Special Education Teacher- Self-Contained

Center City Public Charter Schools; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with employer-m

Life and Disability Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid sick and personal leave

Job summary

Center City Public Charter Schools – Shaw Campus (Washington, D.C.) seeks a Self-Contained Special Education Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. You will lead a small classroom for students with IEPs, delivering targeted instruction and ensuring compliance with IEPs and district policies.

You will collaborate with related service providers, engage families, and participate in PLCs and campus planning to support inclusive, high-expectation learning environments.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Special Education or related field preferred.
• Valid Special Education teaching license (or plan to obtain).
• Experience in a self-contained classroom preferred.
• Strong familiarity with Common Core State Standards and Eureka Math.
• Knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies and data-driven instruction.
• Working knowledge of DC special education laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small self-contained classroom for students with IEPs.
• Deliver targeted instruction and accommodations tailored to IEPs.
• Develop and implement IEPs with input from families and general education teachers.
• Track progress toward IEP goals and report progress regularly.
• Collaborate with related service providers to align instruction.
• Maintain Compliance with federal, local, and district requirements.
• Engage families in the student’s academic growth and transition planning.
• Participate in PLCs, planning, and district professional development.

Skills

Special Education

IEP Development

Data-driven instruction

Collaboration

Behavior management

Education

Master's Degree in Special Education

Tools

Eureka Math

Common Core Standards

Job description

Center City is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining one of the best faculties in the District.

Special Education Teacher- Self-Contained

Special Education Teacher (Self-Contained)

School Year: 2026–2027

Location: Center City Public Charter Schools – Shaw Campus (Washington, D.C.)

Reports To: Campus Principal & Assistant Principal

About Center City Public Charter Schools & Shaw Campus

Center City Public Charter Schools (Center City PCS) empowers students for lifelong success by building strong character, promoting academic excellence, and encouraging public service across Washington, D.C. We serve over 1,400 students across six campuses with a team of more than 250 dedicated educators and leaders.

At our Shaw Campus, we are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top-tier faculty who help every child reach their full potential in an inclusive, high-expectation learning environment.

Position Summary

The Self-Contained Special Education Teacher works under the direct supervision of the Campus Principal and Assistant Principal, with additional support and oversight from the Central Office Student Support Services Department.

In this role, you will lead a small, self-contained classroom for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). You will deliver targeted instruction, implement accommodations, and foster an environment where students with diverse learning needs thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Key Responsibilities

Instruction & Classroom Management

Classroom Leadership: Serve as the lead teacher in a small self-contained classroom, establishing clear structures, positive routines, and high behavioral and academic expectations.

Curriculum & Scaffolding: Plan and deliver instruction across all content areas aligned with grade-level standards, utilizing appropriate scaffolds, accommodations, or alternative curricula suited to developmental needs.

Targeted Support: Provide small-group and individual instruction tailored to student needs, using ongoing data tracking to adapt IEP programming.

Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support: Help develop and implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) or informal behavior management systems while supporting students' social-emotional growth.

IEP Development & Compliance

IEP Writing & Execution: Write, update, and execute comprehensive IEPs based on assessment data, student priority skills, and input from parents, students, and general education teachers.

Progress Monitoring: Regularly track student progress toward IEP goals and grade-level standards, writing clear and data-driven progress reports.

Compliance: Adhere strictly to all federal, local, and district special education compliance deadlines.

Collaboration: Partner closely with related service providers (speech, occupational therapy, counseling, etc.) to align instruction and accommodations.

Family Engagement & Professional Growth

Family Partnerships: Actively engage families in their child’s academic growth, including soliciting input for IEP development, evaluation decisions, and Secondary Transition Plans.

Professional Community: Actively participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), weekly campus-based planning, and district-wide professional development.

Continuous Improvement: Seek out and implement feedback from instructional leaders to continuously refine classroom practice.

Professional Standards: Maintain school-wide standards for punctuality, attendance, and professional conduct (Standard teacher hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Participate in occasional school events outside regular hours.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s Degree in Special Education or a related field preferred.

Licensure: Valid Special Education teaching license (or an active plan to obtain licensure).

Experience: Prior teaching experience in a self-contained classroom setting preferred.

Curriculum & Standards: Strong familiarity with the Common Core State Standards (including the Math Coherence Map) and experience with the Eureka Math curriculum preferred.

Instructional & Behavior Management: Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies, data-driven instruction, and classroom management strategies for diverse learners.

Legal Knowledge: Working knowledge of local (D.C.) and federal special education laws and regulations.

Key Attributes: Highly organized, strong communication skills, and positive professional references from past employers.

Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 10 pounds.

Center City PCS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including:

Health & Wellness: Employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

Retirement: 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.

Financial Protection: Employer-provided Life and Disability Insurance; Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

Time Off: Paid sick and personal leave.

Center City PCS educators are teachers, mentors, and leaders, they play an important role ensuring each student maximizes their potential.

Why Build a Career at Center City?

Ongoing Professional Development

Center City recognizes that our teachers, just like our students, are life-long learners. We also know that investments in employee professional development and career success are significant factors in employee satisfaction. Therefore, we provide extensive professional development opportunities, including workshops, professional learning communities, and coaching to improve the quality of instruction. As educators, we share the ultimate goal of improving student outcomes.

Teacher Voice Matters

Teachers matter at Center City and we take every opportunity to listen and learn. Through informal discussions, gatherings, surveys and networking events, teachers always have an opportunity to share. Center City believes in open and honest communication and we celebrate being an authentic and diverse community.

Teacher Qualifications: The Basics

While every teacher is different, Center City PCS seekscandidates with:

• A bachelor’s or master's degree in an applicable subject area;
• A passing Praxis exam score by OSSE standards for the applicable grade level or subject area; and
• One year of full-time teaching experience, preferably in an urban environment.

Center City PCS continues to partner with TORSH Talent, an online professional learning platform that supports educator growth through a development cycle of assessment, goal setting, feedback, coaching, and data analysis.