Special Education Teacher (Functional Skills)

Job Description

Job Description

The Opportunity:

Journey Community Schools (JCS) is a Tennessee non-profit corporation serving scholars in grades kindergarten through 8th grade at our Coleman School, East Academy, and Northeast Academy campuses. Our Mission is to engage families and community partners in our scholars' learning journey; cultivate a safe, positive and joyous learning environment; and empower teachers and leaders with support to deliver an inclusive, innovative and rigorous education. Visit Journey Community Schools for more information (

General Summary:

Behind every successful student is a team of passionate and dedicated educators. As a Special Education Functional Skills teacher at Journey Community Schools (JCS), you will provide specialized instruction and support to students with significant cognitive, developmental, adaptive, and/or physical needs. The teacher designs and delivers individualized, standards-aligned instruction focused on functional academics, life skills, communication, social-emotional development, vocational readiness, and independence. The role requires collaboration with staff, families, and service providers to ensure students access a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.

What You Will Do:

• Instruction & Curriculum

  • Develops, adapts, and implements Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) aligned to students’ academic, functional, behavioral, and transition goals

  • Delivers instruction in functional academics, daily living skills, communication, motor development, vocational skills, and social-emotional learning

  • Adapts classroom instruction and collaborates with general education teachers and Instructional Aids (IAs) to provide appropriate accommodations and modifications

  • Demonstrates and models instructional methods required to perform classroom and subject-specific assignments

  • Uses evidence-based instructional strategies, assistive technology, visual supports, and adaptive materials to meet diverse student needs

  • Establishes structured routines and predictable environments to promote independence, engagement, and safety

  • Serve as the Lead instructor in the Functional Skills classroom providing direct guidance and support to the Instructional Aid(s) in supporting students’ both academically and adaptively

• Assessment & Progress Monitoring

  • Administers developmental assessments, curriculum-based measures, and subject-specific assignments to assess student competency
  • Assesses student progress toward academic, behavioral, communication, motor, and vocational goals
  • Collects, analyzes, and uses data to adjust instruction and support student growth
  • Prepares progress reports and provides feedback to students, families, and administration

• Student Support & Care

  • Implements positive behavior supports and behavior intervention plans (BIPs); Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) supports where required to support students
  • Supports students with personal care needs (e.g., toileting, diapering, feeding, mobility) in accordance with training and policies
  • Administers first aid when a nurse is not available and responds to emergency situations as needed
  • Promotes student dignity, self-advocacy, independence, and confidence

• Collaboration & Communication

  • Advises and communicates with parents and/or legal guardians regarding student progress, expectations, and strategies for home support
  • Collaborates with instructional staff, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, and community resources
  • Counsels students and refers to related services as appropriate to support academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs
  • Participates in IEP meetings, referrals, data meetings, and other required meetings as needed

• Compliance & Documentation

  • Prepares and maintains required documentation including IEPs, progress monitoring data, behavior logs, attendance, grades, and anecdotal records
  • Maintains accurate and confidential special education files (paper and electronic) in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
  • Ensures compliance with IDEA, Tennessee Department of Education, Journey Community Schools, and Local Educational Agency (LEA)
    
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior in all interactions with students, teammates, and stakeholders
• Performs other duties as assigned

What You Will Bring:

• Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Strong problem-solving and consensus-building abilities

  • Knowledge of instructional strategies for students with significant disabilities

  • Ability to develop and implement IEPs and behavior support plans

  • Strong organizational, collaboration, and communication skills

  • Experience collaborating with paraprofessionals

  • CPI or similar crisis prevention/de-escalation training

  • Ability to collaborate with colleagues, parents and community

• Education Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field

  • Master’s degree preferred

• Licensure Requirements:

  • Valid teaching license and endorsement in Special Education (461 Special Education Comprehensive, K–12) with the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), or a valid Special Education teaching license and endorsement from a state that offers reciprocity with Tennessee.

• Experience Requirements:

  • 2+ years of teaching in a functional skills, life skills, or self-contained classroom

  • Experience collaborating with paraprofessionals

  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or similar crisis prevention/de-escalation training

Compensation

Journey Community Schools offers its employees a competitive salary and benefits, including paid time off, rich benefit plans, life insurance/short-term and long-term disability, participation in a TN state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

Journey Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. JCS promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.