Exceptional Student Education Teacher

Ilcs; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeastern University Pathways School of Excellence in Lakeland, FL seeks a dedicated teacher to provide care and well‑being for students, delivering instruction under supervision and modeling Christian leadership among peers and students. The role requires planning lessons, using UDL and DI frameworks, meeting individual student needs, and maintaining a conducive learning environment.

Collaboration with staff, parents, and volunteers is essential, with a 10‑month schedule and regular progress

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree and Florida ESE teaching certification.
• Master's in special education is a plus.
• Strong classroom management and teaching strategies are essential.

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements instruction adhering to Pathways School of Excellence philosophy, goals, and objectives.
• Uses UDL and DI frameworks in lesson planning.
• Maintains effective classroom environment and engages students with diverse learning needs.
• Provides progress reports and communicates with parents and administrators.
• Collaborates with teaching assistants, tutors, and volunteers as needed.
• Keeps current in subject matter knowledge and shares it with colleagues.

Skills

Behavioral strategies

Classroom management

Teaching strategies

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Florida Teaching Certificate in ESE

Master’s in special education (preferred)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

This position exists to perform specialized work in assisting with services for Pathways School of Excellence, providing for the care and well-being of students. Duties are performed under the general supervision of administrators. Performance is evaluated through observation of work, and/or periodic conferences, critiques, records, and reports. The teacher must maintain a close, personal walk with Jesus Christ as evidenced by his/her example and spiritual leadership among peers and with students.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Pathways Administration

Supervisory Responsibility: Principal and Assistant Principal

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: Pathways Administration

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Instructional Process Plans and implements a program of instruction that adheres to Pathways School of Excellence's philosophy, goals, and objectives.
• Utilizes the foundations of UDL and the conceptual framework of DI.
• Makes purposeful and appropriate lesson plans that provide for effective teaching strategies and maximize time on task.
• Plans and implements a program of study designed to meet the individual needs of students.
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate teaching strategies.
• Encourages student enthusiasm for the learning process and the development of good study habits.
• Provides progress and interim reports as required.
• Prepares substitute folder containing appropriate information as requested by the building principal.
• Plans and prescribes purposeful assignments for professional teaching assistants, tutors, and volunteers as needed.
• Recognizes learning problems and makes referrals as appropriate.
• Demonstrates a strong grasp of the subject matter.
• Uses effective oral and written expression.
• Curriculum Development Keeps current in subject matter knowledge and learning theory and is willing to share this knowledge to continually improve the school’s curriculum.
• Assists in the ongoing curriculum revision process, including the revision of written courses of study.
• Assists in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Become acquainted with supplemental services beneficial to students as an extension of regular classroom activities.
• Classroom Management Develops, in accordance with Pathways School of Excellence guidelines, reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate discipline techniques that are consistently applied.
• Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Share responsibility during the school day for supervision of students in all areas of the school.
• Public Relations Upholds and enforces Pathways School of Excellence policy, administrative procedures, and school rules and regulations; and is supportive of them to the public.
• Maintains appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance and appropriate use of conference and planning time.
• Strives to communicate the positive aspects of our school program to the public in word and deed.
• Works cooperatively with parents to strengthen the educational program for their children.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with other staff.
• Professional Growth Continues professional growth through attendance at workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced coursework at institutions of higher learning.
• Maintains membership in at least one professional organization.
• Cooperates with the administration in planning appropriate in-service training programs on a building or district level.
• Attends staff, department, and committee meetings as required.
• Student Evaluation Evaluates the accomplishments of students on a regular basis using multiple assessment methods such as teacher‑made tests, samples of students’ work, mastery skills checklists, criterion‑referenced tests, and norm‑referenced tests.
• Make appropriate adjustments in the instructional program based on assessed results.
• Performs duties necessary to maintain the accountability required for the instructional program and as required by the Director.
• Respects the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

All remaining duties are considered “nonessential” within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

Lakeland Main Campus

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Required Education: Must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Must be Certified, and rated as Qualified or Highly Qualified as defined by the Course Code(s) assigned by the Florida Department of Education.
• Preferred Education: Master’s in special education, education or other related degree is highly desirable.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Required: Florida Teaching Certificate in ESE

EXPERIENCE

• Required: One year of teaching experience.
• Preferred: Three or more years of experience in K-12 special education is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required

• Behavioral strategies
• Classroom management
• Teaching strategies

Preferred

• Ability to work cooperatively with parents, school districts, and agencies in providing services to students.
• Ability to develop concepts and ideas and relate both in oral and written form.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Ability to administer testing instruments as required.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with students, teams, and groups.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the position.
• Bilingual/bi-literate/ASL preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment, including sexual harassment.

This position is considered non-essential for the purposes of Emergency Response. However, in the event of an emergency while on campus, this position is required to remain and ensure the safety of all students in their care until released by administration.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical Requirements:
• Office Environment: Ability to work primarily in an office setting, which involves sitting for extended periods.
• Computer Use: Proficiency in using computers for various tasks, which requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for typing and handling office equipment.
• Communication: Strong verbal communication skills for meetings, presentations, and interactions with staff, students, and parents.
• Mobility: Capability to move around the office and campus as needed for meetings and events.
• Lifting: Occasionally lift and carry items such as files, documents, or small office equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Visual Requirements: Ability to read and interpret data on computer screens and printed documents.
• Hearing and Speaking: Adequate hearing to participate in conversations and phone calls, and clear speaking ability for effective communication.
• Requires sitting and some standing, walking, and moving about to coordinate work. Requires face‑to‑face discussions and contact with individuals and/or teams. Requires the use of alternative communication systems, such as electronic mail, telephones, and computers. Requires coordination of work tasks to establish priorities, set goals, and meet deadlines. Requires work with students, internal and external contacts, and with the public.

Travel

No

Schedule

8 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Friday

10-month position with the academic year being August to May, teaching summer school is optional

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

N/A

SAFETY

SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near‑miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Work‑related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations. Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.

SCREENING

All full‑time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in the performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

In accordance with House Bill 531 (2025), SEU Pathways uses the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website for a Level 2 background screening prior to employment: https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at‑will employer. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit‑based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.All employees of Southeast University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in theEmployee Handbook and in theSEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.