Special Education RISE Co-Teacher - IDEA Palmview College Prep (Immediate Opening)

About the Role

The Special Education Co-Teacher position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain valuable experience in Special Education teaching. This role supports students with significant cognitive and/or pervasive developmental disabilities through a functional curriculum focused on daily living and vocational skills, leading to a successful transition to adult life within the community.

IDEA Special Education RISE Co-Teachers work in K-12 classrooms providing instruction in practical academics, communication, community, domestic, leisure/recreation, and vocational skills. The role emphasizes communication, independence, and opportunities to generalize skills in natural settings, as well as participation in general education activities with typical peers. Co-Teachers support the Special Education-RISE classroom in the Academy (K-5) or College Prep (6-12) with lower student-teacher ratios (often 1 to 3) to address academic needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the educational and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the facilitator and classroom teachers.
• Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students and monitor their progress.
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to enable full participation in activities.
• Work with other professionals, such as speech therapists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists.
• Assist classroom teachers with maintaining student records.
• Support students with emotional or behavioral concerns and assist in developing appropriate social skills.
• Assist with daily living activities, which may include feeding, lifting, and/or toileting in the Life Skills Unit.
• At some campuses, accompany students on school buses before or after school.

Requirements

• At least 48 college hours required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with children with cognitive and/or pervasive developmental disabilities strongly preferred.
• Willingness to pursue a Special Education teaching certification preferred.
• Capable of physically assisting students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, restraining).
• Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment.

Skills

We look for team members who embody the following values and characteristics:

• Believes and is committed to our mission: that all students are capable of getting to and through college.
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results and wants to be held accountable for them.
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly.
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes.
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change.
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, shared often and freely across all levels of the organization.
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships to achieve outcomes.
• Demonstrates a high level of conduct, professionalism, and behavior as models for colleagues and students.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Additional benefits include:

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on tenure and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year (subject to manager discretion and budget availability).
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions per year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services at no cost.
• Dental and vision plans.
• Disability and life insurance.
• Parenting benefits.
• Flexible spending account options.
• Generous vacation time.
• Referral bonuses.
• Professional development opportunities.
• 403(b) retirement plan.

IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray moving costs for this role, if applicable.

Pay

Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $16.05 (0 years of experience) and $23.17. Hourly co-teachers' earnings are paid out over a 12-month period.

About IDEA Public Schools

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA has grown from a small school with 150 students to the fastest-growing network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools in the United States. IDEA serves nearly 80,000 college-bound students across Texas, Florida, and Ohio, with a legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.

When you choose to work at IDEA, you join a team committed to ambitious goals, growth, and making college for all a reality.