Elementary Special Education Teacher

Elementary Special Education Teacher

Working from one of our Family Service Centers in Pennsylvania, the position of Special Education Teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is responsible for providing, managing, and delivering special designed instructional programs through a virtual platform for learners. The Special Education Teacher utilizes the proprietary relationship management system in conjunction with other technology resources to provide instruction, feedback, and support while consulting regularly with learners, caretakers, learning coaches, and others to ensure that each learner successfully receives all supports and services in their Individual Education Program (IEP). They will work closely with other teachers and school staff to ensure that the school's special education program is successful and operates in compliance with federal and state regulations. CCA Teachers are driven by and held accountable to a model of excellence. CCA's desire is to be both a school and employer of choice by disrupting the traditional paradigm of delivering instruction and providing a focused, specialized, and individualized approach for all learners while rewarding teachers through collaborative practices and high achievement. This position is the heart and soul of CCA and, as such, individuals tasked with this responsibility must be aligned with the mission, vision, and values of CCA. In order to be successful as a teacher at CCA, the Teacher must carry out all responsibilities in such a way that demonstrates and models a commitment to these overarching goals, abides by all standards and expectations, and behaves in a professional and engaged manner at all times.

Essential Functions

• Serve as school-based special education case manager for designated caseload to ensure compliance with federal and state timelines.
• Provide direct services and instruction to learners in areas of need as defined by the IEP.
• Gather data, develop specially designed instruction, write goals, and guide the full implementation of IEPs.
• Maintain routines for scheduling progress monitoring sessions with learners and tracking learner data for communicating measurable growth toward goal attainment to families.
• Schedule, organize, and conduct IEP-related meetings in a virtual environment.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date data in the school's learning management system and special education software.
• Ensure the organization and proper implementation of all paperwork, documentation, and procedures for the IEP process in compliance with all regulations.
• Communicate continuously with caretakers/learning coaches of learners to ensure that all services in the IEP are being delivered
• Collaborate with related service providers on a weekly basis for learners needing related services as mandated by their IEPs.
• Commit to fully understanding learners' interests, unique disability profiles, and prior educational experiences, to build relationships & promote consistent engagement in school routines.
• Drive learner achievement and set high expectations for all learners.
• Collaborate with teachers and coordinate the implementation of specially designed instruction as defined in the IEP regarding learners with specific needs and potential learning challenges.
• Address any barriers to the education process and ensure that each learner's needs are addressed in a timely and appropriate fashion.
• Respond to learners, parents, and colleagues in a timely manner and within CCA responsiveness standards.
• Participate in the administration of state assessments, including traveling to testing sites approximately two times per school year.
• Travel for occasional professional development and/or school functions.
• Participate in the integration of in-person and virtual field trips into the curriculum.
• Actively engage in professional learning relative to growth and mastery in instructional and educational initiatives.
• Ability to work independently, typically 40+ hours per week is required.
• Ability to maintain a professional work setting without distraction during workday, typically 8-4 or as defined by the school.
• Ability to travel to in-person IEP meetings as requested by families.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Certified to teach in Pennsylvania with Special Education Certification
• Pedagogical knowledge of content being taught and ability to apply critical thinking
• Knowledge of state content standards and ability to align those with the K-12 curriculum
• Ability to galvanize and embrace change, innovating and adapting to ensure excellent student outcomes
• Ability to demonstrate sound decision-making and professional judgement skills, to solve problems independently, and demonstrate a high level of organization
• Ability to maintain teacher certification/professional development hours
• Demonstrated proficiency with office technology (especially with Microsoft OS and MS Office programs)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Customer focused approach with a high degree of flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment
• Demonstrated track record of collaboration, collegiality, and being a team player while always demonstrating the highest level of professionalism
• Work from a CCA Family Service Center on a regular full-time or scheduled basis
• Ability to travel on occasion and as assigned for marketing, field trips, and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
• Ability to work some occasional evening or weekend hours as needed to support some families

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

This is largely a sedentary role. Requires the ability to lift, squat, sit, bend, or stand, as necessary. Ability to travel to other sites/locations as needed.

Position Type

• 10-month
• Full-time
• Exempt
• Salary

Travel

• Travel is expected for this position.

Required Education and Experience

• Degree in Special Education or related education Field
• Valid Special Education Credential Grades K-12 in Pennsylvania

Preferred Education and Experience

• Dual Certification in Special Education and at least one additional content area
• 1-3 years of experience teaching in an online (virtual) and/or in a brick-and-mortar environment
• Experience teaching special education learners in grades 9-12
• Experience in transition or work based learning experiences
• Experience teaching high school content in either English, Pre-Algebra or Algebra
• Experience working in a virtual environment
• Experience with Zoom, iReady and other online platforms

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Valid PA Driver's License
• Appropriate Automobile Insurance Coverage
• Must be able to commute to a Family Service Center regardless of commute complexity.
• Candidates must reside within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Commonwealth Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.