consultation with staff and families to ensure success for all scholars
• Use formal and informal assessment data to drive instruction and ensure student mastery of standards
• Create and maintain strong relationships with students and families
• Actively participate in grade-level meetings, collaborative planning, and professional development, including an annual summer institute

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree preferred
• At least three years of teaching experience with a proven track record of elevating student achievement, including for students who require additional support to thrive within the school’s core academic programs
• At least one year of experience leading, managing, and coaching a team of adults that demonstrates the ability to drive results through others
• Experience teaching in underserved areas is preferred
• An unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels and that scholars with disabilities are as capable of greatness as general education scholars
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Passion for urban education and closing the achievement gap
• Effective relationship-builder with students and families
• Relentless in the pursuit of the school’s academic objectives; hard-working and willing to take feedback and engage in a process of self-improvement

Compensation

The salary for this position begins at $89,000. Several factors, such as work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, and market and business considerations, may influence the base pay offered. This salary reflects a position based in New York City.