The Opportunity: PLA Special Education teachers are passionate and devoted leaders bringing creativity and rigor to our classrooms to support an improved learning experience for our scholars. Our teachers are compassionate and committed to building a caring environment that nurtures the success of our school community. As a Special Education Teacher at Phalen Leadership Academies, you will develop and provide specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. You will provide appropriate accommodations to the set curriculum in support of the success and growth of scholars; identify the individual needs of students; create a supportive and effective learning environment; and ensure that our scholars have the resources they need to meet academic expectations.
The Details
Key Deliverables:
- Develop and adapt individualized teaching methods that are suitable for each scholar
- Performs a variety of assessments and observations to determine the areas in which students may need extra or modified educational services. Assessment areas may include academic performance, behavior, social development, or physical health
- Identifies students’ needs and develops related lesson and teaching plans
- Develops individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensures each student’s activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
- Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting the required specifications of IEPs and 504 plans
- Implements IEPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, continually tracks progress, and makes modifications as necessary
- Collaborates with classroom and homeroom teachers to ensure each student’s needs are met, and plans are followed
Experience and Education Requirements:
- A passion for working with students and families in under-served communities
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Special Education from an accredited college or university, with appropriate endorsements, if applicable
- Valid State Teacher License or enrolled in a credentialing program
- Effective pedagogical skills driven by standards and data-driven assessment
- Experience tracking and using data to drive instruction
- Demonstrate organizational and technology skills to encourage scholar engagement
The Network: PLA is a transformative education nonprofit changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model. In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage), and a workforce development program (Skilled US) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students. This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities and expanded income opportunities.
The Campus:
Kids Care Elementary (KCE) is a tuition-free public charter school committed to providing a top-notch education for our scholars. We are a K-5 campus that serves about 150 scholars. Our professional and caring staff are dedicated to inspiring a love for learning in each child. We showcase our exceptional curriculum and incredible teachers, emphasizing our commitment to a supportive and inclusive environment tailored to individual needs. At KCE, our vision is to cultivate a community of learners striving for academic, social, and emotional excellence through project-based learning. Our mission is to be a model of educational excellence, empowering scholars to become independent, self-sufficient individuals. Join the KCE family, where we actively engage parents and the community to create an environment that fosters the success and responsible contribution of our scholars.
Compensation and Benefits:
PLA School Teachers receive a base salary that is competitively aligned with the market. In addition to a base salary, PLA School Teachers receive:
- Competitive Compensation
- Benefits – Healthcare, vision, and dental insurance
- Professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and being a part of professional communities within the school
- Incentive and bonus opportunities
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Special Education from an accredited college or university, with appropriate endorsements if applicable
- Valid State Teacher License or enrolled in a credentialing program
- Passion for working with students and families in under-served communities
- Effective pedagogical skills driven by standards and data-driven assessment
- Experience tracking and using data to drive instruction
- Organizational and technology skills to encourage scholar engagement
What We Do
Phalen Leadership Academies is a nonprofit network transforming public and charter schools into safe, high-performing, and inspiring places to learn, dedicated to closing achievement gaps and building brighter futures through academic excellence and innovation.
