Special Education Director

Full Time | Leadership
Mars, PA, US

Special Education Director – Mars, PA

Hope is a premier provider of educational and therapeutic services for children with special needs throughout the North Pittsburgh region. We are a model of excellence, a safe haven for students, and a steady advocate for families who need our support.

Guided by compassion, integrity, innovation, perseverance, and teamwork, our multidisciplinary team takes a best-practices approach to helping every student succeed.

We will always be a source of hope.

Why Join Hope?

At Hope, we believe exceptional leaders deserve an environment where they are empowered to build strong teams, support outstanding educators, and create meaningful outcomes for students and families.

When you join our leadership team, you'll enjoy:

• Lead a mission-driven school — Shape the future of a growing Pennsylvania Approved Private School dedicated to serving students with complex educational needs.

• A collaborative leadership team — Partner with executive leadership, clinical professionals, and educational staff to drive innovation and excellence.

• Meaningful impact — Influence the educational experience of students while mentoring teachers and developing future leaders.

• A multidisciplinary culture — Work alongside behavior specialists, therapists, nurses, psychologists, and educators in an integrated educational model.

• Professional autonomy — Lead educational programming while ensuring compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations and best practices.

• Beautiful campus environment — Enjoy working on Hope's 30-acre wooded campus in Mars, PA.

• Work-life balance — Monday-Friday schedule aligned with the school calendar, including school breaks and a six-week ESY program.

• Competitive benefits — Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, paid time off, paid holidays, and additional employee benefits.

About the Role

The Special Education Director provides educational leadership for Hope Academy North, ensuring exceptional programming, regulatory compliance, and outstanding student outcomes.

This leader oversees all educational operations, supervises instructional staff, ensures compliance with Pennsylvania Approved Private School regulations, and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is an experienced educational leader with a proven history of successfully managing a private special education school in Pennsylvania and a deep understanding of special education law, instructional leadership, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Core ResponsibilitiesLead Educational Programming

Provide strategic leadership for all educational services, ensuring high-quality instruction and individualized programming that meets the unique needs of every student.

Supervise and Develop Staff

Recruit, mentor, coach, evaluate, and support teachers, classroom staff, and educational leaders while fostering professional growth and instructional excellence.

Ensure Regulatory Compliance

Maintain compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, Approved Private School requirements, IDEA, Chapter 14, and all applicable federal and state laws.

Oversee IEP Quality

Ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), supporting compliance and meaningful student progress.

Partner with Families

Build strong relationships with families by promoting open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and exceptional customer service.

Collaborate Across Disciplines

Work closely with behavior specialists, therapists, nursing staff, psychologists, and executive leadership to ensure integrated student supports.

Drive School Improvement

Analyze student outcomes, monitor educational performance, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and promote evidence-based instructional practices.

Support Organizational Growth

Assist with program development, enrollment planning, staffing strategies, budgeting, and long-term educational initiatives that strengthen Hope's mission.

What You BringRequired Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field

• Pennsylvania Special Education Certification required

• Minimum two years of educational leadership experience

• Experience leading or managing a Pennsylvania Approved Private School (APS) or private special education school strongly preferred

• Extensive knowledge of IDEA, Chapter 14, Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations governing Approved Private Schools.

• Demonstrated experience supervising teachers and multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong leadership, coaching, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Director of Special Education experience

• Experience leading program growth and school improvement initiatives

• Experience with PDE monitoring, compliance reviews, and licensing

• Knowledge of autism support, emotional support, and multiple disabilities programming

• Experience working with clinical and therapeutic service providers

Required Clearances

• Act 33 – PA Child Abuse History Clearance

• Act 34 – PA State Criminal History Clearance

• Act 114 – FBI Clearance (Department of Education)

• Act 126 – Mandated Reporter Training

• Act 168 – Previous Employer Disclosure

• CPR/First Aid Certification

• TB Test & Physical

Join Our Leadership Team

If you're an experienced educational leader who is passionate about building exceptional teams, supporting outstanding educators, and creating life-changing opportunities for students with special needs, we invite you to apply.

Join Hope and help lead a school where innovation, compassion, and excellence come together to make a lasting difference for students, families, and the community.