Elementary - Exceptional Education Teacher

LEAD Public Schools; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based pay plan

Health benefits

Pension (TCRS)

Job summary

LEAD Public Schools is seeking an Elementary Special Education Teacher (Exceptional Education) to design and deliver targeted instruction for students with IEPs. You will use data to inform instruction, collaborate with teammates, and align with district and state requirements.

The role emphasizes joyful, inclusive teaching, equitable access to grade-level content, and a commitment to the Whole Child approach. Collaboration with families and staff is essential to student success.

Qualifications

• Experience with IEPs and specialized instruction.
• Ability to analyze assessments to inform instruction.
• Commitment to joyful, inclusive, equitable classrooms.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver curriculum-aligned lessons for students with IEPs.
• Use evidence-based strategies to build literacy and math skills.
• Promote Whole Child approach addressing academic, social, and emotional growth.
• Collaborate with staff to develop and monitor IEPs and interventions.
• Lead inclusive activities and uphold high expectations for all students.

Skills

IEP knowledge

Data-driven instruction

Collaboration

Classroom management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tennessee teaching license (SPED)

Job description

Job Title: Elementary Special Education Teacher (Exceptional Education)

Reports To: Principal

Be a LEADer: Teach at LEAD Public Schools

At LEAD Public Schools, we believe in the transformative power of education. As an Elementary Special Education Teacher, you will play a crucial role in empowering students to achieve academic success and personal growth. You will embody our core tenets of joy, inclusion, excellence, and a whole child approach to teaching and learning, demonstrating that all children can learn and thrive in an environment designed for their success.

The LEAD Environment

Our elementary schools are dynamic learning communities where joy, excellence, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We celebrate diversity and foster meaningful connections with students and families. LEAD teachers are data-driven professionals committed to high standards of academic excellence while supporting the socio-emotional needs of every student.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking passionate educators who:

• Believes that all children learn with the right support and opportunities.
• Embraces a data-driven approach, using assessments and analytics to inform instruction and improve outcomes.
• Thrives in a collaborative and inclusive environment that prioritizes joy, excellence, and inclusion.
• Is committed to fostering equity and respect in a culturally diverse classroom.
• Demonstrates expertise in specialized instruction. Develops and delivers targeted interventions in alignment with students' IEPs, adapting curriculum and teaching strategies to ensure access to grade-level curriculum.
• Conducts IEP meetings and communicates with all stakeholders.

Position Responsibilities

Instructional Excellence

• Design and deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned lessons tailored to meet the diverse needs of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Use evidence-based teaching strategies to develop foundational skills in literacy, math, and other core subjects.
• Integrate the Whole Child Approach to address students' academic, emotional, and social growth.
• Foster independence and critical thinking through functional and daily living skills instruction, as appropriate.
• Advocate for inclusive opportunities for students to interact with general education peers.

Data-Driven Practices

• Develop and monitor IEPs in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and district guidelines.
• Being adaptable to various teaching models, including push-in, pull-out, team-teaching approaches, and the least restrictive environment (LRE) model to support student success.
• Use formative and summative assessments to track progress and adjust instruction.
• Analyze data to identify student needs, develop targeted interventions, and set improvement goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to share strategies and ensure consistency in data-driven practices.

Joy and Inclusion

• Create a classroom environment reflecting the school’s commitment to joy and inclusion.
• Celebrate and integrate the diverse backgrounds of students into the classroom experience.
• Build meaningful relationships with students, families, and surrounding communities to foster a sense of belonging.

Professional Growth

• Uphold the school’s mission, vision, and values in all aspects of your work.
• Participate actively in professional development opportunities to enhance your instructional skills.
• Work collaboratively with the school team to support the success of all students and the broader school community.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Collaborate with Special Education staff to develop effective and individualized IEPs.
• Work closely with colleagues to plan and share best instructional practices, coordinate efforts, and support the overall success of students.
• Contribute positively to a team-oriented school culture, embracing shared accountability for student outcomes.
• Supervise and provide guidance to education assistants to enhance classroom support.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of two years teaching experience preferred but not required.
• Prior experience with diverse student populations or in an urban setting is preferred.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Must hold:
  • (a) A valid Tennessee teaching license with the appropriate endorsement to teach SPED, OR
  • (b) A valid out-of-state license transferable to Tennessee within 90 days of employment, OR
  • (c) Proof of progress toward Tennessee certification.

Physical Demands:

• Light to medium physical work involving standing, walking, lifting, pushing, and carrying (exerting up to 20 pounds).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• LEAD Public Schools offers an innovative performance-based compensation plan for teachers. This plan allows us to transparently reward our teachers not by how many years they have worked but rather by their positive impact on students and schools, evidenced by their consistent performance in and out of the classroom. Teachers receive a competitive base salary with the potential for a signing bonus and can earn up to 10% on their base salary each year through our performance-based compensation plan. This plan has been in place for 5 years, and we have seen an average annual increase of over 5% for our teachers with approximately 80% retention for those who qualify. Additionally, teachers are eligible for LEAD’s Master Teacher program after 3 years. In this program, teachers can earn up to $100,000 and receive a $1,500 professional development stipend.
• Robust and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, supplemental insurance, life insurance policy options, and mental health benefits. Application for these benefits may be made immediately upon employment. The policy is effective upon the first of the month following the first day of work.
• Certificated staff have access to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System pension plan (TCRS). Eligible staff contribute 5%, and LEAD matches up to 6%. Staff may also be eligible for 401k, in which LEAD will contribute 5%. Participation in TCRS is mandated by the state of TN.
• Non-TCRS eligible staff members are eligible to participate in LEAD’s defined contribution 403b plan. LEAD matches 50% of the first 6% of employee contributions. Additional annual contributions are provided to eligible employees after one year based on LEAD’s overall budget performance. Participation in this plan is voluntary.
• The time off package for school-year employees (teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals) includes 30 paid days during the school year (including holidays, fall break, thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break). School-year employees also receive summer break. In addition to breaks and holidays, school-year employees can accrue up to 10 PTO days during the school year.
• The time off package for calendar-year employees (Central office, Instructional Managers, Assistant Principals) includes 32 paid days during the school year (including holidays, fall break, thanksgiving break, winter break, spring break). In addition to breaks and holidays, school-year employees can accrue up to 12 PTO days during the school year.
• Parental leave - 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 6 weeks of paid parental leave (adoption, foster care).
• Teachers are provided with laptop computers with access to the internet and or email to assist them in performing their job responsibilities.