Special Education Teacher

Acceleration Academies; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation starts at $55

Retirement plan (STRS/SERS)

Insurance Coverage

Flexible Paid Time Off

Wellness Support

Employee Referral Incentives

Professional Development

Bonus Opportunities

Job summary

Acceleration Academies is seeking a Special Education Teacher to serve as the primary instructional resource for Graduation Candidates, delivering competency‑based content and guiding students toward graduation and post‑secondary success. You’ll work with a collaborative team to provide academic, social‑emotional, and career support that empowers each learner’s journey.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Masters' preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Masters' preferred.
• ACTIVE Ohio Intervention Specialist license (Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Intensive) REQUIRED with licensure transfer support.
• 2+ years of teaching experience (high school preferred).
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with inclusivity and collaboration.
• Commitment to supporting at-risk youth and fostering academic and personal breakthroughs.

Responsibilities

• Support new student enrollment by engaging in recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Assist in creating Personalized Learning Plans tailored to each student’s unique needs and goals.
• Serve as an advisor for assigned students by maintaining open communication with them and their support team.
• Monitor attendance, academic progress, and overall well-being to ensure engagement.
• Plan and deliver instruction in individual and group settings to ensure mastery of material.
• Conduct formative and summative assessments and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
• Utilize data to inform instructional decisions and enhance student outcomes.
• Contribute to academy initiatives, including data reviews and professional development.
• Collaborate on personalized learning pathways, behavior improvement plans, and transition strategies.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Masters' preferred

Job description

About this position

About Acceleration Academies

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re‑engagement programs are supported by cutting‑edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.

The Role

As a Special Education Teacher, you will serve as the primary instructional resource for our Graduation Candidates (GCs), delivering competency‑based content, supporting personalized learning, and guiding students toward graduation and post‑secondary success. You’ll work with a collaborative team to provide academic, social‑emotional, and career‑oriented support that empowers each learner’s journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Support new student enrollment by engaging in recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Assist in creating Personalized Learning Plans tailored to each student’s unique needs and goals.

Retention

• Serve as an advisor for assigned students by maintaining open communication with them and their support team.
• Monitor students’ attendance, academic progress, and overall well‑being to ensure consistent engagement and success.
• Plan and deliver subject‑specific instruction in both individual and group settings, ensuring students stay on track toward course completion and mastery of the material.
• Conduct assessments—both formative (ongoing) and summative (final)—to evaluate students' academic progress and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
• Analyze and utilize data to inform instructional decisions and enhance student outcomes.
• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), special education services, and English Language Learner (ELL) accommodations. Support and document progress toward annual goals, short‑term objectives, and benchmarks while participating in necessary meetings.
• Provide targeted remediation and enrichment activities for individuals or small groups of students based on their specific needs.
• Contribute to the success of academy initiatives, including data reviews, professional development workshops, and school/community events.

Advocacy

• Collaborate with the student support team to develop personalized learning pathways, behavior improvement plans, and transition strategies, including incentive programs to enhance academic achievement.
• Actively participate in academy‑wide meetings and represent the academy in community events to foster connections and advocate for student success.
• Perform other responsibilities as needed to support the academy's mission and goals.

What We’re Looking For

Education: Bachelor’s degree required Masters' preferred

Licensure: ACTIVE Ohio Intervention Specialist license (Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Intensive) REQUIRED. Candidates holding a comparable out‑of‑state special education license, or currently completing an Ohio Alternative Resident Educator Intervention Specialist pathway, are encouraged to apply and will be supported through Ohio licensure transfer. All hires must complete Ohio BCI/FBI background checks and Rapback enrollment.

Experience: 2+ years of teaching experience (high school preferred).

Skills: Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills, with a focus on inclusivity and collaboration.

Passion: A commitment to supporting at‑risk youth and fostering their academic and personal breakthroughs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in non‑traditional or at‑risk youth settings.
• Familiarity with behavior intervention strategies and alternative education models.
• Experience with competency‑based learning, instructional coaching, or project‑based education.
• Strong comfort with technology in educational settings.

Why Join Us?

Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you’ll directly impact students’ lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation.

We prioritize the holistic well‑being of our team members and their families through comprehensive total rewards:

Competitive Compensation: starts at $55,000

Retirement Security: As a public school employee in Ohio, you are enrolled in either the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or the School Employees Retirement System (SERS), providing you with a defined benefit pension plan designed to support your long‑term financial future.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones.

Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work‑life balance through adaptable FTO.

Wellness Support: Employer‑paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources.

Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team.

Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth.

Bonus Opportunities: Celebrating milestones and achievements with performance‑based bonuses.

Physical & Work Environment

• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds
• Work in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during events
• Occasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage

Equal Opportunity Employer

Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include:

• Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours
• On‑site presence (for roles designated as in‑person/onsite)
• Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations
• Ability to perform job functions in an open, student‑centered workspace

If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role.

Salary Information