Special Education Teacher (The Hope Academy)

The Hope Academy; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hope Academy seeks a dedicated special education teacher to create an intentionally culturally responsive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds. You will support listening, speaking, reading, and writing, while fostering belonging and effective communication across the classroom.

You will plan inclusive lessons, assess student progress, and collaborate with teachers and therapists to deliver an integrated educational/therapeutic model.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with valid special education teacher certification from RIDE or the ability to obtain
• Ability to move about the classroom and building continuously throughout the workday
• Utilize the computer (20%) of the time and other office equipment

Responsibilities

• Teaches content in English Language Arts, mathematics, social studies and science in an inclusive classroom
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials with diverse content
• Demonstrates concepts using models, talk, reflective writing and technology
• Knowledge of workshop model and authentic assessment practices
• Administer diagnostic assessments such as RICAS and iReady
• Provide opportunities for individual and small group instruction
• Collaborate with teachers and therapists to implement an integrated educational/therapeutic model
• Develop progress reports and IEPs within timelines
• Plan motivating activities aligned with each student’s IEP
• Maintain data records to inform grading and progress reports
• Initiate special education evaluations and re-evaluations with special education director
• Co‑teach with general educators to provide inclusive instruction
• Demonstrate culturally informed behavior management and positive guidance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with valid special education teacher certification from RIDE or the ability to obtain

Job description

Description

SUMMARY OF MAIN DUTIES:

Creates an intentional culturally responsive learning environment inclusive of students from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, abilities and family structures. Encourages a sense of belonging and positive classroom community for students while developing skills for listening, speaking, reading, and writing to support effective communication. Motivates learning by validating students as asset-based individuals. All teachers are expected to be aware of microaggressions and redirect to amplify affirmations. Fully engages students in discussion and other modalities of participation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Teaches content and skills in English Language Arts, mathematics, social studies and science to students utilizing course of study adopted by The Hope Academy in a fully inclusive classroom
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials that consistently contain diverse content throughout the academic year
• Demonstrates concepts and strategies using models, talk, reflective writing, and other available resources including technology
• Knowledge of best instructional practices within a workshop model
• Knowledge of authentic assessment practices using strategies to mitigate stereotype threat in feedback, assessment, and grading
• Knowledge and practice of methods for formatively assessing students across all content areas including running records, analytic writing rubrics, and conferring
• Administer RICAS, iReady and other diagnostic assessments such as WCJ-IV
• Provides opportunities for individual and small group instruction that is purposeful and flexible to meet the needs of students
• Collaborate with other teachers and therapists to implement an integrated educational/ therapeutic model
• Develop lesson plans, progress reports, and IEPs within specified timelines as directed
• Plan and implement motivating and creative age appropriate activates to address goals as outlined in each students’ IEP
• Maintain data records on each student’s progress in order to be used to write accurate progress reports and to inform grading
• Work with special education director to initiate special education evaluations and re-evaluations to determine students’ eligibility for services
• Collaborate with other educators and specialists in the planning, adapting and teaching of the curriculum for all students
• Co‑teaches and plans with general educator and identifies opportunities to provide for inclusive instruction
• Demonstrates culturally informed behavior management and discipline practices with the ability to neutralize the pattern of inequitable discipline of children of color
• Uses positive guidance techniques such as redirection, modeling appropriate behavior and praise.
• Provide supervision, guidance and feedback for teacher assistants as needed
• Develops and maintains contact with families with an awareness and respect for each student and their families from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, abilities and family structures
• Facilitates interactions among students that provide opportunities for emotional, social, and cognitive growth and an understanding of each child
• Actively seeks and participates in ongoing professional development as offered by the school or independent study
• Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the school day

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with valid special education teacher certification from RIDE or the ability to obtain
• Work environment and physical requirements consistent with those of a typical school environment
• Ability to move about the classroom and building continuously throughout the workday
• Utilize the computer (20%) of the time and other office equipment