Director of Special Education Teaching & Learning

Job Title: Director of Special Education Teaching & Learning
Location: 910 W. Van Buren St., Chicago, IL
Reports To: Executive Director of Academics
Salary: Starting at $110,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: July 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Overview

The Director of Special Education Teaching & Learning plays a critical, senior leadership role in the organization's efforts to ensure equitable, high-quality instruction and outcomes for all students with disabilities. This position provides strategic oversight, guidance, and executive leadership to special education instructional teams, driving the implementation of inclusive, compliant, and highly impactful special education practices across all schools and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and instructional excellence.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Compliance:

• Develop and oversee the execution of strategic plans that advance inclusive education and instructional equity for students with disabilities districtwide.

• Monitor special education compliance data and ensure instructional teams and schools support meeting legal and policy requirements under IDEA, ADA, and organizational policy.

• Lead data-driven accountability cycles to improve the quality of instruction, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), service delivery, and student outcomes.

• Support and lead responses to audits, investigations, and improvement plans related to compliance and instruction.

Instructional Excellence and Support:

• Champion high-quality, research-based special education instruction through professional development, modeling, coaching, and knowledge dissemination across the organization.

• Ensure instructional support staff effectively guide schools in implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

• Promote and ensure fidelity in the implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and instructional interventions.

Team Development:

• Directly lead and supervise special education instructional support staff across the network, ensuring consistency, quality, and equity in service delivery.

• Manage the development of campus and network-based staff through clear goal-setting, high-impact professional development, and direct coaching cycles (including observations, co-planning, and modeling).

• Embody expertise in leadership development, specifically coaching directors, managers, and school leaders toward excellence in special education oversight.

• Provide strategic guidance to teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers to ensure a high standard of both instruction and compliance.

• Partner with campus leaders to guide paraprofessional evaluations and ensure effective supervision structures are in place.

Collaboration and Community Engagement:

• Align special education instructional efforts with broader network instructional and behavioral initiatives, ensuring cohesion and cross-departmental collaboration.

• Build systems to promote authentic, culturally responsive engagement of families and communities in the special education process.

• Partner with advocacy organizations and community stakeholders to foster inclusive, collaborative practices.

• Collaborate with other departments to support systemic alignment and innovation.

• Lead or participate in districtwide initiatives, pilot programs, and special projects that enhance support for students with disabilities.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Utilize data and research to inform decision-making, identify trends, and proactively address challenges in special education instructional practices.

• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action Program & Curriculum Development

• Design and oversee special education programs implementation to ensure all students access rigorous, grade-level instruction and support.

• Partner with the academics team to align curriculum, assessments, and instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners.

• Ensure the development of inclusive instructional practices, academic interventions, and accessible curricular materials for students with exceptionalities.

• Stay current with research and developments in special education and related services to inform network practices and instructional improvements.

Academic Team Member Support:

• Partner with Academic Team members to lead key initiatives related to the role of the teacher leaders and teacher onboarding and development

• Uphold and contribute to the implementation of the DS Model, strategic plan, campus growth plans, and network priorities

• Provide strategic vision, support, and leadership in new school start-up or restart opportunities

• Design, implement, monitor progress, and provide updates on key instructional coaching decisions with a specific focus on new teacher development

• Partner with Academic and Student Services team members to ensure parity and cohesiveness in philosophy, pedagogy, systems, structures, and protocols among all initiatives and content areas

• Establish tasks and timelines and develop strategies to support projects through from beginning to end

• Plan, design, and implement network initiatives and participate in regularly scheduled network and campus meetings and professional learning

• Maintain a current and detailed understanding of all local and state requirements for onboarding and teacher development

• Participate in ongoing professional learning opportunities in order to better support network growth and ensure that instructional coaching practices reflect current research

• Contribute to grant applications and other professional writing

• Check-in regularly with the Executive Director of Academics to collaborate, set and refine goals, review project progress, share feedback and support, and build rapport.

• Participate in the formal and informal coaching observation process and personal goal-setting with the Executive Director of Academics. Leadership practices will be measured and developed using a universal framework

• Perform the assigned responsibilities of an Academic Team member and other duties as assigned

Requirements (minimum):

Education:

• Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field is required.

Qualifications:

• Relevant state Professional Educator License (PEL) with Special Education endorsement (or equivalent) is required.

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in special education, including at least three (3) years in a senior leadership, supervisory, or district-level support role.

• Demonstrated experience managing teams and leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.

• Proven track record of improving special education instructional practices and student outcomes at the school or district level.

Technology & Travel Demands:

• Proficient in cloud based solutions - GoogleSuite

• Demonstrated understanding of AI principles and potential in education

• Travel to campuses daily basis

Physical Demands:

• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing.

Benefits:

• 25+ Paid holidays & reasonable (no limit) PTO
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
  • Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Job Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected] or call 773.828.4191