SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER 2024-2025 SY

The Special Education Teacher is passionate about supporting the students who are at-risk for academic underperformance due to a variety of challenges so that they can succeed in the school’s rigorous academic program. The Special Education Teacher holds primary responsibility for providing additional academic, emotional, and physical services for students who require additional support to thrive within the school’s core academic program.   Supporting the needs of our special abilities students also requires a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters and  lives of students both in and out of school.

Specific Responsibilities

• Use Understanding by Design curriculum framework developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe. This framework is based on a “backwards design” model, includes teacher reflection, using big ideas and teaching meaningful and transferable skills to plan lessons that meet the goals of student’s IEP and are aligned with the school’s curriculum;
• Review and become familiar with the accommodations, modifications and related services in the student’s IEP
• Ensure that the necessary accommodations and modifications are properly implemented in accordance with the student’s IEP.
• Develop and teach lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting required specifications of IEPs and 504 plans.
• Attend all required Identification, Annual Evaluation and Re-evaluation meetings as needed;
• Establish and communicate clear measurable  objectives for all learning activities;
• Implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards (PLAAFP);
• Utilize assessment data to individualize/ personalize curriculum and inform instructional practices;
• Monitor the progress of individual students and use formative and summative data  information to adjust teaching strategies;
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development in PowerSchool, including data entry of grades, assessments, and parent communication when necessary.
• Participate in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, professional development, summer institute and school-wide functions;
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures aligned with the school’s philosophy and practices;
• Attend to students' physical, personal, academic, and social-emotional learning needs, (i.e. restorative justice, equity) 
• Collaborate with general education Teacher,  Associate Teacher, instructional aides and support staff to maintain and implement a rigorous instructional program. 
• Maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school;
• Participate in department, school, district, and parent meetings;
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students and colleagues and establish a two-way system of communication with parents and guardians to communicate necessary information regarding student progress and student needs;
• Develop Student Growth Objectives (SGO)  to transition more individualized, personalized instruction, equity and access. 
• Implementing appropriate RTI process as necessary. 
• Work with the school leadership team to develop external and internal community engagement strategies for the school.
• Assist in organizing/planning events to recognize and celebrate accomplishments of students and staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Designee.

Qualifications

• Proven mastery of academic subjects and instructional best practices that lead to high student engagement;
• Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player and problem solve;
• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred; and
• A New Jersey Department of Education Standard Certificate, Certificate of Eligibility (CE), or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) required
• Two years teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting is preferred.;

REPORTS TO & EVALUATED BY:Director of Curriculum & Instruction/Student Affairs

Salary: Starting at $62,000 based on certification and experience