---
title: 'Education Specialist K-5 (Special Education Teacher Mild/Moderate) 2026-2027 School Year at High Tech High'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/education-specialist-k-5-special-education-teacher-mild-moderate-2026-2027-zde9xkcw6rmt'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Education Specialist K-5 (Special Education Teacher Mild/Moderate) 2026-2027 School Year at High Tech High

- **Company:** High Tech High
- **Location:** Point Loma, CA
- **Compensation:** $68k–$120k
- **Employment:** contract
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-02-25
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hightechhigh/8cc77349-e712-4db2-a426-137f5b7b7799

## Job description

Education Specialist (Special Education Teacher Mild/Moderate) 2026 -2027 School Year High Tech Elementary

Reports To: School Director FLSA Classification: Certificated, 188-day Full Time/Part Time Status: Salary, full time, exempt Regular/Temporary: Regular Salary: Teacher Framework (Steps 1-29) Range: $67,525.48 - $120,342.20. Salary is commensurate with experience and education level. Application Opening: 08/17/26 Application Closing: 09/1/26

Developed by a coalition of San Diego civic leaders and educators, High Tech High opened in September 2000 as a small public charter school with plans to serve approximately 450 students.  HTH has evolved into an integrated network of sixteen charter schools serving approximately 6,350 students in grades K-12 across four campuses.

Located in San Diego County, California, High Tech High (HTH) is guided by four connected design principles—equity, personalization, authentic work, and collaborative design—that set aspirational goals and create a foundation for understanding our approach. If you are motivated by these principles, we encourage you to join our team!

HTH seeks an Education Specialist (Special Education Teacher Mild/Moderate) to serve as an essential support to meet the needs of students with disabilities in the general education setting.

## JOB SUMMARY

Education  Specialists provide assessment services and,  if needed,  develop,  implement,  and supervise  Individualized  Education  Plans  (IEPs). In collaboration with classroom teachers and parents/guardians, Education Specialists support and monitor student progress towards IEP goals, and play a crucial role in communicating needs, services, and accommodations to  staff and parents/guardians.

Duties include:

●      Provide individuals instruction and support to students with special needs in a general education setting ●      Support general education teachers by developing related goals and objectives, planning, and implementation strategies to meet the needs of students with IEPs ●      Provide accommodations for students with individual needs to encourage learning and success ●      Identifies and supports students’ social, emotional and behavioral learning needs ●      Implements Project-based Learning techniques and strategies ●      Facilitates and designs effective group work amongst students ●      Fosters student growth through semi-annual Student-led Conferences (SLC) and Presentations of Learning (POL) ●      Scaffolds instructional activities that facilitate engaging and appropriate learning opportunities ●      Creates relevant and authentic learning experiences ●      Provides opportunities for student engagement through “Voice and Choice” ●      Implements backward design to align all lessons, activities and assessments ●      Designs formal and informal assessments that measure student progress

The ideal candidate would possess the following competencies:

●      Inform and communicate effectively with students, families and staff ●      Ability to demonstrate content knowledge, including California Common Core Standards ●      Exhibits knowledge of student cognitive development and various learning styles ●      Organization skills ●      Presentation and large group discussion skills ●      Ability to provide strong emotional support to students and families ●      Ability to manage diversity ●      Speak and write succinctly using plan language

## EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

●      Bachelor’s Degree required ●      Basic Skills (CBEST) ●      Must have a California or Out-of-State/Country Credential ●      1+year working with students as a Teacher, Intern, or Academic Coach preferred ●      English Learner Authorization, or CLAD, preferred

## EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

●      Bachelor's Degree ●      Valid California Education Specialist Teaching Credential or Out-of-state teaching license

## BENEFITS

HTH offers:

- Medical, dental and vision insurance (elective)
- AFLAC supplemental insurance (elective)
- Section 125 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (elective)
- California State Teacher Retirement Plan (CalSTRS) (mandatory)
- 403(b) Plan and group life insurance (elective)
- No cost after-care for K-8 HTH students of staff members; and
- No cost Teacher Induction for certificated staff

APPLY TODAY!

