Special Education Co-Teacher - IDEA Weslaco College Prep (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools; Texas; On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Family Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Employer-Paid Mental Health

Job summary

IDEA Public Schools is seeking Special Education Co-Teachers to learn instructional strategies and gain classroom experience, supporting IDEA students under guidance from lead teachers. Compensation is hourly, ranging from $16.05 to $23.17, with earnings paid out over a 12‑month period.

The role includes a comprehensive benefits plan, paid family leave, tuition reimbursement, and mental health supports. Candidates should have at least 48 college hours, a bachelor’s degree (preferred), and a

Qualifications

• Education: At least 48 college hours required, bachelor’s degree (strongly preferred).
• Experience: Classroom or child-care experience recommended.
• Licenses/Certifications: Willingness to pursue SPED certification strongly preferred; IDEA certification program eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Assist in educational and social development under guidance of facilitators and teachers.
• Support implementation of Individual Education Plans and monitor progress.
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside the classroom.
• Collaborate with professionals (speech, social work, therapists).
• Help maintain student records and assist with behavior support.

Skills

Instruct students

Manage student behavior

Strong organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

At least 48 college hours

Bachelor's degree preferred

Willingness to pursue SPED certification

IDEA Special Education Certification Program eligibility

Job description

Description

Role Mission: IDEA Special Education Co-Teachers learn instructional strategies and develop their teaching skills in order to provide highly effective instruction to IDEA students. The Special Education Co-Teacher position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain valuable experience in Special Education teaching, wants challenging work, and the opportunity to advance in his or her education career.

What We Offer

Compensation

• Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $16.05 for 0 years of experience and $23.17
• Hourly co-teachers earnings are paid out over a 12-month period

Other Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

What You Bring -- Competencies

Qualifications

• Education: At least 48 college hours required, bachelor’s degree (strongly preferred)
• Experience: Experience in a classroom setting or with children
• Licenses or Certifications:
• Willingness to pursue a Special Education teaching certification strongly preferred.
• IDEA Co-Teachers with a bachelor’s degree are eligible to enroll in the IDEA Special Education Certification Program (ISECP), an alternative certification program facilitated by South Texas Transition to Teaching (SOTEX). The goal of the program is for all participants to gain a special education certification and become future special education teachers at IDEA.

Knowledge And Skills

• Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment

Responsibilities

• Assist in the educational and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the facilitator and classroom teachers
• Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities
• Work with other professionals, such as speech therapist, social worker, occupational and physical therapists
• Assist classroom teachers with maintaining student records
• Support students with emotional or behavior concerns and assist them in developing appropriate social skills
• Assistance of daily living may include feeding, lifting and/or toileting in the Life Skills Unit
• At some campuses, school bus riding to accompany students may be needed before or after school

We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students

About IDEA Public Schools

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to the fastest-growing network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools in the United States.

IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves nearly 80,000 college-bound students in 137 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.

When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.

Staff Experience

At IDEA, the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!