Lead Special Education Teacher

Melmark is a nonprofit organization providing clinically-sophisticated evidence-based special education, residential, vocational, and therapeutic services for children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, developmental and intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, medical complexities, and other neurological and genetic disorders.

About the role

The Lead Special Education Teacher provides educational instruction to assigned students in a structured classroom environment designed to promote intellectual, emotional, and social growth. They develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and teaching plans appropriate for children and adolescents (ages 5-21 years) with emotional, developmental, and/or behavioral needs.

Responsibilities

• Implements student behavior protocols and instructional protocols.
• Promotes safety of self and students through adherence to safety policies, including body positioning, physical management techniques, Universal precautions, and proper lifting of students.
• Follows student-specific daily block schedules as posted for the classroom.
• Models use of the classroom systems as intended by design.
• Provides supervision, training, and feedback for classroom staff.
• Ensures accurate data collection per target behavior and instruction.
• Completes behavior graphs accurately on each student’s targeted behaviors by administering a written biweekly feedback tool monthly; data entry is weekly.
• Demonstrates preparedness for first, second, and third planning meetings with all necessary materials.
• Ensures baseline and data collection is completed for proposed objectives.
• Completes the writing of IEP sections for students as required by timelines, ensuring content is appropriate for the child.
• Works with Curriculum Coordinator to complete Lesson Plans within 10 days of IEP and ensures each lesson plan is stamped before use.
• Ensures accurately summed and written Quarterly Progress reports are submitted timely.
• Ensures implementation of IEP objectives as designed per frequency per week for each student.
• Reviews student lesson plans daily and adjusts step levels, stimulus sets, etc., based on specified criteria.

Requirements

• Preferred Master’s Degree in Special Education. Candidates without a Master’s will be considered if eligible for a teaching license from the Department of Public Instruction and show evidence of continuous progress toward DPI licensure requirements for clear licensure.
• License in Exceptional Children – Adapted Curriculum or Exceptional Children – General Curriculum issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
• Valid US driver’s license and minimum age of twenty-one (21) years old; must be capable of attaining approved Melmark driver status.
• Prefer at least two (2) years’ experience with specialized populations.
• Advanced skills in educational and clinical services.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM (year-round).

Pay

Starting salary: $63,377.00 (+) based on years of experience.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday, and Sick).
• Melmark-sponsored Pension Plan and 403(b) with employer matching.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care.
• Life, AD&D, and Disability insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Generous Student Loan Reimbursement.
• Professional Conference and Research Opportunities.
• Onsite CEUs at no cost to employee.