Elementary Special Education Teacher, Lower Academy (K-8)

RISE Prep Lower Academy; Woonsocket (RI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Vacation package

Job summary

RISE Prep Lower Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is seeking an Elementary Special Education Teacher for grades K-8. Responsibilities include delivering high-quality SPED services, drafting IEPs, and coordinating with teams to monitor progress and ensure compliance with Special Education law.

The role emphasizes strong collaboration with families, data-informed instruction, and continued professional growth within a rigorous charter school environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Current Special Education certification or enrollment coursework leading to certification.
• Enrollment/completion of Science of Reading training.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication in English.
• Tech proficiency for online platforms.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality Special Education services and case management for designated grades/content.
• Draft IEPs and monitor progress toward goals.
• Coordinate with coaches and teams to ensure compliance with Special Education laws.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Special Education certification

Science of Reading training

English communication

Technology proficiency

Job description

Elementary Special Education Teacher, Lower Academy (K-8)

RISE Prep Mayoral Academy (RI) RISE Prep Lower Academy - Woonsocket, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in RISE Prep Mayoral Academy (RI)

Job Details

Job ID: 5858124
Application Deadline: Sep 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Jul 27, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: Aug 10, 2026

Job Description

Be a Special Education Teacher at RISE Prep Academies. RISE Prep Academies knows that educator quality is the most important factor driving scholar achievement. We are seeking educators who believe strongly in our mission and whose actions demonstrate high expectations for themselves, scholars, families, and colleagues. We hire smart, driven people who are relentless in their work and have the characteristics and experiences necessary to deliver ambitious results for scholars. RISE Prep Academies prioritizes professional development and growth for each of its educators.

About RISE Prep Academies

RISE Prep Academies is a college preparatory K-12 public charter school network based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where college preparation begins in Kindergarten. Approved by the Rhode Island Board of Education in October 2014, we opened our doors to our founding class of kindergarteners in August 2015 and our founding High School class in August of 2024. Through a rigorous curriculum, highly structured learning environment, and character education, RISE Prep Academies ensures that all Kindergarten through 12th grade students achieve the academic skills, content knowledge, and character required for the path to college or career. RISE Prep Academies is committed to establishing intentionally diverse schools that enroll from both urban and suburban communities. We believe that part of our mission is to teach the importance and value of diversity within classrooms and communities. RISE Prep curriculum will include a community engagement component to ensure habits of service, helping, and kindness are fostered within our students to shape engaged and caring members of their communities.

RISE Prep Academies is built upon six critical elements:

• A rigorous college preparatory program focused on literacy and math
• A joyful culture with structure and discipline
• Recruiting and developing excellent teachers
• An extended school day for scholars
• Partnerships with families and communities
• Use of data to strategically propel scholar achievement

All educators at RISE Prep Academies will:

• Embody RISE Prep’s mission, vision, and RISE values (Respect, Integrity, Self-Determination, Excellence)
• Believe in the urgency and importance of providing an outstanding college preparatory academic and character education to all students
• Take ownership for the achievement results of their students
• Have a track record of producing dramatic, demonstrable student achievement gains or comparable results in their current field
• Work well within a team and approach all work with positivity and determination
• Be goal-driven, analytical problem solvers, and embody a can-do spirit and strong work ethic
• Promote continuous improvement by being, self-reflective and open to feedback
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written skills
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues

Responsibilities: The primary role of the Elementary Special Education Teacher is to provide high-quality Special Education services and case management to scholars indesignated grades (K-1, 2-3, etc.) and/or content (4-6 ELA, 4-8 Math)including direct academic scholar support, scheduling and facilitating team meetings, drafting IEPs, monitoring progress of goals, and ensuring compliance with all Special Education Law.

Specific roles and responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following,

• Implement RISE Prep Academies Academic Program to Ensure Strong Proficiency in Grade-Level Literacy and Math
  • Implement and adapt high-quality and standards-aligned curriculum and instructional materials grounded in the CCSS and RISE Prep’s scope and sequences and aligned to scholar’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • Uphold the belief that providing access to grade-level materials, supplemented with strategic just-in-time supports, such as scaffolds and targeted interventions, is the most effective way to meet the diverse needs of learners in the K-8 classroom
  • Differentiate classroom instruction to meet the needs of different learners, including providing relevant accommodations where appropriate and adapting curricular resources to meet the specific individual needs of scholars, including those with IEPs and 504 Accommodation Plans, and Multilingual Learners (MLLs)
• Foster a Joyful School Community and Structured Learning Environment
  • Establish a positive and supportive culture of learning and achievement, that cultivates scholar interest in content area, and reinforces the value and relevance of the learning done in class by connecting content to real-world applications and careers in the field wherever possible
  • Create and maintain clear expectations, routines, and procedures to effectively and proactively manage classroom/scholar behavior and efficiently use instructional time to maximize scholar learning
• Consistently implement school-wide systems and employ classroom systems aligned to the school’s and RISE Academies’ vision, including support a morning meeting/advisory structure aligned to Move this World across K-8
• Use Data to Inform Instruction, Support the Range of Learner Needs, and Achieve High Levels of Success in the RISE Prep Academies Classroom:
  • Engage in cycles of data collection, review, action planning and progress monitoring with coach, members of content/grade-level teams, and/or members of the school/RISE Prep Academies leadership to ensure scholar mastery of grade-level standards and expectations
  • Utilize formative and summative assessments of student mastery to drive instructional planning and provide feedback to scholars
• Demonstrate a Commitment to Continuous Improvement and Development as a Professional
  • Use feedback to make productive changes in performance and continuously improve effectiveness in all instructional practices and job-related administrative tasks
  • Collaborate with other staff members and actively participate in training, professional development and learning activities to increase impact as an educator
• Communicate and Collaborate with Critical Stakeholders and Colleagues to Ensure a Well-Rounded Scholar Experience
  • Communicate with families and teachers about scholar progress on a regular basis and as outlined in their IEP
  • Work collaboratively with grade/content team to align supports and ensure a positive scholar experience
  • Participate in additional activities including field trips, intensive academic support sessions, and other required programs and events as needed throughout year outside of the established school day

Qualifications:

• Required:
  • Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree
  • Current Special Education certification or enrollment coursework leading to Special Education certification, see https://ride.ri.gov/teachers-administrators/educator-certification/how-get-certified for more information
  • Enrollment or completion of required Science of Reading training in alignment with the Rhode Island Rights to Read Act; Awareness or Proficiency based on role
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication in English
  • Technological proficiency and comfort with using online platforms
• Preferred:
  • Experience and comfort with High-Quality Instructional Materials (e.g. K-8: Eureka/Eureka Math 2 , Wit & Wisdom, Amplify Science, etc.)
  • Familiarity with Teach Like a Champion, and other effective instructional practices for instructional delivery and classroom management
  • Prior teaching experience with measurable results
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills and personal organizational systems, particularly pertaining to time and task management
  • Certification or Endorsement in Special Education, Multilingual Learner, Literacy/Dyslexia, etc.
  • Fluency in a language other than English, particularly languages spoken by RISE Prep families (e.g. Spanish, Arabic, French, Wolof, etc.)

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, and comprehensive health benefits. Additionally, RISE Prep offers childcare reimbursement, MLL certification fellowship pathways, tuition reimbursement, investments in Special Education certification, in addition to a vacation package. Final salary will be determined by years of experience, education, and current certification.

For more information about our school or career opportunities at RISE Prep, visit our website: www.riseprepri.org

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories: Special Education > General Special Education, Special Education > Mild/Moderate Disabilities

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Colleen Colarusso , Superintendent
• Email: [e-mail]

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