Rocketship Tennessee has adopted an ambitious strategic plan focused on ensuring student success through strong classroom instruction and targeted intervention. We use a multi-tiered, student-centered, data-driven approach to accelerate achievement for all students.

The Assistant Principal of Special Populations plays a critical leadership role in designing and managing an integrated system of support that ensures every Rocketeer receives high-quality, standards-aligned instruction. Through strong instructional leadership, effective lesson design, and strategic use of progress monitoring data, this role ensures that students receive the supports necessary to meet rigorous academic expectations and graduate college-prepared and career-ready.

At the campus level, the Assistant Principal of Special Populations oversees programming for Multilingual Learners, Special Education, Gifted education, and academic Intervention services. This leader partners closely with teachers and school leadership to ensure instructional decisions are data-informed, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of all learners.

• Manage procedures and protocols that provide consistency in RTI2 implementation at the school level.
• Provide professional learning, technical assistance, and coaching for school and school RTI2 staff (i.e., teachers, tutors, paraprofessionals).
• Manage RTI2 work at the school-level in alignment with the Regional Strategic Plan, Theory of Action and Professional Learning Plans.
• Coordinate and develop resources (i.e., time, materials, personnel) related to RTI2 implementation.
• Collaborate with regional and network curriculum and instruction and special education staff to align guidance and connect work.
• Manage fidelity monitoring procedures.
• Build parent understanding of the RTI2 framework and their role in supporting student success.
• Collaboratively analyze school student performance data and use data to make instructional decisions at Tier I, II, and III.
• Coordinate and support school-based RTI2 Teams including facilitation of grade level team meetings and RTI2 data meetings.
• Manage and provide professional learning for staff.
• Manage administration of ELPA assessment to all ESL Students
• Collaborate and participate in Unit Planning meetings with classroom teachers to ensure Universal Design and ESL Principles are implemented into the Unit, then into daily plans
• Ensure ESL student progress is reported to families on a 6-8 week basis
• Collaborate with school leaders to create a school-wide vision of excellence on special education supports for students’ academic and behavioral needs
• Provide weekly walkthroughs, coaching, and observation, including feedback meeting, to the general education teachers of priority grade level as well as to Rising Specialists
• Ensure IDEA timelines and State of Tennessee compliance laws and regulations are met
• Managing and providing ISE case management
• Assist in the data collection of functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and developing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) for individual students, both ISE and general ed
• Facilitate staff, family and IEP team meetings to present data collection and assessment findings as well as individualized plan recommendations
• Develop Rising Specialist teachers generating appropriate IEPs and facilitating IEP meetings (i.e. appropriate goals, services, descriptions of present levels).
• Co-facilitate IEP meetings with Rising Specialists, provide feedback afterward to ensure 100% of meetings are compliant
• Provide staff with consultation, coaching, modeling and professional development sessions to support the implementation of individualized BIPs via weekly grade level team meetings
• Conduct ongoing follow-up assessments, evaluations and observations on the progress of BIPs, reporting new information to staff and families
• Collaborate with school leaders to create a school-wide vision of excellence on special education supports for students’ academic and behavioral needs
• Provide weekly coaching and observation, including feedback meeting, to the general education teachers of priority grade level as well as to Rising Specialists
• Design and facilitate staff-wide professional development related to special education best practices, behavioral management strategies, implementation of BIPs, trauma-informed education and Rocketship’s suite of tiered curriculum
• Manage and coach Integrated Special Education (ISE) school-based staff
• Manage and coach ESL school-based staff
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with the school leadership team and school staff.
• Understanding of various assessment types (universal screening, diagnostic assessment, and progress monitoring) and their purpose.
• Knowledge of effective intervention practices across content and grade levels.
• Strong data analysis and problem solving skills.
• Understanding of available resources and an ability to identify building and regional needs.
• Coaching, facilitation and leadership skills for leading meetings, professional learning, and coaching for improvement.

• BA from Accredited University
• Special Education Teaching Credential
• 3+ years as a high-performing teacher or leader

• English as a Second Language K-12 endorsement
• Special Education 461 endorsement
• Relevant experience as reading specialist, supporting EL/MLL students and/or as a special educator
• High character person that is intellectually flexible, emotionally intelligent, with excellent customer service skills
• An excellent team player
• Unwavering belief in the potential of Black and Brown people and children