Special Education Teacher - IDEA Converse Academy (26-27)

IDEA Special Education teachers are responsible for the achievement and support of special education. Special Education teachers develop individualized plans and work with students who have a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities. They provide in-class support for various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with outlined service minutes support. They also teach content mastery for students with outlined accommodations and service minutes support. The IDEA Special Education teacher provides the crucial bridge between home and school for our highest need students and their families.

What We Offer

Compensation

• Starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience: $59,500
• Eligible for stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each
• Additional performance-based compensation
• Additional hourly compensation for after-school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned

Service Record Requirement: To ensure compliance with Texas Education Code 21.4031 and accurately verify creditable service, candidates selected for this position must submit official electronic service records from previous educational employers. Service records will be used to validate professional experience and determine creditable years of service and compensation, as applicable.

Other Benefits

• 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
• Relocation allowance (if applicable)

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
• Experience: Experience in a Special Education classroom setting (strongly preferred)
• Licenses or Certifications: Valid Texas state certification in Special Education (required)

Skills

• Knowledge of core academic subject assigned
• 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 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
• Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for a caseload of students
• Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress
• Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
• Assess students’ skills to determine their needs and develop teaching plans
• Teach small groups consisting of students that are academically at risk in reading and/or math (including students in general education, 504, response-to-intervention, Special Education, and English Language Learners)
• Collect and analyze student data to make effective decisions to maximize achievement
• Discuss student’s progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators
• Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and after graduation
• Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments
• Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback
• Implement formal and informal assessments to track student progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly, and update gradebook weekly
• Communicate students’ progress with students and families on a weekly basis
• Effective facilitation and personal use of technology as a communication and educational tool to improve student achievement and manage work-related tasks
• Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system aligned to campus-wide initiatives while developing students’ character and sense of community
• Help shape and develop a school-wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students and families based on trust, understanding, and respect
• Host necessary tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs
• Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before and after-school duties, and school-wide meetings and functions
• Engage in summer and year-long district, school, and personal learning and development
• Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week
• Additional responsibilities may include after-school tutoring or Saturday school based on the needs of scholars

Supervisory Responsibilities: 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 each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools. IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, and Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college. When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.