Life Skills Special Education Teacher

University of Texas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary vs local ISD

Health benefits (employee premium paid

Vision, Dental, Life, Disability

Paid sick time and holidays

TRS retirement with employer matching

403(b) and 457(b) plans

Flexible spending accounts

LinkedIn Learning access

Tuition assistance

Staff library access

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is hiring a Life Skills Special Education Teacher for its University Charter School located at Nexus Children’s Hospital Houston Campus. This 194-day position runs August through May with salary spread across 12 months. Start date is immediate, with a 40-hour work week in Houston, TX.

The role requires Texas special education certification and collaboration with a pediatric hospital team. Salary starts around $65,000 with adjustments based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Valid Texas Special Education EC-12 certification.
• Core Subject EC-6 certification is a plus.
• Knowledge of TEKS and Texas curriculum standards.

Responsibilities

• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and development.
• Plan and implement instructional interventions and activities.
• Implement students' IEP and 504 accommodations.
• Maintain open communication with staff, parents, and students.
• Manage student behavior per policies and procedures.
• Conduct ongoing assessment and use data to inform instruction.
• Participate in faculty meetings and professional development.

Skills

Special Education EC-12

Core Subject EC-6

TEKS knowledge

Curriculum instruction

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Trauma-informed approach

Technology proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Life Skills Special Education Teacher

Hiring Department: College of Education

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: HOUSTON, TX

General Notes

You will make a difference! You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of students and colleagues. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll love working in the UT Charter School System.

Outstanding Benefits Package

• Salaries that are highly competitive with the local ISD
• Eligibility for annual merit-based permanent salary increases
• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Paid sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits

Purpose

This teaching position is located in Houston, Texas at the University of Texas-University Charter School (Nexus Children’s Hospital Houston Campus). This teaching position is located at a pediatric children’s hospital in a non-traditional educational setting. Students at this campus receive inpatient and rehabilitative services for complex medical injuries/illnesses, autism/developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological diagnoses. This 194 days (traditional school calendar) position is from August 1st to May 31. Salary is spread over 12 months. The University of Texas-University Charter School is a public charter school and follows all state and federal regulations for public school services. The University of Texas-University Charter School is a part of the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education and participates in the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment. This is a termed position ending on July 31, 2027.

Salary Range

$65,000 + depending on qualifications

Responsibilities

• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Effectively plan and use appropriate instructional interventions, strategies, activities, materials, and equipment to add educational value for each student.
• ESL, GT, at-risk, etc.
• Comply with UT-UCS curriculum standards and all relevant policies and procedures UT, UT-UCS, and campus.
• Implement each student's IEP and 504 accommodations as stated.
• Establish and maintain open communication with the principal, professional support personnel, teachers, facility staff, parents, and students.
• Manage student behavior effectively and in accordance with the treatment plan if applicable, the Student Code of Conduct and the student handbook.
• Conduct ongoing, formal, and informal assessment of student learning.
• Utilize data effectively to inform instruction.
• Participate in faculty meetings, committee meetings and staff development as required.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Texas Special Education EC-12 and any Core Subject EC-6 certifications.
• Knowledge of assigned subject or subjects.
• Understanding of TEKS and the curriculum standards of the State of Texas.
• General knowledge of curriculum and instruction.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a non-traditional school setting with special needs students of varying abilities and interests.
• Maintain awareness and understanding of the role that trauma may play in the lives of our students.
• Proficiency in technology and technology applications to the level specified by the district.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• This position requires fingerprinting.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Texas English as a Second Language Supplement EC-12 and American Sign Language EC-12 teaching certifications.
• At least one year of student teaching or approved internship.

Working Conditions

Classrooms are located within a pediatric children’s hospital in a non-traditional educational setting.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorisation to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Why Join Us

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Contacts

Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone].

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