Special Education Teacher - IDEA Robindale Academy (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools•Brownsville, TX

About The Position

IDEA Special Education teachers support the achievement of students with special education needs by developing individualized plans and working with students who have a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities. They provide in-class support in subjects such as reading, writing, and math for students with specified service-minute support, and teach content mastery to students with outlined accommodations and service-minute support. The teacher also serves as a bridge between home and school for students with significant needs and their families. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and valid Texas state certification in Special Education. Experience in a Special Education classroom is strongly preferred. Teachers work at least 40 hours per week at school and may be assigned after-school tutoring or Saturday school, with additional hourly compensation for those assignments. The position includes supervising the daily work of a Special Education Co-Teacher (para-professional) in the RISE classroom, if applicable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year educational institution.
Valid Texas state certification in Special Education.
Knowledge of the assigned core academic subject, curriculum, and instruction.
Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior.
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to adjust and adapt to different situations in the school environment.
Ability to facilitate Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings.
Strong family engagement and communication skills.
Record of results for students who are academically at risk.
Commitment to IDEA’s mission and belief that all students are capable of getting to and through college.
Demonstrated effective outcomes and results, with willingness to be held accountable.
Action-oriented approach, urgency, and willingness to learn from mistakes and improve quickly.
Ability to thrive in a high-growth environment and adapt to ambiguity and change.
Willingness to seek and respond well to feedback and build cross-departmental relationships.
Professional conduct and behavior that models high standards for colleagues and students.
Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a Special Education classroom setting.

Responsibilities

Adapt lessons to meet students’ needs.
Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for a caseload of students.
Implement IEPs, assess student performance, and track progress; update IEPs during the school year to reflect progress and goals.
Assess students’ skills and needs and develop teaching plans.
Teach small groups of students academically at risk in reading and/or math, including general education, 504, response-to-intervention, Special Education, and English Learner students.
Collect and analyze student data to make effective decisions that maximize achievement.
Discuss student progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
Prepare students to transition from grade to grade and after graduation.
Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments to meet academic expectations.
Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback.
Use formal and informal assessments to monitor individual progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans, and update the gradebook weekly.
Communicate students’ progress to students and families weekly.
Use technology for communication, education, student achievement, and work-related tasks.
Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system aligned with campus-wide initiatives, while developing students’ character and sense of community.
Help develop a school-wide culture that supports a productive and enthusiastic learning environment.
Build cooperative, trust-based relationships with students and families, respecting their communities.
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, 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, if applicable.
May perform after-school tutoring or Saturday school based on scholar needs.

Benefits

Base medical plan with the majority of the employee premium covered; the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children are subsidized.
Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child, depending on tenure and caregiver designation.
Tuition reimbursement of up to 50% of tuition for a qualifying degree program, capped at $5,250 per year and subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
Employer-paid mental and behavioral health services, including five face-to-face counseling sessions per year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services.
Dental and vision plans.
Disability and life insurance.
Parenting benefits.
Flexible spending account options.
Generous vacation time.
Referral bonuses.
Professional development.
403(b) plan.
Possible relocation allowance, if applicable.
Additional hourly compensation for assigned after-school tutoring or Saturday school.