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

About the Role

IDEA Special Education RISE teachers ensure that students with a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities are held to high achievement expectations to reach their fullest potential. RISE Special Education teachers instruct all subjects—such as Reading, Writing, Math, History, and Adaptive PE—to students with intellectual, behavioral, and physical disabilities. They also provide resources, education, training, and emotional support to families to prepare them for long-term plans for their children.

Compensation

• Starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience: $63,500
• Eligible for stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ($500–$4,000 each)
• Additional performance-based compensation
• Additional hourly compensation for after-school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned

To ensure compliance with Texas Education Code 21.4031, selected candidates must submit official electronic service records from previous educational employers to validate professional experience and determine creditable years of service.

Benefits

IDEA offers 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: 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 for qualifying degree programs, up to $5,250 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.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
• Experience: Experience in a Special Education classroom setting with students who have significant disabilities (strongly preferred)
• Licenses or Certifications: Valid Texas state certification in Special Education (required); appropriate grade and subject band core content certification(s) or Texas Core Content Competency Worksheet (required)

Skills

• Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
• 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
• Ability to facilitate Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings
• Strong family engagement and communication
• Record of results for students who are academically at-risk

Responsibilities

• Adapt lessons to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Support coordination of related services for students on your caseload
• Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students
• Assess students’ performance, track progress, and update IEPs throughout the school year
• Collect and analyze student data to maximize achievement
• Discuss student progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators
• Prepare students for transitions between grades and post-graduation
• Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments
• Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback
• Use formal and informal assessments to adjust lesson plans and update gradebooks weekly
• Communicate students’ progress with families on a weekly basis
• Facilitate and personally use technology to improve student achievement and manage work tasks
• Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system aligned with campus-wide initiatives
• Foster a school-wide culture of productivity and enthusiasm for learning
• Establish cooperative relationships with students and families based on trust and respect
• Host tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs
• Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before/after-school duties, and school-wide functions
• Engage in summer and year-long professional learning and development
• Spend a minimum of 40+ hours at school per week
• Additional responsibilities may include after-school tutoring or Saturday school based on student needs

If applicable, oversee the daily work and responsibilities of a Special Education Co-Teacher (para-professional) in the RISE classroom.

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 a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, and Ohio, with a legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college. When you join IDEA, you become part of a team committed to ambitious goals, growth, and making college for all a reality.