Teacher – Te Whare Ako (Specialist Needs Space)

Mana College; Wellington; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Mana College in Wellington is seeking a passionate Educator to join Te Whare Ako, our specialist needs learning space. This fixed-term parental leave position is for 2027, at 0.5 FTTE.

You will design learning pathways, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, support ākonga with high learning needs, and guide Teacher Aides while fostering culturally responsive environments.

Qualifications

• Current NZ Teaching Council Registration and Practising Certificate required.
• Experience in special education or with high/very high complex needs preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Tātaiako and Tapasā in supporting ākonga Māori and Pasifika learners.
• Strong communication, patience, resilience with whānau, staff and external agencies.
• NZ Driver's Licence; driving a school van is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum design and delivery: design and deliver differentiated learning programmes aligned with the NZ Curriculum.
• Collaborative planning: write CAPs and IEPs with ākonga, whānau and external specialists.
• Team guidance: guide and direct Teacher Aides supporting learning, independence, and care routines.
• Specialist learning and communication: utilise AAC tools, assistive technologies, and de-escalation strategies.
• Active support and EOTC: support ākonga during Physical Education and EOTC activities, including pool sessions.

Skills

Curriculum design

Differentiated instruction

Collaboration

Communication with whānau

Cultural responsiveness

Neurodiversity-affirming practices

De-escalation techniques

Education

NZ Teaching Council Registration

Special education experience

Tools

AAC tools

Assistive technologies

Job description

We are seeking a passionate, empathetic, and inclusive Educator to join our collaborative team in Te Whare Ako, our specialist needs learning space. This role covers a fixed-term parental leave position for the 2027 school year at 0.5 part-time (0.5 FTTE).

About the role

This specialist position focuses on empowering secondary ākonga with high and complex learning needs to ensure they are present, participating, and enjoying success across all school and community settings. Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will design and deliver tailored learning pathways, guide classroom support staff, and foster authentic, culturally responsive learning environments.

Key responsibilities

• Curriculum design and delivery: Design and deliver differentiated learning programmes aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum and the Expanded New Zealand Curriculum.
• Collaborative planning: Write and support Collaborative Action Plans (CAP) and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in authentic partnership with ākonga, whānau, and external specialists.
• Team guidance: Guide and direct Teacher Aides supporting the learning, independence, and care routines of ākonga.
• Specialist learning and communication: Utilise neurodiversity-affirming practices, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools, assistive technologies, and positive de-escalation strategies.
• Active support and EOTC: Support ākonga during Physical Education and EOTC activities, including active support within the pool during weekly swimming lessons.

Person specification and key criteria

• Qualifications: Current NZ Teaching Council Registration and Practising Certificate (Required).
• Experience: Proven experience in special education or working with secondary students with high/very high complex needs (Preferred).
• Cultural responsiveness: Practical dedication to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi grounded in Tātaiako and Tapasā to support ākonga Māori and Pasifika learners.
• Interpersonal skills: High emotional resilience, patience, adaptability, and exceptional communication skills with whānau, staff, and external agencies.
• Licence: Current NZ Driver's Licence (confidence driving a school van is an advantage).