Special Education RISE Teacher- IDEA McAllen Academy (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools • McAllen, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

IDEA Special Education RISE teachers support students with a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities, maintaining high achievement expectations and helping students reach their full potential. They teach subjects including reading, writing, math, history, and adaptive physical education, and provide families with resources, education, training, and emotional support to help them plan for their children’s futures. Teachers develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs), coordinate related services, assess and track student progress, communicate with families and school staff, and help students transition between grades and after graduation. The role also includes supporting classroom behavior, contributing to a positive school culture, participating in meetings and professional development, and overseeing the daily work of a Special Education Co-Teacher (para-professional).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year educational institution.
• Valid Texas state certification in Special Education.
• 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 variety of situations in the school environment.
• Ability to facilitate Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings.
• Strong family engagement and communication skills.
• A record of results for students who are academically at risk.
• At least 40 hours spent at school per week.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a Special Education classroom setting with students who have significant disabilities (strongly preferred).
• Appropriate grade- and subject-band core content certification(s) or a Texas Core Content Competency Worksheet.

Responsibilities

• Adapt lessons to meet students’ needs.
• Support coordination of related services for students on the teacher’s caseload.
• Develop, implement, and update IEPs for a caseload of students.
• Assess student performance, skills, needs, and progress; collect and analyze data to guide instruction.
• Track student progress and learning needs through formal and informal assessments, adjust lesson plans, and update the gradebook weekly.
• Discuss student progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
• Communicate student progress with students and families weekly.
• Prepare students to transition between grades and after graduation.
• Implement state learning standards, IDEA curricula, and assessments to meet academic expectations.
• Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback.
• Use technology as a communication and educational tool to improve achievement and manage work-related tasks.
• Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system aligned with campus-wide initiatives.
• Help develop a school-wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment.
• Build cooperative relationships with students and families based on trust, understanding, and respect.
• Host tutoring sessions as needed to meet students’ needs.
• Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before- and after-school duties, and school-wide meetings and functions.
• Participate in summer and year-long district, school, and personal learning and development.
• Oversee the daily work and responsibilities of a Special Education Co-Teacher (para-professional) in the RISE classroom.
• Provide families with resources, education, training, and emotional support.

Benefits

• Starting teacher salary of $57,500 for 0 years of experience.
• Stipends of $500–$4,000 based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership.
• Additional performance-based compensation.
• Additional hourly compensation for assigned after-school tutoring or Saturday school.
• Medical plan with the majority of the employee premium covered, and the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children subsidized.
• Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on tenure and caregiver designation.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to 50% of tuition for a qualifying degree program, capped at $5,250 per year, subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-paid mental and behavioral health benefits, including five face-to-face counseling sessions per year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services.
• Dental and vision plans.
• Disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Parenting benefits.
• Flexible spending account options.
• Generous vacation time.
• Referral bonuses.
• Professional development.
• 403(b) plan.
• Relocation allowance may be offered, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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