Founding SPED Advisor (Special Education Teacher) - Vacancy ID: 252239

Action Research Community High School seeks a founding SPED Advisor to support students with IEPs and 504 plans in Milwaukee's first Gold Standard project-based learning high school. Opening Fall 2026, ARCHS will serve 80 students in grades 9-12 on Milwaukee's South Side, growing to 160 students at capacity. We anticipate 20-40% of our students will have IEPs.

Unlike traditional special education roles, SPED Advisors do not have their own advisory or self-contained classroom. Instead, they work alongside Core Advisors to support students with disabilities across all settings—classrooms, community-based learning at Milwaukee Public Library, and independent projects. This is a collaborative, push-in model focused on full inclusion.

As a founding team member, you will help build inclusive systems from the ground up, ensuring students with disabilities have full access to authentic project-based learning.

Key Responsibilities

•      Serve as case manager for assigned students with IEPs and 504 plans

•      Develop, write, and monitor IEPs in compliance with IDEA and Wisconsin DPI regulations

•      Lead IEP meetings, annual reviews, and re-evaluations in partnership with families

•      Partner with Core Advisors to develop differentiated materials and facilitate access to learning

•      Accompany students to Milwaukee Public Library and community-based learning experiences

•      Co-teach and provide push-in support during project work, seminars, and exhibitions

•      Collect and analyze progress monitoring data to inform instruction and IEP goals

•      Support transition planning connecting post-secondary goals to project experiences

Required Qualifications

•      Bachelor's degree in Special Education or related field

•      Valid Wisconsin Special Education teaching license (Cross-Categorical or specific disability area)

•      Minimum 2-3 years special education teaching experience, preferably at secondary level

•      Demonstrated expertise in IEP development, implementation, and compliance

Preferred Qualifications

•      Master's degree in Special Education

•      Bilingual Spanish-English proficiency

•      Experience with project-based learning or competency-based education

•      Training in Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

•      Experience with co-teaching and collaborative service delivery models

•      Background in restorative justice practices

Benefits

•      Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) enrollment

•      Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

•      Paid vacation, sick leave, and personal days

•      Professional development including SPED and PBL conferences

•      Founding team opportunity to build inclusive systems from inception

Application Instructions

Submit resume, cover letter, and three professional references through WECAN. In your cover letter, please address: (1) your experience supporting students with disabilities in inclusive settings, (2) your approach to collaborating with general education teachers, and (3) why you want to help build special education systems for a new school.

Equal Opportunity Statement

ARCHS is committed to building a diverse team that reflects the community we serve. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who identify as Latino, bilingual, and/or from Milwaukee's South Side. ARCHS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.