Elementary - Exceptional Education Teacher

LEAD Public Schools • Nashville, TN

6h • $55,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

At LEAD Public Schools, we believe in the transformative power of education. As an Elementary Special Education Teacher, you will play a crucial role in empowering students to achieve academic success and personal growth. You will embody our core tenets of joy, inclusion, excellence, and a whole child approach to teaching and learning, demonstrating that all children can learn and thrive in an environment designed for their success. Our elementary schools are dynamic learning communities where joy, excellence, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We celebrate diversity and foster meaningful connections with students and families. LEAD teachers are data-driven professionals committed to high standards of academic excellence while supporting the socio-emotional needs of every student.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Must hold: (a) A valid Tennessee teaching license with the appropriate endorsement to teach SPED, OR (b) A valid out-of-state license transferable to Tennessee within 90 days of employment, OR (c) Proof of progress toward Tennessee certification.
• Believes that all children learn with the right support and opportunities.
• Embraces a data-driven approach, using assessments and analytics to inform instruction and improve outcomes.
• Thrives in a collaborative and inclusive environment that prioritizes joy, excellence, and inclusion.
• Is committed to fostering equity and respect in a culturally diverse classroom.
• Demonstrates expertise in specialized instruction. Develops and delivers targeted interventions in alignment with students' IEPs, adapting curriculum and teaching strategies to ensure access to grade-level curriculum.
• Conducts IEP meetings and communicates with all stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of two years teaching experience preferred but not required.
• Prior experience with diverse student populations or in an urban setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned lessons tailored to meet the diverse needs of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Use evidence-based teaching strategies to develop foundational skills in literacy, math, and other core subjects.
• Integrate the Whole Child Approach to address students' academic, emotional, and social growth.
• Foster independence and critical thinking through functional and daily living skills instruction, as appropriate.
• Advocate for inclusive opportunities for students to interact with general education peers.
• Develop and monitor IEPs in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and district guidelines.
• Being adaptable to various teaching models, including push-in, pull-out, team-teaching approaches, and the least restrictive environment (LRE) model to support student success.
• Use formative and summative assessments to track progress and adjust instruction.
• Analyze data to identify student needs, develop targeted interventions, and set improvement goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to share strategies and ensure consistency in data-driven practices.
• Create a classroom environment reflecting the school’s commitment to joy and inclusion.
• Celebrate and integrate the diverse backgrounds of students into the classroom experience.
• Build meaningful relationships with students, families, and surrounding communities to foster a sense of belonging.
• Uphold the school’s mission, vision, and values in all aspects of your work.
• Participate actively in professional development opportunities to enhance your instructional skills.
• Work collaboratively with the school team to support the success of all students and the broader school community.
• Collaborate with Special Education staff to develop effective and individualized IEPs.
• Work closely with colleagues to plan and share best instructional practices, coordinate efforts, and support the overall success of students.
• Contribute positively to a team-oriented school culture, embracing shared accountability for student outcomes.
• Supervise and provide guidance to education assistants to enhance classroom support.

Benefits

• Innovative performance-based compensation plan
• Competitive base salary
• Potential for a signing bonus
• Potential to earn up to 10% on base salary annually through performance-based compensation
• LEAD’s Master Teacher program after 3 years (earning up to $100,000 and receiving a $1,500 professional development stipend)
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• Supplemental insurance
• Life insurance policy options
• Mental health benefits
• Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) pension plan (LEAD matches up to 6% of employee contribution)
• 401k (LEAD will contribute 5%)
• Defined contribution 403b plan (LEAD matches 50% of the first 6% of employee contributions)
• Additional annual contributions to 403b based on LEAD’s overall budget performance
• 30 paid days off during the school year (including holidays, fall break, Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break)
• Summer break
• Up to 10 PTO days during the school year
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave (adoption, foster care)
• Laptop computers with internet and email access

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level