Special Education Director/ Guide, Phoenix Modern


Position:
Special Education Director/ Guide

Type:
Charter


Location:
Urban


Job ID:
134045

County:
East Maricopa


Posted:
May 10, 2026




Contact Information:
Phoenix Modern
14109 North 109th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85255-1600
District Website

Contact:
Nikol Carlson
Phone: 4804429641
Fax:
District Email


Job Description:

PAY: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 based on experience and certifications

JOB TYPE: Full-time, Inperson, Salaried

JOB DESCRIPTION: Are you ready to finally have the freedom to embrace a whole child, holistic approach in special education? Phoenix Modern is seeking a certified Special Education Teacher who demonstrates the following characteristics:

  • Care for the well-being and growth of children

  • Genuine trust in children and an interest in finding their strengths

  • Playful and curious spirit with a passion for learner-centered curriculum design

  • Entrepreneurial with a strong desire to play a major role in building a new school model in Phoenix

  • Strong work ethic and consistent follow through

  • Continually self reflective with the intent to improve

  • Committed to creating and embracing different types of diversity

  • Strategic, with the ability to approach situations with optimism and perseverance

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Director related responsibilities:

  • Serves as the LEA specialist in special education law; specifically, state and federal statutes and regulations

  • Oversees and monitors all school initiatives related to special education to ensure compliance

  • Oversees the Special Education Census

  • Serves as a liaison to the Department of Education on special education matters

  • Works in cooperation with state and community health and social welfare agencies

  • Conducts or facilitates ongoing staff development opportunities for special education staff, regular education staff, and administrators, in relation to Special Education.

  • Prepares all reports as required by the Department of Education

  • Writes and supervises all special education grants

  • Participates in IEP meetings, MET meetings, and Manifestation

  • Determination Hearings, as appropriate.

  • Conducts research and keeps abreast of new developments in the field

  • Provides leadership in the planning and development of additional special education services

  • Prepares Request For Proposals for purchased services in a timely manner

  • Oversees contract service providers in relation to Special Education services

  • Works with the Executive Director and School Director to ensure compliance with Arizona assessment Programs

  • Evaluates other Special Education staff as assigned

  • Performs other duties that may be assigned by the school director

Guide related responsibilities include:

Build a loving community

  • Speak with children in a friendly, positive, courteous manner; listen to children with attention and respect.

  • Foster a safe, and inclusive community and culture of care among learners by developing rituals and routines

  • Engage learners in restorative conversations

  • Co-develop authentic systems for accountability aligned to our learning approach

Create rich learning experiences

  • Work collaboratively with general education teachers and provide support around differentiating instruction in the general education learning studio

  • Inspire learner curiosity by asking thought provoking questions, engaging in playful inquiry alongside learners, and creating learning provocations

  • Plan and facilitate a variety of learning experiences, ranging from small group instruction, to workshops, to 1:1 conferencing

  • Provide challenges, frameworks, processes, tools and world class examples to support excellence in learning

  • Elevate learners’ voices, critical thinking, and perspective-taking by facilitating small group Socratic discussions

  • Promote problem solving through open-ended questions and suggestions

Monitor and document individual learning

  • Monitor and support academic progress for core skills; hold students accountable

  • Document various data-points to illustrate each learner’s holistic growth

  • Support student-led exhibitions of learning for special education learners

  • Communicate with parents about learners’ progress

Contributing to the Phoenix Modern Community

  • Contribute collaboratively to the betterment of our community

  • Identify ways to serve others and add value to our team

  • Be present and on time for team and community gatherings



Other:

WHO ARE WE?

Phoenix Modern is reimagining the design and approach of school for learners age 5- 14. We value wonder, love, joy, and growth for children. Our purpose is to support a diverse community of learners in developing the skills, mindset, and character that best prepare them for positive, healthy and productive engagement in the world. Our ESL Director ensures that all learners are able to access their education in this setting. 

Our instructional approach at Phoenix Modern provides learners significant opportunities to play an active role in their own learning and shape their community. On a typical day, learners engage in self-paced core skill development using a variety of tools and resources, participate in guided discussions, and immerse themselves in multi-week projects and workshops. Our mixed-age studios are prepared for between 20-25 learners, representing 2 levels in each studio. Our ELS (special education) team supports about 15-20% of the learners at Phoenix Modern. These learners each have different learning challenges and strengths including specific learning disabilities, other health impairments and autism. We contract services for OT, speech and psychology. Learn more at www.phoenixmodern.org

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Masters degree (preferred)

  • Special education degree

  • 3+ years teaching experience 

  • Special Education Certification 

  • Leadership experience 

  • Ability to commute to Phoenix, AZ 85012 

BENEFITS:

  • 401(k)

  • 401(k) matching

  • Dental insurance

  • Health insurance

  • Life insurance

  • Paid time off

  • Vision insurance

WORK LOCATION:

200 E. Mitchell Drive

Phoenix, AZ 852015 

TO APPLY:

The proposed start date is July 2026 with some additional training opportunities available earlier. Before applying, please be sure to explore our website, including descriptions of our program and blog post. Please submit responses and upload your resume through our online application found on our website at https://phoenixmodern.org/team/ https://form.jotform.com/221007153890146