Teacher - Special Education

About the Role

Southwood Psychiatric Hospital provides comprehensive mental health treatment programs for children and adolescents ages 3‑21 whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness. Located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the facility offers multiple levels of care to help young patients begin healing from their mental health challenges. The K‑12 Special Education teacher will float between residential programs at the USC and Canonsburg locations, delivering instruction and support to students.

Purpose: Teach students basic academic, social, and other formative skills through instruction in one or more subjects, and promote physical, mental, and social development.

Responsibilities

• Identify the educational needs of students and develop formal educational plans or programs to meet those needs.
• Create lesson plans to teach subject(s) and instruct students on study and communication skills.
• Observe students to evaluate their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, and work with them to improve.
• Teach and mentor students in a class setting, small groups, or one‑on‑one.
• Communicate with family members, counselors, administrators, and other teachers regarding student progress.
• Work individually with students to overcome specific learning challenges and prepare them for standardized tests as required by the state.
• Document educational plans, goals, and progress as required by the facility and state regulations.
• Supervise the classroom and maintain a positive learning environment.
• Develop and enforce classroom rules and administrative policies.
• Supervise students outside of the classroom (e.g., lunch, detention).
• Adhere to treatment plans and participate in treatment team meetings as requested.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers; acknowledge and resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
• Recognize patient safety as a top priority.
• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field eligible for teacher certification or licensure in the state where the facility is located (required).
• One or more years of experience working with the facility’s population (preferred).
• Knowledge of developmental stages and behaviors for the age group of students.

Qualifications

• Current certification or license to teach within the state where the facility is located.
• CPR and de‑escalation/restraint certification (training available upon hire and offered by the facility).
• First aid certification may be required based on state or facility requirements.