Special Education Teacher (SY 26-27)

Uplift Education; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 63,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Uplift Education in Fort Worth, TX is seeking a qualified Special Education Teacher to develop and implement instructional programs for students with IEPs, collaborate with families, teachers, and staff, and ensure compliance with ARD processes.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and Texas teaching certification with special education endorsements; experience in IEP design; strong communication; and willingness to participate in HB 3 Reading Academies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with special education endorsements or ability to obtain them.
• Texas Teacher Certification with special education endorsements required or in progress.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with parents and staff to develop IEPs through ARD.
• Design and implement instructional programs for students with IEPs.
• Ensure IEP guidelines are met and adapt materials to student needs.
• Assist in scheduling and oversee teacher aides and volunteers.
• Maintain records and participate in staff meetings and safety procedures.

Skills

Communication Skills

Bilingual Spanish

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Special Education Endorsements

Texas Teacher Certification

Job description

Mission Statement

Uplift's mission is to create and sustain public schools of excellence that empower each student to reach their highest potential in college and the global marketplace and that inspire in students a life-long love of learning, achievement, and service in order to positively change their world.

Primary Purpose

Provide students with appropriate educational activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Help students develop the skills necessary to be a productive member of society.

Summary

Provide special education students with appropriate learning activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Develop student ability level instructional materials through modified curriculum and prepared lesson plans. Conduct work in self-contained, team, departmental or itinerant capacity as necessary.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Instructional Strategies

• Work in conjunction with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEPs through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Design, write and use instructional, therapeutic or skill development programs for assigned students and ensure written plans are available for review.
• Ensure comprehension of learning styles and student needs are met through creation and implementation of appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment.
• Collaborate with classroom teacher on student IEP to ensure all modifications are met and help special education students in regular class when appropriate.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on an ongoing basis.
• Design instructional activities by using data from students learning styles assessment.
• Ensure IEP guidelines are met when presenting subject matter.
• Use an assortment of media and techniques to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Produce and oversee the teacher aide and volunteer assignments.
• Employ technology practices to strengthen the instructional process.

Growth and Development

• Produce formal and informal testing to evaluate student success.
• Oversee or ensure personal care, medical care and feedings of students as stated in IEP.
• Manage and care for all extracurricular duties as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by charter principal.
• Serve as an example for students, support mission of charter.

Classroom Management

• Prepare classrooms to enhance learning and aid in the physical, social, and emotional development of the students.
• Control student behavior and implement discipline plan. This includes handling crisis and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Collaborate with the classroom teachers regarding student behavior management programs according to IEP.
• Collaborate with charter and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Ensure necessary and reasonable measures are taken to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Provide input on books, equipment, and material selection.

Communication

• Ensure good communication rapport with parents, students, principals, and teachers through conferences.
• Create and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Present information accurately through clear communication skills.

Other

• Enrich job skills through professional development activities.
• Keep up to date and abide by federal, state and charter policies for special education teachers.
• Gather, manage, and file all reports, records and other documents required.
• Be active in faculty meetings and assist in staff committees as required.
• Maintain accurate Time & Effort records of program activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises and oversees Teacher's Aide. Fulfills supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, And/or CERTIFICATION(S)

• Education Requirements: Bachelor's degree (B.A./ B.S.) from an accredited college or university required special education endorsements for assignments or be able to obtain such. Master's Degree is preferred but not required.
• Experience Requirements: Previous Teaching experience a plus
• Special Skills/Certifications:
• Must have valid Texas Teacher Certification required special education endorsements for assignments or be enrolled in an Uplift designated certification course.
• All K-3 teachers, including special education teachers, and principals are required to attend the HB 3 Reading Academies by the end of the 2022 - 2023 school year.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Communication Skills: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Bilingual Skills: Spanish speaking a plus
• Technology: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook). Ability to use basic office equipment. The ability to learn and use other software, as necessary.

Certification Requirement (required For Employment)

As a condition of employment with Uplift Education, all instructional candidates who are not currently certified are required to apply and enroll in the Teach Us Certification Program (or an Uplift-approved alternative).

Candidates are expected to have applied to the Teach Us Certification Program at the time of offer acceptance or immediately upon receiving an offer.

Enrollment must be completed within the designated onboarding timeline. Failure to apply, enroll, or make satisfactory progress toward certification may result in delays in onboarding or impact employment eligibility.

This requirement aligns with Uplift's expectation that all instructional staff meet state certification standards or are actively progressing toward certification.

Safety Duties & Responsibilities

Every employee of the School has an obligation to know our safety rules and procedures; to teach what they know to others; to recognize unsafe actions and situations; to warn others of unsafe situations; to react to emergency situations and to report hazardous or unsafe practices to those in a position to correct them.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees must be able to maintain emotional control under stress. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours will be necessary.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and use stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level is low to high and may have frequent interruptions. There may be activity from other employees and students of a distracting nature.

Other Qualifications

Satisfactory criminal records check, pre-hire and annually thereafter, if applicable. Must be eligible to work in the United States and provide work authorization.

Modification Of Duties & Essential Functions

Uplift Education retains the right to change and/or modify the duties and essential functions of this position at any time. This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.

Starting Salary

$63,000

High Needs Subject Stipend

$4,500

Equal Employment Opportunity

Uplift Education is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state or local law.