Lead Special Education Generalist 25/26 SY

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A TEACHING CAREER IN IPS OFFERS…

Purpose and Impact:

• Students First: Teaching for IPS is a rewarding opportunity to support bright, curious students as they shape their futures. We hold ourselves to the highest expectations of excellence, focusing on students’ holistic needs during their educational journey with us.
• Community: Working in a school means it is your home away from home, and you have a school family who supports you and leads with empathy and vision.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early career teachers.
• Generous Compensation: We’re proud to offer the highest teacher starting pay in Indianapolis and one of the most competitive in the state, with teachers earning $53,460 - $94,000 depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Our teacher salaries are continually on the rise, as IPS regularly advocates for stronger teacher compensation.
• Access to Financial Benefits: Working in IPS makes it possible to benefit from federal programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF), helping reduce the financial burden of student loans.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access top-tier health plans covering medical, dental, and vision needs, plus IPS offers a private clinic for staff and their families through our partners at Ascension St. Vincent.
• Flexible Wellness Leave: Take the time you need to care for yourself and your family with our generous leave policies. Teachers receive 70 hours of sick leave in their first year (56 hours annually after) for illness, family, or mental health, plus three personal days, two floating holidays, and school breaks. Unlimited accumulated sick leave adds flexibility, supporting teachers’ health and work-life balance.
• Incentivized Discounts through IPS Wellness Program: Opportunities to earn hundreds of dollars off your medical premium by participating in proactive and simple health screenings, plus discounted group fitness classes, health and fitness assessments, personal training, and more.

WHAT WE EXPECT...

Commitment to Excellence:

• High Standards: Strive for the very best in all you do, maintaining high standards for yourself, your students, and your colleagues. Embrace lifelong learning and adapt to new teaching methods and challenges.
• Educational Equity: IPS is deeply committed to breaking down systemic inequities. We do this by “walking the walk” on new policies and practices, building diverse and inclusive classrooms and staff teams, and ensuring our environments are grounded in our values of respect, inclusivity, and educational equity.

Resilience and Passion:

• Dedication to Students: Put students at the heart of your work. Be passionate about their success and well-being.
• Adaptability: Handle adversity with resilience and flexibility. Be prepared for a dynamic work environment.

Professional Integrity:

• Ethical Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals, communicate with candor and care.
• Team Player: Be dependable, punctual, and collaborative, contributing positively to our supportive work environment.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The Lead Special Education Generalist organizes and manages special education supports, resources, professional development, and services across the district. The Lead provides direct instructional and behavioral support to their assigned schools to increase student achievement of Indianapolis Public School (IPS) students with special needs. This role provides privileged access to the inner workings of the IPS Unified Student Supports (USS) Department. The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, agile-minded, strategic, proactive, a direct communicator, highly organized and committed to the vision and values of IPS and IPS USS.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Has a minimum of 3 years of experience as a special educator with at least 1 year of experience as an instructional coach
• Identified as “Effective” in last evaluation with preference being given to specialists achieving “Highly Effective” status
• Working knowledge of federal and state special education laws (IDEA and Article 7), rules, and practices
• Broad knowledge of Indiana and IPS special education policies, procedures and programs
• Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet district, department, school, and student needs
• A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct support for teachers, coaches, and administrators, per Learning Community Director guidance
• Provides leadership and collaboration to ensure that school special education initiatives are student-focused and aligned with the vision of the IPS Unified Student Supports Department
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of special education and general education issues relating to services necessary for student success
• Communicates problem-solving, support, and model strategies in the areas of academic/behavioral data and I-TEAM processes
• Coordinates onboarding of new USS Coaches and Specialists
• With the support of the Special Education Compliance Monitor, reviews data to inform decision making: Service logs, behavior data, FBA/BIP, progress monitoring, school suspensions, expulsions, seclusion and restraints, academic data, and Child Count for students with special needs in assigned buildings and develop action plans as needed
• Attends Results Driven Accountability Meetings and inputs data as needed
• Develops and empowers teachers to write strong IEPs, behavior plans and to facilitate efficient and effective case conferences/manifestation determinations as essential tools to accelerate learning and protect the rights of students with disabilities and their families
• Monitors caseload sizes and makes recommendations to the Learning Community Director regarding school assignments based on the needs of the district
• Provides team support with IDOE Article 7 Child Find procedures by reviewing academic and behavioral requests and referrals to determine appropriate initial evaluation procedures
• Supports school-based staff in identifying and developing appropriate academic and behavioral interventions and strategies that support special education students
• Provides input for monthly Learning Community meetings as well as ITeam staff meetings
• Works collaboratively with principals, teachers, parents, and support staff in the development of appropriate supports for students
• Attends case conferences for students as requested/needed
• Communicates effectively, and in a timely manner, with school staff, parents and guardians to address complaints, issues and concerns
• Mentors team members and fellows in the areas of schedule management, procedures, and I-TEAM processes
• Provides weekly updates to the Learning Community Director on implementation plans and debriefs completed by USS Coaches and Specialists
• Perform other duties assigned by the Learning Community Director

“Day In the Life” Overview

On a regular day, as the Lead Special Education Generalist, you might:

• Monitor and support USS Coaches and Specialists development of in-lesson coaching strategies and teaching techniques under the directive of the Learning Community Director
• Assess and communicate individual specialist and coaches needs based on informal observations as directed by the Learning Community Director
• Communicate effectively, and in a timely manner, with school staff, parents and guardians to address complaints, issues and concerns
• Provide knowledge and experience in implementing instructional best practices, differentiation, co-teaching, coaching strategies
• Identify issues/concerns and problem-solve with support and expertise of other team members
• Perform duties assigned by the Special Education Learning Community Director

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to find, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DISCLAIMER:

The above job description is designed to denote the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.