Special Education Self-Contained Teacher (26-27SY)

Mission Statement

Uplift's mission is to create and sustain public schools of excellence that empower each student to reach their highest potential in college and the global marketplace and that inspire in students a life‑long love of learning, achievement, and service in order to positively change their world.

Summary

Provide special education students with appropriate learning activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Develop student‑level instructional materials through modified curriculum and prepared lesson plans. Conduct work in self‑contained, team, departmental or itinerant capacity as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Instructional Strategies: Work with students, parents, and staff to develop IEPs through the ARD Committee process; design, write, and use instructional, therapeutic, or skill‑development programs; ensure comprehension of learning styles and meet needs with appropriate strategies, activities, materials, and equipment; collaborate with classroom teachers on IEP modifications; participate in ARD Committee meetings; design instructional activities using data from learning‑style assessments; ensure IEP guidelines are met; use varied media and techniques; produce and oversee teacher aide and volunteer assignments; employ technology to strengthen instruction.
• Growth and Development: Produce formal and informal testing to evaluate student success; oversee personal, medical care and feedings as stated in IEP; manage extracurricular duties; sponsor outside activities approved by charter principal; serve as a role model supporting the charter’s mission.
• Classroom Management: Prepare classrooms to enhance learning and support physical, social, and emotional development; control student behavior and implement discipline plans, including crisis handling and physical restraint per IEP; collaborate with teachers on behavior‑management programs; coordinate with charter and outside resources regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs; protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities; provide input on books, equipment, and material selection.
• Communication: Maintain rapport with parents, students, principals, and teachers through conferences; create and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, students, parents, and community members; present information accurately with clear communication skills.
• Other: Enrich job skills through professional development; stay current with federal, state, and charter policies for special education; gather, manage, and file all required reports and records; participate in faculty meetings and staff committees; maintain accurate Time & Effort records; perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises and oversees Teacher’s Aides, fulfilling supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Certification Requirement: Candidates not currently certified must apply and enroll in the Teach Us Certification Program (or an Uplift‑approved alternative) at the time of offer acceptance or immediately thereafter, completing enrollment within the designated onboarding timeline.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited college or university required; special education endorsement required or attainable. Master’s degree preferred but not required.
• Experience: Previous teaching experience is a plus.
• Special Skills/Certifications: Valid Texas Teacher Certification with special education endorsement or enrollment in an Uplift‑designated certification course.
• Required Skills/Abilities: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; Spanish speaking a plus; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and basic office equipment; ability to learn additional software as needed.

Safety Duties & Responsibilities

All employees must know safety rules and procedures, teach them to others, recognize unsafe actions and situations, warn others, react to emergencies, and report hazardous or unsafe practices to appropriate personnel.

Physical Demands

Employees must be able to maintain emotional control under stress and work occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Regularly required to sit, talk, listen, use hands, stand, walk, and use stairs. Occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Work Environment

The noise level ranges from low to high with frequent interruptions. Activity from other employees and students may be distracting.

Other Qualifications

• Satisfactory criminal records check (pre‑hire and annually, if applicable).
• Eligibility to work in the United States and ability to provide work authorization.

Compensation

• High Needs Subject Stipend: $4,500
• Starting Salary: $63,000