Special Education Teacher

Making Waves Academy; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Making Waves Academy seeks a dedicated Special Education Teacher to deliver Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) and support students with IEPs from 5th grade upward. You will collaborate with general education staff to ensure access to rigorous curriculum and progress toward IEP goals.

The role emphasizes data-informed instruction, inclusive classroom practices, and strong teamwork within a supportive Bay Area school community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and valid state teaching credential or eligibility to obtain one (support is provided).
• CA Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Mild/Moderate Support Needs and 3+ years’ experience in a special education setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI), primarily through push-in and pull-out support for reading, writing, math and general academics to meet IEP goals.
• Establish and maintain an organized, inclusive classroom with a positive behavior support program.
• Analyze and reflect on student data (IEP progress, benchmarks, classroom data) to inform practice.
• Write high-quality IEPs, goals and progress reports.

Skills

Team collaboration

Data-driven instruction

IEP knowledge

Spanish language

Education

Bachelor's degree

CA Education Specialist Credential (Mild/Moderate)

Job description

Our Faculty salary scale ensures equitable pay progression commensurate with experience, education, and professional certifications. Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 (academic year).
Faculty Salary Scale

Our Mission: Commitment to Intergenerational Change
When you join Making Waves Academy (MWA), you are committing to interrupt inequity by supporting every Wave-Maker’s journey to a rewarding life dream. This role is instrumental in ensuring rigorous, holistic support for students from the 5th grade to career success. We seek a data-driven leader and advocate ready to make a lasting impact on our students and the community.

What you’ll be doing…
At Making Waves Academy, we value the expertise of our Special Education Teachers as leaders of inclusion and instructional adaptation.

We offer a professional environment where you will focus on delivering high-impact Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) and driving measurable academic growth for students with IEPs. Our model emphasizes full collaboration with general education colleagues to seamlessly integrate students, ensuring they have meaningful access to rigorous grade-level curriculum throughout the school day.

• Provide Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI), primarily through push-in support combined with pull-out support focusing on targeted interventions in reading, writing, math, and general academic support to ensure student progress toward IEP goals.
• Establish and maintain a well-organized, structured, and inclusive classroom environment. Implement and maintain a positive behavior support program using appropriate techniques that complement student treatment.
• Administer, analyze, and reflect upon quantitative and qualitative student data (including IEP progress data, school-wide benchmarks, and classroom data) to inform instructional practice.
• Write high-quality, effective IEPs, IEP goals, and IEP progress reports.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree and strong content area knowledge, and valid state teaching credential or eligibility to obtain one (support is provided for eligible applicants). CA Education Specialist Instruction Credential in [Mild/Moderate Support Needs), CLAD/BCLAD, and 3+ years’ experience in a special education setting is preferred.
• Highly organized, goal-oriented, resilient, and possess a strong desire to work collaboratively in a team-first setting. Unwavering commitment to closing achievement gaps and raising student expectations.
• While not required, fluency in Spanish will be a significant advantage in this role, allowing for broader engagement with our diverse campus community.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Compensation and Benefits
Joining Making Waves Academy means securing a robust, comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your long-term financial, physical, and professional well-being right here in the Bay Area. We ensure your stability and growth so you can focus on maximizing every Wave-Maker's potential.

Financial Well-being
We offer competitive, above-market salaries that reflect your vital expertise in educational support, recognizing your commitment to our students. Beyond your base pay, you will have immediate access to a dedicated retirement savings plan, helping you build financial confidence for the future.

Health and Wellness
Your health is our priority. We proudly cover 100% of most premiums for medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and acupuncture options for you and your family. We also offer benefits such as employee assistance programs to support your mental and emotional wellness.

Time to Recharge
We believe educators need time to recharge. You will receive generous paid time off , plus all school holidays and breaks. This schedule is designed to ensure meaningful time away from campus, facilitating a sustainable and healthy work-life balance that is critical to preventing burnout.
Professional Growth
We commit to your continuous improvement! You will benefit from ongoing training, dedicated collaboration time, and resources specifically designed to enhance your instructional and behavioral support expertise. You’ll be part of a culture that sees professional growth as essential to our mission.