If you fit the qualifications above and are looking for a forward-thinking, innovative institution that embodies visionary leadership and embraces diversity, then High Tech High is the place for you!

To apply, visit our website, and complete an online application: https://www.hightechhigh.org/about-us/join-our-team

High Tech High provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, High Tech High complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the practice has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Open until filled.

## About High Tech High

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: High Tech High is a network of 16 public charter schools in San Diego County that uses a project-based, equity-focused approach to educate K-12 students.
- **Entity Type**: Non-profit charter management organization (publicly funded, not a traditional private or public company)
- **Headquarters**: San Diego, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2000
- **Founders**: Developed by a coalition of San Diego civic leaders and educators (individual names not publicly listed)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Education (K-12 public charter schools, teacher credentialing, graduate education)
- Target customers: Students in grades K-12 and their families (primarily in San Diego County); also educators seeking certification and professional development
- Mission or purpose statement: “High Tech High is an equity project. Teachers work to address inequities and help students reach their full potential.” The organization is guided by four design principles: Equity, Personalization, Authentic Work, and Collaborative Design.

## Products & Services
- **K-12 Schools**: 16 schools across four campuses (5 elementary, 5 middle, 6 high schools) serving approximately 6,350 students. Admissions are via a zip code-based lottery to create diverse, integrated schools.
- **Teacher Credentialing Program**: A District Intern Program and Teacher Induction Program that allows individuals to earn a California teaching credential while teaching.
- **High Tech High Graduate School of Education**: Offers professional development and advanced degrees for educators, both nationally and internationally.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (public charter school organization)
- **Key Metric**: Serves approximately 6,350 students across 16 schools (as of 2026)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Authorized by two charter authorizers: San Diego Unified School District (Point Loma schools) and California Department of Education Statewide Benefit Charter (other campuses). No external investors; funded through public education funding.
- **Growth Signals**: The network has expanded from 1 school (2000) to 16 schools serving K-12. The organization also includes a Graduate School of Education, indicating ongoing institutional growth. Hiring primarily occurs December–May, with “Hiring Bonanzas” for teachers.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Project-Based Learning Model**: Curriculum integrates hands-on projects, fieldwork, internships, and community partnerships, creating authentic, real-world connections.
- **Teacher-Driven Culture**: Teachers collaboratively design curriculum, lead professional development, and participate in hiring, giving them significant autonomy and ownership.
- **Equity Focus**: Intentionally diverse schools via zip code lottery, no academic tracking, and a strong emphasis on college access and completion.
- **Comprehensive Adult Learning**: The teacher credentialing program and graduate school allow HTH to “grow” its own educators and attract mission-aligned talent.

## Strategic Focus
- Current priorities: Continuing to deepen project-based learning, strengthening equity practices, and expanding professional development offerings. The organization is also focused on recruiting and retaining qualified, credentialed educators who align with the design principles.
- Growth direction: Primarily internal growth through existing school network and adult learning programs; no plans for rapid expansion outside San Diego County indicated.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture Highlights**: Collaborative, teacher-driven environment where educators have freedom to design curriculum. Emphasis on authentic work, student-centered learning, and professional growth.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: On-site at school locations; teachers work 188 days per year (August–June) with 22 semi-monthly pay periods. Hourly employees use a biometric timeclock system.
- **Notable Perks**: Professional development including “New Teacher Odyssey” in early August, credentialing support (District Intern Program), and a clear compensation framework based on experience and degrees. Benefits normal for public school employees.
- **Engineering Culture**: Not applicable (education-focused, not tech). However, the organization values collaboration, innovation, and project-based design.
- **Important Notes**: Must hold a California teaching credential for certificated positions. Does not sponsor H1-B visas. Background check required.

## Sources
1. [hightechhigh.org/hr/working](https://www.hightechhigh.org/hr/working/)
2. [hightechhigh.org/about](https://www.hightechhigh.org/about/)
3. [jobs.lever.co/hightechhigh](https://jobs.lever.co/hightechhigh)
4. [hightechhigh.org/about/join-our-team](https://www.hightechhigh.org/about/join-our-team/)

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