Secondary Special Education Coordinator - Deering High School
- TrulyHired
- Portland, ME, USA
- Jun 01, 2026
Job Description
Job Description
TITLE: SecondarySpecial Education Coordinator Deering High School
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Under the supervision and guidance of the Principal, the Special Education (SE) Coordinator supports the school's Special Education Team in ensuring that all students requiring special education and related services receive appropriate instruction, programming, and support. This role directly supports Portland Public Schools' five-year strategic plan, which prioritizes building schools' capacity to provide more effective instruction to students with disabilities across the continuum of services. The SE Coordinator's role also directly supports the district's ongoing focus on improving students' academic and social-emotional outcomes and promoting equity.
The SE Coordinator is responsible for organizing and monitoring all SE programs and services in the school and will provide direct support to teachers and ed techs at the classroom level, including those working in specialized programs. They will serve as the school's assigned LEA representative, participate in the school's leadership team, and work in close collaboration with the secondary network teams and the central office special education team, as well as families and community partners.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
+ Leadership and Coordination
+ IEP Management and Compliance
+ Student Case Management and Support
+ Professional Development and Support for Classroom Educators
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:
ABOUT DEERING HIGH SCHOOL:
Deering is a comprehensive public high school (one of three in Portland Public Schools) in an urban location. There are approximately 100 teachers and professional staff. Deering is the most diverse high school north of Boston, with an enrollment of nearly 900 students in grades 9-12. For us, living up to these values means creating a strong and inclusive community, supporting all students in achieving at high levels, and promoting student voice and youth advocacy throughout our academic and co-curricular programs. We are working to make sure this is a community where students feel respected, welcomed, and valued. To achieve this goal, we work with our students to create an environment where they feel physically, socially, and emotionally safe and have the tools they need to be healthy and well. Here, our students are challenged by choice. Each student can choose an academic track that best suits their needs and abilities, and they are not locked into a single track. This helps ensure that every student gets what they need when they need it. We believe in our student leaders and in making sure all students feel empowered. We are dedicated to promoting opportunities for students to take on meaningful leadership positions and to uplifting student voices.
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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
Welcome to ATX Learning
Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.
The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.
Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.
The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.
Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.
Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.
The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.
High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and "green" construction.
More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.
Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.
Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.
See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.
TITLE: SecondarySpecial Education Coordinator Deering High School
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Under the supervision and guidance of the Principal, the Special Education (SE) Coordinator supports the school's Special Education Team in ensuring that all students requiring special education and related services receive appropriate instruction, programming, and support. This role directly supports Portland Public Schools' five-year strategic plan, which prioritizes building schools' capacity to provide more effective instruction to students with disabilities across the continuum of services. The SE Coordinator's role also directly supports the district's ongoing focus on improving students' academic and social-emotional outcomes and promoting equity.
The SE Coordinator is responsible for organizing and monitoring all SE programs and services in the school and will provide direct support to teachers and ed techs at the classroom level, including those working in specialized programs. They will serve as the school's assigned LEA representative, participate in the school's leadership team, and work in close collaboration with the secondary network teams and the central office special education team, as well as families and community partners.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
+ Leadership and Coordination
- Coordinate the building-based special education (SE) team, facilitating regular meetings and check-ins with SE staff
- Serve on the school leadership team as the point person for all matters relating to special education
- Collaborate with the school leadership team on scheduling to ensure that all required special education services are provided to students
- Attend monthly Special Education Coordinator meetings to ensure school alignment with district special education practices
+ IEP Management and Compliance
- Coordinate the scheduling of all IEP meetings
- Serve as LEA representative for all Individual Educational Program (IEP) meetings
- Monitor all IEP processes and paperwork requirements to ensure compliance with relevant laws, policies, and timelines
- Review all IEPs and other SE documents before they are finalized, including initial referrals
+ Student Case Management and Support
- Manage grade-span appropriate transition processes for students with IEPs
- High School: 8th to 9th, IEP Transition plans
- Serve as case manager for students in private school placements, as assigned by the network Director of Special Education
- Submit requests for district-level resources (specialized transportation, 1:1 adult support, specialized programs, etc.) to the network Director of Special Education for approval
- Collaborate with SE case managers to ensure appropriate achievement testing and observations are completed in accordance with referral and reevaluation processes
- Support the implementation of standardized testing accommodations and any alternate assessments
- Consult and collaborate with the school's Response to Intervention (RTI) / MTSS team to provide special education expertise and information
- Support the classroom and other teachers to understand each child's disability and share accommodations with all staff working with each child
+ Professional Development and Support for Classroom Educators
- Deliver special education professional development to SE staff, in collaboration with the network Directors of Special Education
- Consult with general and special education teachers on evidence-based instructional strategies and methodologies for students with IEPs
- Manage, in collaboration with school leadership, SE staffing on a day-to-day basis, reassigning staff to cover absences and stepping in to provide coverage for breaks or planning meetings when staffing reaches critically low levels
- Serve as a mentor for new special education teachers
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated commitment to delivering positive academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students, particularly students with disabilities
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity in education
- Self-awareness, openness to feedback, and eagerness to develop professionally
- Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of working collaboratively with others while also delivering exceptional results
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Well-developed technology skills, particularly the ability to use essential Google and/or Microsoft applications (e.g., Google Docs/Sheets/Slides or MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint)
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
- At least three years of experience leading IEP meetings and/or assigned LEA representative responsibilities
- [Preferred] At least three years of special education teaching experience
- [Preferred] Maine State Teaching Certificate with Endorsement 286 and/or experience working in programs or students with significant special education needs (intellectual, functional, social/emotional, behavioral, etc.)
- [Preferred] Advanced degree in special education or related field
CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- One of the following Maine State Certifications (more info):
- Teacher Certificate with 282 Endorsement (Teacher of Students with Disabilities, 7-12)
- Administrate Certificate 030 (Administrator of Special Education)
- Administrator Certificate 035 (Assistant Administrator of Special Education)
- Certificate 079 (Special Education Consultant)
- Maine State CHRC authorization (more info) **
- **if you already have an active DOE certification, you do not need a separate CHRC as this clearance is tied to your existing certification
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:
- Calendar: 193 days (standard school year + 10 days)
- Assignment: Permanent
- Overtime: Not eligible for overtime
- Contract: Contract under negotiation (see 2025-2028 PEA CBA here for guidance on approximate salary scales)
- Salary: Based on education and experience
- Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here
- Reports to: Principal
ABOUT DEERING HIGH SCHOOL:
Deering is a comprehensive public high school (one of three in Portland Public Schools) in an urban location. There are approximately 100 teachers and professional staff. Deering is the most diverse high school north of Boston, with an enrollment of nearly 900 students in grades 9-12. For us, living up to these values means creating a strong and inclusive community, supporting all students in achieving at high levels, and promoting student voice and youth advocacy throughout our academic and co-curricular programs. We are working to make sure this is a community where students feel respected, welcomed, and valued. To achieve this goal, we work with our students to create an environment where they feel physically, socially, and emotionally safe and have the tools they need to be healthy and well. Here, our students are challenged by choice. Each student can choose an academic track that best suits their needs and abilities, and they are not locked into a single track. This helps ensure that every student gets what they need when they need it. We believe in our student leaders and in making sure all students feel empowered. We are dedicated to promoting opportunities for students to take on meaningful leadership positions and to uplifting student voices.
--
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
Welcome to ATX Learning
Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.
The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.
Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.
The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.
Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.
Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.
The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.
High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and "green" construction.
More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.
Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.
Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.
See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.
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