Special Education Program Coordinator

Special Education Program Coordinator Putnam Public Schools is seeking a dedicated and collaborative Special Education Program Coordinator to oversee the district's specialized special education programs and self-contained classrooms, ensuring they are student-centered, legally compliant, and deeply integrated into the school community. Serving as a vital bridge between families, classroom staff, and administrators, this professional provides direct supervision and coaching for program paraeducators. This role is designed to strengthen team coordination and support teaching staff rather than replace the classroom teacher as the primary case manager and instructional provider. Essential Responsibilities Program Oversight & Alignment: Direct the daily operations and long-term development of specialized programs; ensure consistent implementation, proper staffing structures, and seamless grade-level transitions across the district. PPT Meeting Support: Attend Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings; assist teachers with data preparation and ensure IEP goals, behavior plans, and mainstreaming opportunities are clearly defined and implemented. Inclusion & School Community Advocacy: Coordinate meaningful inclusion opportunities, partner with general education staff to remove barriers, and ensure specialized program students actively participate in schoolwide events, electives, and extracurriculars. Crisis Response & Behavioral Coaching: Provide direct crisis intervention support, lead post-incident debriefings with teams, analyze behavioral data trends, and partner with families on student re-entry planning. Paraeducator Supervision: Directly supervise, schedule, coach, and evaluate paraeducators within the specialized programs to maintain high professional standards and therapeutic consistency. Family Liaison: Serve as the secondary point of contact for families (following the classroom teacher) to streamline communication, solve complex problems, and navigate transitions. Qualifications Connecticut Intermediate Administration and Supervision Certificate (092), or documented eligibility, is required. Connecticut Special Education Certification or another appropriate district-approved credential. Extensive experience working with students exhibiting significant academic, behavioral, social-emotional, developmental, and/or communication needs. Proven expertise in IEP development, PPT compliance, and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). Demonstrated ability to supervise support staff, analyze data trends, and communicate calmly and effectively during crisis situations. Advanced training in crisis intervention, de-escalation (e.g., PMT, CPI), trauma-informed practices, or Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) is strongly preferred. Rate of Pay $56,198 - $100,761 per year (determined by contractual agreement) Start Date August 24, 2026 Application Procedure External applicants: Please submit your application through our website: Internal applicants: Please submit a letter of interest to Rebecca Lopes, Director of Student Services Application closing date: Open until filled Equal Opportunity Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr