Special Education Teacher

Starting Salary

$65,000 - $72,000/year based on experience

Environment

Alternative Education Program, High School

Responsibilities

• Create an inclusive, collaborative environment that actively involves students, parents, colleagues, and administrators in the educational process.
• Establish a classroom climate built on mutual respect, fairness, and clear expectations, emphasizing social development, personal accountability, and positive group interactions by modeling Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Implement and consistently reinforce school-wide and classroom-specific PBIS strategies, behavior expectations, reward systems, and appropriate consequences.
• Track and document student progress, maintain accurate student files, and generate comprehensive reports detailing student achievements and activities.
• Deliver differentiated and targeted instruction individually or collaboratively in a co-teaching environment to effectively meet IEP-specified educational goals.
• Adapt and modify curricular content and instructional approaches to accommodate the diverse learning styles and capabilities of students, providing guidance to instructional staff on differentiation methods.
• Utilize varied and engaging instructional methods, resources, and educational software to effectively respond to and support diverse student needs and interests.
• Manage student caseload responsibilities, including developing, updating, and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs), goals, and interventions.
• Prepare detailed daily lesson plans and organize instructional materials that align with curriculum standards and individual student objectives.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and welcoming classroom environment, manage supplies, furniture, and resources effectively according to established procedures.
• Stay informed on current research-based instructional practices, trends, and developments in special education and subject-specific areas to continually enhance teaching effectiveness.
• Respond openly and constructively to feedback from formal evaluations and informal observations, actively pursuing ongoing professional growth.
• Support the school community by performing additional duties as assigned, contributing positively to the overall success of the educational program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in education, special education or a closely related field of study.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a valid NJ state teaching credential.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a NJ state special education instruction credential.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
• Prior experience working with curriculum development, differentiation and instruction; preferably in an alternative, special education and/or behavioral health program setting.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in special education services and compliance, particularly for students with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance and/or challenging behaviors.
• Prior experience and highly knowledgeable in working with students with individualized education plans (IEP's).
• Proven success in developing and implementing effective education plans for at-risk students with diverse needs.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision-making ability.
• Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in an emergency and make independent decisions.
• Knowledge of relevant technology including experience with instructional technology, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.