Middle School Special Education Teacher- 6th-8th Grade- 2026/2027 SY

LEAP Academy University Charter School; Camden (NJ); On-site; USD 49,500 - 60,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical, dental, vision

NJ Pension (TPAF)

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

LEAP Academy University Charter School seeks an experienced Special Education Teacher to ensure students meet IEP goals and demonstrate growth in core subjects.

The role emphasizes data-driven instruction, inclusive practices, and collaboration with school leaders to analyze progress and inform instruction. Ten-month contract with full benefits and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• NJ state certification or reciprocity eligibility with out-of-state certificate.
• Experience with special education population in urban settings.
• Experience using data-driven instruction to improve student gains.

Responsibilities

• Design ambitious assignments, learning goals, and assessments aligned to IEP goals.
• Assess students’ strengths and needs to tailor instruction for diverse learners.
• Create engaging learning environments with effective grouping and resources.
• Analyze assessment data with leaders to inform instruction and real-world applications.
• Promote student ownership of learning and strong classroom routines.

Skills

IEP data collection

Data-driven instruction

Urban classroom experience

Classroom management

Differentiated instruction

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

IEP Toolkit

Job description

POSITION

Special Education Teacher

JOB FUNCTION

LEAP Academy University Charter School is seeking an experienced, highly qualified, passionate and dedicated Special Education Teacher. Special Education Teachers ensure that students meet academic success in their classrooms as measured by achievement on Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and student grades.

The Special Education Teacher works in an inclusive classroom style ensuring that LEAP meets and/or exceeds the academic indicators found within the NJ Charter School Performance Framework.

Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree required; Master\'s degree preferred
• Required NJ state teacher certification (New Jersey Standard Certificate, Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) or be eligible for reciprocity with an out-of-state certificate)
• Experience working directly with special education population in an urban classroom setting
• Documented experience using data-driven instruction to achieve significant student gains
• Strong working knowledge of completing and utilizing the IEP Data Collection Toolkit

Reports To

School Principal

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Design ambitious assignments, learning goals, outcomes, and assessments that require exemplary work from every student; ensuring skill and knowledge is demonstrated from every content lesson.
• Ability to identify and assess students\' strengths, needs, and growth of learning goals and outcomes for diverse academic needs including students with disabilities, English language learners, and students who are academically behind.
• Ability to create a learning environment in which the activities, materials, resources, and grouping strategies maximize the teacher-student engagement.
• Work closely with school leaders to analyze student assessment data to measure progress and use data to inform instruction through "real world" applications.
• Ability to create a learning environment where all students demonstrate thorough understanding of content through multiple representations and can apply strategies for solving problems.
• Establish a culture where students learn to take initiative of their own learning discipline.
• Has proven positive classroom management techniques that encourage an overall climate that feels safe and is focused on learning and the respectful exchange of ideas: providing procedures and routines for handling disruptions, proactivity identifying and addressing potential student misbehavior, showing appreciation for each child as an individual.
• Ability to promote active participation of all students that prompts thoughtful responses that demonstration critical thinking and understanding.
• Ability to integrate new knowledge through the encouragement of student engagement within groups; assessing and re-grouping as students are mastering each level.
• Ability to incorporate assessments into effective student feedback; helping students measure their own performance.
• Communicates data and student learning goals and outcomes to students and parents at frequent intervals; building strong home-school relationships.
• Maintains non-instructional records (e.g., attendance, grading, discipline, schedules).
• Committed to ongoing professional development; while modeling, implementing, and supporting initiatives and best practices among colleagues.
• A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Chief Academic Officer.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Ten-month contracted position per negotiated CBA.

EVALUATION

According to state statute and rule and board policy.

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage, including spouse, child and family coverage
• Mandatory enrollment in NJ Pension (TPAF)
• Optional pre-tax benefits available, including flexible spending accounts for childcare, healthcare and transportation

SALARY GRADE/RANGE

Starting at $55,000

STATUS

Exempt