Special Ed Functional Skills Teacher - Lead & Inspire

Journey Community Schools; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Life insurance/short-term and long‑/–0

TN state retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Job summary

Journey Community Schools in Memphis, TN is seeking a Special Education Functional Skills teacher. You will provide individualized instruction and support to students with significant needs, focusing on functional academics, life skills, communication, and independence.

The role requires collaboration with families and staff, development of IEPs, data-driven progress monitoring, and crisis prevention training; the organization offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.
• Valid teaching license in Special Education (461) K–12 or reciprocal.
• 2+ years of teaching in functional skills or self-contained classroom.
• CPI or similar crisis prevention training.
• Experience collaborating with paraprofessionals.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements IEPs aligned to students’ academic, functional, behavioral, and transition goals.
• Delivers instruction in functional academics, daily living skills, communication, motor development, vocational skills, and social-emotional learning.
• Adapts classroom instruction and collaborates with general education teachers and Instructional Aids (IAs) to provide appropriate accommodations and modifications.
• Demonstrates and models instructional methods required to perform classroom and subject-specific assignments.
• Uses evidence-based instructional strategies, assistive technology, visual supports, and adaptive materials to meet diverse student needs.
• Establishes structured routines and predictable environments to promote independence, engagement, and safety.
• Serve as the Lead instructor in the Functional Skills classroom providing direct guidance and support to the Instructional Aid(s) in supporting students’ both academically and adaptively.
• Administers developmental assessments, curriculum-based measures, and subject-specific assignments to assess student competency.
• Assesses student progress toward academic, behavioral, communication, motor, and vocational goals.
• Collects, analyzes, and uses data to adjust instruction and support student growth.
• Prepares progress reports and provides feedback to students, families, and administration.
• Implements positive behavior supports and behavior intervention plans (BIPs); CPI supports where required to support students.
• Supports students with personal care needs (e.g., toileting, diapering, feeding, mobility) in accordance with training and policies.
• Administers first aid when a nurse is not available and responds to emergency situations as needed.
• Promotes student dignity, self-advocacy, independence, and confidence.
• Advises and communicates with parents and/or legal guardians regarding student progress, expectations, and strategies for home support.
• Collaborates with instructional staff, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, and community resources.
• Counsels students and refers to related services as appropriate to support academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Participates in IEP meetings, referrals, data meetings, and other required meetings as needed.
• Prepares and maintains required documentation including IEPs, progress monitoring data, behavior logs, attendance, grades, and anecdotal records.
• Maintains accurate and confidential special education files (paper and electronic) in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensures compliance with IDEA, Tennessee Department of Education, Journey Community Schools, and LEA.

Skills

Problem-solving

Consensus-building

Instructional strategies

IEP development

Behavior support plans

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Communication skills

Paraprofessional collaboration

CPI training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field

Job description

Journey Community Schools in Memphis, TN is seeking a Special Education Functional Skills teacher. You will provide individualized instruction and support to students with significant needs, focusing on functional academics, life skills, communication, and independence.

The role requires collaboration with families and staff, development of IEPs, data-driven progress monitoring, and crisis prevention training; the organization offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.