Special Education Teacher / Learning Specialist (2025–2026 School Year)
The Opportunity
Rooted School Vancouver is on a mission to redefine what’s possible in public education. We are the first Washington State campus in the Rooted School national network, providing students with both the academic foundation and workforce-ready skills to graduate with a college acceptance in one hand and a job offer in the other.
Every year, more than 1,600 IT and STEM jobs open up in Southwest Washington—jobs that our students are ready to fill. We’re preparing them with industry credentials, project-based learning, and a deeply personalized education model. And we’re looking for a passionate, equity-minded Special Education / Learning Specialist to help us ensure that every student—especially those with exceptional needs—has full access to these opportunities.
What You’ll Do
As our Special Education / Learning Specialist, you will be at the forefront of ensuring students with disabilities and learning differences thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. You’ll design inclusive supports, lead compliance efforts, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with our instructional team to build a responsive, student-centered environment.
You’ll play a key role in fulfilling our Rooted Promise: to make sure every student, regardless of ability or background, has access to meaningful learning experiences that lead to real-world outcomes.
Your responsibilities will include:
Designing, delivering, and monitoring specially designed instruction in inclusive, small group, and 1:1 settings.
Leading the IEP process, including eligibility determinations, goal setting, progress monitoring, documentation, and family engagement.
Facilitating IEP meetings grounded in data and student growth, ensuring legal compliance and authentic student-centered planning.
Supporting the implementation of academic and behavioral interventions using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
Collaborating with general education teachers to co-plan, adapt instruction, and develop accommodations that meet student needs.
Managing and documenting performance data aligned to student IEP goals and communicating regularly with families.
Partnering with community-based service providers to support holistic student development.
Promoting a culture of inclusion, accessibility, and dignity for all students, grounded in universal design for learning (UDL) and trauma-informed practices.
Who You Are
You believe in the brilliance of every student. You are an empathetic educator who sees ability—not disability—and who creates learning spaces where every student can grow, contribute, and succeed. You are a systems thinker, a collaborative problem-solver, and a relentless advocate for educational equity.
We’re looking for someone who:
Brings a deep commitment to Rooted School’s mission and the full inclusion of students with disabilities in both academic and career pathways.
Possesses strong cultural humility and awareness, and consistently centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work.
Builds strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
Thrives in a startup school environment, where flexibility, initiative, and learning-by-doing are part of the daily rhythm.
Is deeply invested in trauma-informed practices, restorative approaches, and student agency.
Has experience designing and implementing supports for students across the continuum of needs, including in project-based and blended learning environments.
Required Qualifications:
Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with appropriate Special Education endorsement, or eligibility to obtain certification.
Bachelor's degree in Special Education, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
Demonstrated experience with IEP development, instructional accommodations, and legal compliance.
Familiarity with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and/or Response to Intervention (RTI).
Strong understanding of differentiation, curriculum adaptation, and assessment for diverse learners.
Experience working with students from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Why Rooted School Vancouver
Rooted School Vancouver is:
A community built on student-centered innovation and unwavering belief in equity.
A place where diversity is celebrated, and BIPOC students and educators thrive.
A team of people who are mission-driven, radically collaborative, and constantly learning.
A part of a national network redefining what’s possible for public high schools across the country.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $53,000 – $82,000 annually (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plan; paid time off; professional learning opportunities; potential stipends for additional responsibilities.
How to Apply
If you believe that every student deserves an education rooted in possibility, we invite you to apply. Click this link to submit your application to our Hiring Committee.
For questions, please contact us at: work@rootedschoolvancouver.org
Rooted School Vancouver (RSV) values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Rooted School Vancouver is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Steven Carney, Founding Executive Director
Mailing Address: 2005 SE 192nd Avenue, Suite 200, Camas, WA 98607-7475
Email: steven@rootedschoolvancouver.org
