Elementary Teacher at a School for Special Needs

Blue Jay Academy; DeLand (FL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Jay Academy in Daytona Beach, FL is seeking a Lead Teacher in Special Education & Student Support to empower students with diverse needs. The role focuses on instruction, classroom leadership, and individualized student support.

You will design lessons, monitor progress, and collaborate with therapists and staff to promote independence, social skills, and emotional growth. This full-time, on-site position emphasizes safety, planning, and student-centered collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, ESE, Special Education, Child Development, or related field.
• Three or more years of experience in public or private schools.
• Experience supporting students with diverse learning, developmental, or behavioral needs is valued.
• Successful completion of all required background screenings and fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards and individual student needs.
• Deliver differentiated instruction using appropriate accommodations and teaching strategies.
• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction to support achievement.
• Create an organized, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Help students strengthen independence, communication, and social skills.
• Establish clear classroom expectations, routines, and structure.
• Implement positive behavioral interventions and classroom management strategies.
• Promote emotional regulation and positive peer interactions through modeling.
• Maintain active supervision, safety procedures and student plans.
• Communicate with families and collaborate with therapists and staff.

Skills

Classroom management

Strong communication

Collaboration

Adaptability

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education / ESE / Special Education

Three+ years of experience in schools

Experience with diverse learning needs

Job description

Who Are We?

Blue Jay Academy is a private school for children with special needs and disabilities from grades K through 12. Serving Volusia County special needs students, Blue Jay Academy is a progressive school for children who struggle with any type of disability or special need. We work with children that have various special needs, including ADHD, Autism and Processing Deficits.

At Blue Jay Academy we provide a high-quality, friendly and caring environment with therapy in order to increase the academic and behavioral abilities of our students. Our dedicated, child centered program is the most important factor in providing the best services and education to our students.

Lead Teacher | Special Education & Student Support

Blue Jay Academy - Daytona
630 N. Wild Olive Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Pay: $16.00–$18.00 per hour
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Principal

Help Every Student Learn, Grow, and Succeed

At Blue Jay Academy, we believe every student deserves an opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel safe, supported, valued, and capable.

We serve students with diverse learning, developmental, behavioral, and physical needs. Our approach recognizes that every student learns differently, and meaningful progress requires patience, individualized instruction, positive relationships, and strong collaboration.

We are seeking a dedicated Lead Teacher who is passionate about student development, confident in classroom leadership, and committed to helping students achieve their academic, social, behavioral, and emotional goals.

If you enjoy creating engaging learning experiences, adapting instruction to individual student needs, and making a meaningful difference, we would love to meet you.

What You’ll Do

Instruction & Student Development

• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards and individual student needs.

• Deliver differentiated instruction using appropriate accommodations, modifications, and teaching strategies.

• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction to support individual achievement.

• Create an organized, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.

• Help students strengthen independence, communication, and social skills.

Classroom Leadership & Behavior Support

• Establish clear classroom expectations, positive routines, and consistent structure.

• Implement positive behavioral interventions and classroom management strategies.

• Promote emotional regulation, positive peer interactions, and appropriate behavior through reinforcement and modeling.

• Respond professionally and appropriately to individual student needs.

Student Safety & Individualized Support

• Maintain active supervision throughout the school day, including classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, restrooms, arrival, dismissal, and school activities.

• Follow established safety procedures, emergency protocols, and child protection requirements.

• Implement individualized student plans, accommodations, and behavior support strategies.

• Assist students with daily living activities when needed, including hygiene, toileting, feeding, mobility, and personal care, while maintaining dignity and privacy.

• Communicate and report safety concerns promptly.

Communication & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate student records, attendance, progress reports, and required documentation.

• Communicate professionally with families regarding student progress and classroom activities.

• Collaborate with school leadership, therapists, paraprofessionals, teachers, and other support professionals.

• Participate in parent conferences, staff meetings, professional development, and required training.

• Maintain student confidentiality and follow school policies and professional standards.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Exceptional Student Education (ESE), Special Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.

• Three or more years of experience in public or private schools, OR specialized skills, knowledge, or expertise qualifying you to provide instruction in the subjects taught.

• Experience supporting students with diverse learning, developmental, or behavioral needs is strongly valued.

• Successful completion of all required background screenings and fingerprinting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong classroom management and positive behavior support skills.

• Ability to adapt instruction to individual student learning needs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional judgment.

• Flexibility to respond to changing student and classroom needs.

Physical & Classroom Expectations

This is an active, hands-on teaching position.

Responsibilities may include standing, walking, bending, kneeling, assisting students with mobility and personal care, and responding to student behavioral or safety needs.

The position may involve lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join Blue Jay Academy?

At Blue Jay Academy, teaching is about more than delivering lessons. It is about building relationships, creating consistency, encouraging independence, and helping students make meaningful progress.

You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with educators, therapists, and school leadership in an environment focused on meeting students’ individual needs.

We value educators who bring patience, professionalism, creativity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to student success.

Blue Jay Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable law.