(2026-2027) Special Education Teacher, Mercy School of Special Learning

About the role

The Special Education Teacher will coordinate and provide developmentally appropriate educational services to students whose abilities differ from their peers. Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of assessments and observations to determine areas where students may need extra or modified educational services, including academic performance, behavior, social development, or physical health.
• Identify and develop an integrated plan for the education of each child by collaborating with classroom teachers, parents, psychologists, social workers, and other medical and school staff.
• Develop individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensure each student's activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
• Develop and teach lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting required specifications of IEPs and 504 plans.
• Implement IEPs, provide ongoing or follow-up assessments, and continually track progress and make modifications as necessary.
• Ensure programs comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and are properly modified for individual needs.
• Develop, complete, and maintain all paperwork mandated by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.
• Maintain knowledge of special education teaching methods, research, and best practices through professional development and study.
• Establish and enforce classroom management structure and rules that ensure academic engagement and the physical and mental safety of all students.
• Actively supervise students in hallways before, after, and between classes, in a library, in the cafeteria, in bus areas, and at special events, ensuring safety and security.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters including social media and online platforms. Follow all policies upheld at Mercy School for Special Learning and the Allentown Diocese as per the teacher's handbook.
• Consistently display professionalism and be collaborative with all staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education.
• Current PA Teaching Certification.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of how to navigate sensitive matters and the ability to support and teach adults with intellectual, physical, and psychological disabilities.
• Ability to work independently, implement plans, demonstrate flexibility, and maintain confidentiality regarding consumer/Program activities.
• Required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment.
• Flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances, with a diversity of individuals.
• Clear records of Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (PATCH), Pennsylvania Child Abuse History, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Fingerprint Check as required under Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Act 153 of 2014 (at least 1 year old).
• Attendance at a Protecting God's Children class and Mandated Reporter Training.

Physical Demands

• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear; frequent use of equipment including repetitive motions and computer eye fatigue; possible biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, with occasional stooping, bending, and reaching.
• The employee must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and attend to the personal care of students.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Working Conditions

Normal classroom setting with working hours of 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. May be required to work outside normal hours to attend meetings, open houses, and workshops.