Certified Special Education Teacher

About the role

Plans and implements the effective instruction to assigned students by planning and preparing lesson plans, establishing a supportive learning environment, delivering instruction, assessing student progress, and providing guidance for support staff.

This position will support the STAIRS classroom at the Day Academy and serves students from 1st through 12th grade with autism and high support needs who are receiving treatment in TCV’s STAIRS Program, a specialized residential treatment program for children and adolescents with autism/IDD with severe challenging behaviors on the Devereux TCV campus in Homestead.

Responsibilities

• Delivers engaging, differentiated instruction using evidence-based practices for students with autism.
• Prepares lesson plans, adapts teaching strategies, and monitors student progress.
• Safety & Compliance: Follows all policies related to safety, behavior management, and confidentiality. Applies autism-informed practices and approved crisis intervention techniques.
• Develops and implements IEPs with measurable goals. Tracks progress regularly and completes required reports and documentation.
• Uses approved therapeutic and behavior strategies. Ensures behavioral goals are implemented and monitored consistently with support staff.
• Provides direction, coaching, and feedback to classroom support staff. Delegates tasks and supports daily classroom operations.
• Maintains accurate attendance and completes required documentation in a timely manner.
• Meets regularly with staff to review student progress and plan instruction. Supports team goals and collaborates effectively.
• Communicates regularly with families and school districts. Shares student progress and addresses concerns.
• Pursues ongoing growth in autism education.
• Completes assigned responsibilities independently, meets deadlines, and maintains required certifications and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and an active Special Education Instructional I or II Pennsylvania teacher certification.
• Special Education Teacher with 5-7 years of special education experience and 3+ years of experience working with children with autism.
• Experience developing, leading, and monitoring IEPs with measurable goals across academic, behavioral, communication, and adaptive domains.

Qualifications

• Significant amounts of walking, sitting, and standing.
• Some lifting and/or managing resistance required related to applying physical intervention techniques – upwards of 75-100 lbs. or more.
• Some repetitive wrist/hand movements, normal hearing and vision.
• Occasional use of computers and office equipment.
• Occasional driving of Devereux vehicles for business purposes.
• Ability to meet 100% mastery of Safe and Positive Approaches (S&PA) techniques.

Skills

• Instruction & Classroom Management
• Safety & Compliance
• IEP Development & Progress Monitoring
• Behavior Support
• Staff Leadership
• Team Collaboration
• Administrative Tasks
• Family Communication
• Professional Development
• Professional Accountability

Benefits

• Tuition Assistance
• Health, Vision, Dental Insurance (must work 30 hours a week to be eligible)
• 403 (b) retirement plan
• Paid Training
• Student Loan Assistance

Pay

$60,000 up to $63,000 annually depending on related experience

Schedule

Hours worked will be based on the 10-month school calendar