Special Education Instructional Coach @ Special Services Department

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary & Benefits

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Moses Lake School District is seeking applications for a Special Education Instructional Coach. This position plays a critical leadership role in supporting high-quality special education services and ensuring students with disabilities receive effective, individualized instruction and support across a continuum of educational settings. The Instructional Coach serves as a districtwide resource and partner to special education teachers, paraeducators, administrators, and related service providers in strengthening instructional practices, improving student outcomes, and promoting compliance with special education requirements.

The Special Education Instructional Coach will provide instructional leadership, job-embedded coaching, professional learning, and program support to special education staff serving students from preschool through age 21. This position is responsible for supporting the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices, inclusive programming, behavior supports, specially designed instruction, classroom systems, and special education compliance requirements. Through collaboration, coaching, and mentoring, the Instructional Coach will help build staff capacity, strengthen programming, and promote consistency and continuous improvement across special education services throughout the district.

The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in special education, strong leadership and communication skills, and a commitment to supporting educators in creating engaging, equitable, and inclusive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities.

Interested applicants should submit an online application with all required documentation.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Position: 1.0 FTE Certificated Position
• Days: 180 (base contract)
• Hours: 7.0 (base contract)
• Supplemental Contract: 0.75 hours per day to support before-school and after-school meetings, coaching activities, consultation, and program support.
• Extended Contract: Ten (10) additional days to be worked prior to the start of the school year.
• Reports To: Director of Special Services

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as a special education teacher preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with students with a variety of disabilities and support needs across educational settings.
• Experience providing professional development, mentoring, instructional coaching, or instructional leadership preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Leadership and Collaboration

• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and positive working relationships with students, parents, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with teachers, paraeducators, administrators, related service providers, and support staff.
• Ability to facilitate problem-solving and collaborative planning to address student, classroom, and program needs.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to support continuous improvement efforts.

Instructional Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of specially designed instruction, intervention strategies, differentiated instruction, and universal design for learning.
• Ability to support teachers in developing effective instructional systems, schedules, routines, and classroom structures.
• Knowledge of inclusive practices and strategies that support student access to general education environments and curriculum.
• Ability to model effective instructional strategies and provide job-embedded coaching, feedback, and support.

Behavioral and Social-Emotional Supports

• Knowledge and experience with positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), behavior intervention plans, de-escalation strategies, and classroom management systems.
• Ability to assist staff in developing proactive systems that promote student engagement, self-regulation, and success.
• Ability to analyze behavioral and academic data to support instructional decision-making and intervention planning.

Program Development and Compliance

• Knowledge of federal and state special education laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting IEP development, implementation, progress monitoring, evaluation procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Ability to assist staff in implementing best practices related to service delivery, specially designed instruction, and student supports.
• Ability to support teachers and administrators in maintaining compliance while focusing on meaningful educational outcomes for students.
• Knowledge of transition planning requirements and services for students receiving special education services.

Professional Learning and Paraeducator Support

• Ability to design and facilitate professional development focused on instructional practices, behavior supports, compliance requirements, and special education service delivery.
• Ability to support teachers in effectively training, supervising, and utilizing paraeducators.
• Ability to build staff capacity through coaching, mentoring, modeling, and collaborative reflection.

Additional Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel between district sites and support programs across multiple grade levels, including preschool through transition-age programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, core principles, and policies of the Moses Lake School District.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provide instructional coaching and ongoing support to special education teachers across district programs.
• Model evidence-based instructional practices, intervention strategies, and classroom management techniques.
• Support implementation of district initiatives, instructional frameworks, and special education program expectations.
• Assist teachers with instructional planning, specially designed instruction, progress monitoring, and data-based decision making.
• Support implementation of inclusive practices and services that increase student access, participation, and achievement.
• Assist staff with behavior support systems, intervention planning, and implementation of positive behavioral supports.
• Facilitate professional learning opportunities for special education teachers, paraeducators, and support staff.
• Collaborate with administrators and district leadership to identify program strengths, needs, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support compliance with special education regulations, timelines, and documentation requirements.
• Assist with transition planning and services for students receiving special education support.
• Participate in district meetings, program reviews, and collaborative planning activities.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices, legal requirements, and emerging trends in special education.
• Perform other duties related to supporting special education programs and student success as assigned.

The Moses Lake School District #161 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX, Civil Rights, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity officer, Michelle Musso, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, (509) 766-2650, mmusso@mlsd161.org; OR Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Samantha Burgess, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, (509) 766- 2670, sburgess@mlsd161.org.