Special Education Teacher

Phoenix Network; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Mental health benefits

Wellness plans

403b retirement plan

Longevity bonus

Pet insurance

Job summary

Phoenix Charter Academy is seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher to provide specialized instruction and support to students with disabilities. You will implement IEPs and work with families and educators to ensure needs are met academically and emotionally.

The role requires collaboration with general education teachers, therapists, and support staff to coordinate services and monitor student progress, while staying updated on best practices in special education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in special education or related field.
• Strong knowledge of special education laws, policies, and procedures.
• Experience with diverse learners and disabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, parents, and stakeholders.
• Patience, empathy, and passion for students with special needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
• Assess students' skills and needs through formal and informal assessments.
• Adapt instructional materials and strategies to meet individual needs.
• Collaborate with general education teachers for inclusive practices.
• Provide direct instruction and small-group support.
• Monitor progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed.
• Communicate regularly with parents and stakeholders about student performance.
• Attend IEP meetings and provide input on goals, accommodations, and modifications.
• Coordinate with therapists and support staff to arrange services.
• Stay current with best practices in special education.

Skills

IEP Development

Collaboration

Effective Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Special Education

Job description

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a dedicated and passionate Special Education Teacher to join our team. As a Special Education Teacher, you will be responsible for providing specialized instruction and support to students with disabilities. You will work closely with students, parents, and other educators to ensure that individualized education plans (IEPs) are implemented effectively, and that students' needs are met both academically and emotionally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or a related field in special education
• Strong knowledge of special education laws, policies, and procedures
• Experience working with students with diverse learning needs and disabilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for working with students with special needs

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities
• Assess students' skills and needs through formal and informal assessments
• Adapt instructional materials and strategies to meet the unique needs of students
• Collaborate with general education teachers to ensure inclusive instructional practices in the classroom
• Provide direct instruction and support to students, both individually and in small groups
• Monitor and evaluate student progress, adjusting instructional strategies as necessaryCommunicate regularly with parents and other stakeholders to discuss student performance and progress
• Attend IEP meetings and provide input on student goals, accommodations, and modifications
• Collaborate with support staff, therapists, and other professionals to coordinate services for students with special needs
• Stay current with best practices and research in special education

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Special Education Teacher who is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high‑performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under‑credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential.

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person's life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.

Commitment to DEI

At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities.

At Phoenix, we aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups.

At Phoenix, we solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization.

At Phoenix we do not just accept difference — we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualities Of Phoenix Staff Member

• Unwavering belief in our students- Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints.
• Continuous Improvement - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of "I can always learn more" and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open‑minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody "lifelong learner" mindsets and strive for constant improvement.
• Eager to Learn - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self‑identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society.

What You"ll Bring:

• Communication - Conveys information effectively and efficiently using verbal, non‑verbal, and written communication skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference.
• Scholar Orientation - Works to deepen understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of how the work is done.
• Adaptability - Adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally.
• Strong work ethic with ability to work independently and in a team environment

What You"ll Get

• Competitive market comp
• medical
• dental
• vision
• mental health
• wellness plans
• 403b
• employee perks such as longevity bonus and pet insurance

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

*The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network's sole discretion*