District-Wide Instructional Coach - Special Education (SY26-27)

District Overview

The Malden Public Schools (MPS) is a richly diverse school district located a few miles north of Boston and accessible by the MBTA orange line train. Malden’s student body comprises approximately 6,100 students who represent 59 different countries and speak 67 different languages. Approximately 18 percent of Malden students have a disability and roughly one-third are English learners. The district includes seven schools: one comprehensive high school, five K to 8 schools, and an early learning center that serves preschool students with disabilities alongside typical peers. We are committed to providing high expectations for all learners through rigorous instruction and culturally responsive practices and pedagogy. MPS is a safe, welcoming, and collaborative district where we encourage and embrace a growth mindset. We believe that our diversity is an asset, and we are seeking candidates that reflect, embrace, and contribute to the strengths of our community. 

Position Summary

The Special Education Instructional Coach provides job-embedded coaching, professional development, and instructional support to special education teachers and paraprofessionals across district substantially-separate programs, including autism, social-emotional, and life skills settings. The position may also support the implementation of inclusion models for students with disabilities, including co-teaching. Reporting directly to the Program Manager for Instructional Support, the Instructional Coach works collaboratively with educators to strengthen instructional practices, implement evidence-based strategies, and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. This is a non-evaluative, capacity-building role focused on adult learning and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Coaching & Support

• Provide consistent, job-embedded coaching to special education teachers and Education Support Professionals in substantially-separate settings across the district
• Support special and general education co-teachers to effectively include students with disabilities in general education settings aligned with state curriculum frameworks and students’ individual needs
• Conduct regular non-evaluative classroom observations followed by structured, reflective coaching conversations focused on instructional growth and student engagement
• Model evidence-based instructional strategies, including structured teaching, co-teaching, applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and social-emotional learning frameworks
• Support teachers in designing and implementing high-quality, individualized lessons and interventions aligned with students' IEP goals
• Assist educators in using data to drive instructional decisions, adjust programming, and document student progress toward IEP goals
• Collaborate with related service providers (e.g., speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, BCBAs) to promote integrated, consistent support across settings

Professional Development

• Partner with district Special Education and Teaching and Learning teams to design and deliver ongoing targeted professional development for special education staff and general education co-teachers
• Facilitate small-group learning sessions, workshops, and collaborative teams focused on best practices for students with autism and other complex needs
• Support the onboarding and training of newly hired special education teachers and paraprofessionals
• Stay current with research, trends, and best practices in special education, autism programming, and instructional coaching

Program Support & Collaboration

• Work closely with Special Education and school leaders to align coaching priorities with district program goals and the needs of individual school sites
• Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of program materials, tools, and instructional resources
• Support the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and other behavioral frameworks across substantially-separate settings
• Serve as a resource and thought partner for school-based teams navigating complex student needs

Data & Reporting

• Maintain coaching logs, observation notes, and records of professional development activities
• Collect and analyze data related to coaching cycles and instructional improvement to share with the Program Manager
• Assist teachers in developing systems for tracking and documenting student progress toward IEP goals

Qualifications

Required

• Master in Special Education or a related field 
• Valid state licensure/certification in Special Education (e.g., DESE license or equivalent)
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience in special education, with a strong background in autism and/or substantially-separate programming
• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based practices for students with autism spectrum disorder and other complex needs
• Strong understanding of IEP development, data collection, and progress monitoring
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build trusting relationships with adults and support a culture of continuous learning

Preferred

• Experience in an instructional coaching or teacher leadership role
• BCBA certification or training in applied behavior analysis
• Familiarity with AAC systems and assistive technology
• Experience facilitating professional development and leading collaborative teams

Compensation: Position is included in Malden Education Association Bargaining Unit (Unit A)

Work Year: 184 days, Starting August 24, 2026; Note: new educators to the Malden Public Schools are required to participate in two additional days of New Educator Orientation.

Reports To: Program Manager, Specialized Instruction

To Apply: Submit application online here.