2026-2027 Middle School Special Education Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Job Summary

This Special Education Teacher position is accountable to collaborate with administrators and staff in planning for and leading special education students to learning success. This position will be accountable for developing, modifying, providing and assessing specialized instruction based on the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards.

Essential Responsibilities

• Design coherent instruction using prescribed unit, lesson and co-teaching structures that align with state standards and emerging best practices.
• Create an instructional environment characterized by respect and rapport that promotes a culture of learning.
• Manage student behavior and classroom procedures effectively which promotes a safe learning environment.
• Achieve annual performance expectations as prescribed or approved by administration.
• Communicate with families on a regular basis and reply to family initiated communication in a timely manner.
• Maximize academic access, expectations and learning.

Mindsets

• Own It
• Walk Through the Door
• Look in the Mirror
• Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated
• Do Your Part

Qualifications

• Valid PA certification in Special Education PK-12, 9-12 or N-12, depending on instruction of grade level.
• Experience working with the special education school age population preferred.
• Knowledge of Special Education principles, laws, assessment practices etc. as well as proven methods of maximizing the educational experience of students with special needs.
• Strong instructional and classroom management skills.
• High level of personal organization and planning.
• Ability to develop rigorous lesson plans and assessments.
• Deep content area knowledge.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.
• Able to utilize data to differentiate instruction.
• A strong commitment to the Promising Principles of Propel.
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, high degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness with the ability to reflect and adapt to diverse environments.
• Skilled in the use of Google Suite and willing to experiment and work with new technologies.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to walk around the classroom at least 75% of the time while engaging with scholars.
• The person in this position constantly operates a computer and other technology in the classroom to support instruction.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with various internal and external stakeholders regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• When deemed age and/or developmentally appropriate, assist students in daily personal tasks (i.e.-tying shoes, assisting with coats, escorting to busses, and etc.).

Benefits

• Competitive salary for teachers ranging from $50,485- $101,454 (year 4 of salary scale).
• A relocation allowance for new hires moving to the area from 90 miles away or further.
• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options at a low cost for individual employees and families.
• Retail: New hires participate in a 403(b); Propel contributes 5% automatically and matches up to 4%. This increases after 5 years.
• Paid Leave: In addition to 2 paid Wellness Days annually, all teachers receive 5 sick days and 10 Personal Days.
• Tuition Assistance: Reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually upon completion of course and receipt of grades for coursework that meets our eligibility requirements.
• Wellness Benefit: Reimbursement of $20 per month for wellness activities including Gym Memberships, health programs, etc. All teachers have the ability to earn up to $300 for participation in a Wellness Program each year.
• Professional Development: At Propel, we believe in supporting teacher growth and provide substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support for teachers, including an extensive onboarding process called Induction for new teachers with on-going annual support during the school year called Immersion. All teachers receive 11.5 network-wide Professional Development days annually in addition to school-specific Professional Development.
• Leadership & Career Development: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Propel, both in and outside of the classroom. Staff have the opportunity to apply for Leadership Pathways as content, grade level or other school-based support roles which allow for experience in many different areas including Content, Wellness, Technology and more.