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Assistant Director of Special Education

AchieveKids
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/21/2026

Assistant Director of Special Education at AchieveKids

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Application Deadline

Until Filled

Date Posted
5/21/2026
Contact
Julie Ngov
16504941200 142
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Pay Range
$100,000.00 - $110,000.00 Bi-weekly
Add'l Salary Info
$100,000 to $110,000 per year (paid bi-weekly)
Length of Work Year
217
Employment Type
Full Time

About the Employer

For over 65 years, AchieveKids has offered a place where acceptance is key to our community. AchieveKids specializes in creating learning for students ages 5 to 22 with severe emotional and/or developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, mood, disruptive behavior, and anxiety disorders. Our innovative teachers, paraprofessionals, behavioral health team, and speech therapists work collaboratively to create opportunity and independence in the lives of the students in our community. This interdisciplinary team becomes a skillful problem solving group that instructs, guides and assists these students toward greater independence and self-reliance, enabling a path to a brighter future. With a campus in Palo Alto and in San Jose, we serve multiple school districts throughout the Bay Area. AchieveKids is committed to supporting high quality, inclusive practices in our schools and programs. The diversity of our workforce and Board of Directors is essential and we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our company to ensure a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and skills to drive innovation and creativity, enhance decision-making, and provide better solutions.

Job Summary

Job Summary

The Assistant School Director helps foster an inclusive environment, which is welcoming for our visitors and the AchieveKids team. This administrative, non-union, position works in partnership with the Director of Education to meet the needs of one of the AchieveKids campuses. The core responsibilities include providing direct school/program support, coordinating daily activities, ensuring the delivery of the AchieveKids mission and Learning for Life approach, and developing the culture and approach to instructional services for the campus teams. This can include working in program, providing direct feedback and supervision, coordinating services, monitoring IEP development and delivery, and ensuring compliance and quality within the campus.

Requirements / Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, or related field is required. Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, or related field is preferred. Two or more years of experience in teaching, speech, behavior analysis, mental health, or a related field. Experience supporting youth with severe behavioral, developmental, and emotional difficulties in community settings. Working knowledge of related training materials and the ability to effectively communicate and deliver training programs. Skills & Abilities Must be knowledgeable in basic behavioral management. Must have knowledge of child and elder abuse reporting laws. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Effective organizational skills with a high attention to detail. Critical thinking skills and the ability to work autonomously and in a team setting. Ability to work effectively and efficiently with community members potentially both in person and over the telephone or e-mail. Ability to anticipate the need for and to take initiative in problem-solving. Ability to learn quickly and handle projects from inception to completion. Good public relations skills. Positive attitude about AchieveKids, our services, and our employees.

Criminal record clearance or formal exemption. Tuberculosis risk assessment clearance within 60 days before hire and every four years thereafter.

Requirements / Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, or related field is required. Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, or related field is preferred. Two or more years of experience in teaching, speech, behavior analysis, mental health, or a related field. Experience supporting youth with severe behavioral, developmental, and emotional difficulties in community settings. Working knowledge of related training materials and the ability to effectively communicate and deliver training programs. Skills & Abilities Must be knowledgeable in basic behavioral management. Must have knowledge of child and elder abuse reporting laws. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Effective organizational skills with a high attention to detail. Critical thinking skills and the ability to work autonomously and in a team setting. Ability to work effectively and efficiently with community members potentially both in person and over the telephone or e-mail. Ability to anticipate the need for and to take initiative in problem-solving. Ability to learn quickly and handle projects from inception to completion. Good public relations skills. Positive attitude about AchieveKids, our services, and our employees.

Criminal record clearance or formal exemption. Tuberculosis risk assessment clearance within 60 days before hire and every four years thereafter.

Comments and Other Information

Duties marked with an asterisk (*) are considered to be essential to this position under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Create and foster a welcoming environment for AchieveKids students, families, and team members.* Ensure a nurturing and supportive learning environment for all AchieveKids students.* Oversee and supervise campus homerooms and teachers, in partnership with the Director of Education.* Structure and facilitate Teacher Meetings on a consistent basis.* Provide supervision, coaching, and direct support/feedback to assigned teachers and service providers.* Monitor curricular approach within and across classrooms.* Assist teachers and academies in setting and implementing Learning for Life (Collaborative Analysis model), including meetings and plan implementation.* Oversee IEP development and implementation.* Support, review, and approval of Progress Report documentation. Work in partnership and under the direction of the Director of Education in fulfilling the vision of the school site.* Assist, fill in, and support daily classroom needs, including supporting students, team members, and daily actions within the program.* Ensure compliance to California Education Codes, including assisting in annual California Department of Education certifications and quality-based measures.* Other duties as assigned.

Comments and Other Information


Duties marked with an asterisk (*) are considered to be essential to this position under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Create and foster a welcoming environment for AchieveKids students, families, and team members.* Ensure a nurturing and supportive learning environment for all AchieveKids students.* Oversee and supervise campus homerooms and teachers, in partnership with the Director of Education.* Structure and facilitate Teacher Meetings on a consistent basis.* Provide supervision, coaching, and direct support/feedback to assigned teachers and service providers.* Monitor curricular approach within and across classrooms.* Assist teachers and academies in setting and implementing Learning for Life (Collaborative Analysis model), including meetings and plan implementation.* Oversee IEP development and implementation.* Support, review, and approval of Progress Report documentation. Work in partnership and under the direction of the Director of Education in fulfilling the vision of the school site.* Assist, fill in, and support daily classroom needs, including supporting students, team members, and daily actions within the program.* Ensure compliance to California Education Codes, including assisting in annual California Department of Education certifications and quality-based measures.* Other duties as assigned.
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