Special Education Teacher

southwestleadershipacademy; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Plan

Flexible Spending Account

403(b) Matching Plan

Job summary

Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School in Philadelphia, PA, seeks a Special Education Teacher for the Lower School for the 2026-2027 school year. The role focuses on leadership-based instruction to support students in grades K-8, with a commitment to high-poverty communities and inclusive practices.

The position offers a competitive salary range of $55,000 to $75,000 per year, based on education and experience, with a 10-month academic calendar.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Active PA Instructional I or II certificate, temporary certificate, or valid out-of-state license for the teaching area.
• Criminal history background check, physical and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident status.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction aligned to school goals with emphasis on high standards for all students.
• Instruct classes using curriculum and supported materials.
• Give timely and actionable feedback on assignments and assessments.
• Develop and implement lesson/unit plans to support instruction.
• Maintain a productive classroom environment and manage behavior.
• Record student progress and maintain records per school policies.
• Collaborate with peers to ensure consistent learning experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Data-informed instruction

Community engagement

Growth mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree

PA Instructional I/II/Tenure license

Background check & citizenship status

Master’s degree preferred

Urban teaching experience preferred

Job description

Position: Special Education Teacher, Lower School

Organization: Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School

School Year: 2026-2027

Location: Philadelphia, PA 19142

Salary: $55-75K

About Us

Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School (SLA) was founded to address the need for community access to exceptional, leadership-based education in the heart of southwest Philadelphia. Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School supports over 600 students in grades K-8 in single-sex classrooms, leveraging research from the world-renowned Gurian Institute around socio-emotional learning and differentiation between the sexes, fueling growth, leadership, and engagement for all students. Kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms are supported by two educators from the SLA team. This translates to more individual student attention and increased opportunities for differentiated instruction.

We understand that a collaborative learning environment between teachers, parents, and school staff is crucial to setting up every child’s educational success.

Our Mission and Life at SLA

SLA is committed to building talented and committed cadres of teachers charged with the skills to develop leaders by empowering scholars to change the factors that define their reality. Our staff will work with students to develop the leadership skills necessary to drive complete community rejuvenation in Southwest Philadelphia. In developing these skills, students will cultivate an array of leadership components that they can apply to community change on a global scale.

Job Description

This role is for you if –

• is a LEADER capable of academic achievement
• can positively impact and contribute to the school and community
• needs a positive and hopeful definition of reality in order to succeed

Qualifications

• Minimum:
  • A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Appropriate Instructional I or Instructional II Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate, Temporary Teaching Certificate or valid out of state license for the given subject area for which you are teaching.
  • Required criminal history background check, physical and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.
• Preferred:
  • A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university either in education or in content areas (e.g. Math, Science)
  • Two (2) years of urban teaching experience

Key Responsibilities

An SLA Teacher is charged with providing instruction to our students and is specifically responsible for, but not limited to:

• Implementing instruction according to the school’s educational goals and objectives by focusing on high standards and achievement for all students, including ELL and/or those who receive special education services.
• Instructing classes as assigned by leveraging school curriculum and texts and other support materials as needed.
• Providing timely and actionable feedback to students regarding their assignments and assessments.
• Developing and Implementing lesson and unit plans to support effective delivery of instruction.
• Encouraging students to set and maintain standards of behavior needed to achieve.
• Maintaining a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Providing for continuous evaluation of student progress consistent with school established goals and policies.
• Maintaining student records and other pertinent data as determined by the school.
• Facilitating students’ progress and growth toward stated objectives of instruction within the limits of the resources provided by the school.
• Actively participating in all professional development, team planning, and data analysis meetings as needed.
• Collaborating with grade level and/or content peers to create a consistent learning experience for students.

An ideal candidate

• Commitment to the success of all SLA students and specifically to raising the academic achievement of children in high-poverty communities and/ or children with special needs.
• Desire to grow professionally and seek out new opportunities to learn; and integrity and clarity in all communications and interactions.
• Ability to use data to inform instruction
• Innovative teaching methodologies through techniques such as team teaching, demonstrations, simulations, and consultations.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Ability to critically assess challenges and identify effective instructional/behavioral solutions to support the success of each of his or her students.
• Exceptional classroom management skills.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong working knowledge of technology used to design and differentiate instruction for students.

Additional Information

Salary

• Competitive salary based on education and experience.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403(b) Matching Plan

Employment Period

• Ten (10) Months, non-tenurable position

Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are selected on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.