Special Education Teacher (SY 26-27)

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.

Primary Purpose

Provide students with appropriate educational activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Help students develop the skills necessary to be a productive member of society.

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

• Work in conjunction with students, parents, and other staff to develop IEPs through the ARD Committee process for each assigned student.
• Design, write, and use instructional, therapeutic, or skill‑development programs for assigned students and ensure written plans are available for review.
• Ensure comprehension of learning styles and meet student needs through appropriate instructional strategies, activities, materials, and equipment.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers on student IEPs to ensure all modifications are met and assist special‑education students in regular classes when appropriate.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on an ongoing basis.
• Design instructional activities using data from student learning‑style assessments.
• Ensure IEP guidelines are met when presenting subject matter.
• Use a variety of media and techniques to meet the needs and capabilities of each assigned student.
• Produce and oversee teacher aide and volunteer assignments.
• Employ technology practices to strengthen the instructional process.
• Produce formal and informal testing to evaluate student success.
• Oversee or ensure personal care, medical care, and feedings of students as stated in IEPs.
• Manage extracurricular duties as assigned and sponsor outside activities approved by the charter principal.
• Serve as a role model for students and support the charter’s mission.
• Prepare classrooms to enhance learning and aid physical, social, and emotional development.
• Control student behavior and implement discipline plans, including crisis handling and physical restraint as required by IEPs.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers on behavior‑management programs and 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.
• Maintain effective communication with parents, students, principals, and teachers through conferences and professional relationships.
• Present information accurately with clear communication skills.
• Engage in professional development to enrich job skills.
• Stay current with federal, state, and charter policies for special‑education teachers.
• Gather, manage, and file all required reports, records, and documents.
• Participate actively in faculty meetings and staff committees as required.
• Maintain accurate Time & Effort records of program activities.
• Supervise Teacher Aides in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited college or university; special‑education endorsement required or attainable.
• Master’s degree preferred but not required.
• Valid Texas Teacher Certification with special‑education endorsement or enrollment in a Uplift‑designated certification course.
• Previous teaching experience is a plus.
• All K‑3 teachers, including special‑education teachers and principals, must attend the HB 3 Reading Academies by the end of the 2022‑2023 school year.
• Satisfactory criminal background check (pre‑hire and annually, if applicable) and eligibility to work in the United States.

Skills

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Spanish speaking ability is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and basic office equipment; ability to learn additional software as needed.

Certification Requirement

All instructional candidates who are not currently certified must apply for and enroll in the Teach Us Certification Program (or an Uplift‑approved alternative) at the time of offer acceptance or immediately thereafter. Enrollment must be completed within the designated onboarding timeline. Failure to apply, enroll