Special Education Teacher (ABS) 2025-26SY

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Special Education Teacher for the 2025-26 school year

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Special Education teacher will provide push-in instruction to students with a variety of disabilities in an inclusive mainstream setting. Although the job duties vary based on individual student needs, job duties will likely include:
- Develop or adapt materials and lesson plans; provide direct instruction to individuals and groups, co-teach and/or collaborate with general education teachers. Be enthusiastic about co-teaching classes with a general education teacher
- Evaluate instructional materials for appropriateness to student needs and scaffolding when appropriate and continually monitoring student performance
- Ensure compliance with special education due process including developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs in collaboration with families, students, and teachers
- Create weekly measurements of student progress and report quarterly on their movement toward achieving their IEP goals
- Facilitate regular, positive and open communication with families, caregivers and students to ensure a clear understanding of student strengths, challenges, goals, progress, and potential. Facilitate required IEP team meetings
- Regularly assess and evaluate learning based on best practice. Measure and report on student progress, and reinforce students' outstanding contributions and performance
- Maintain various required records and data according to established policies and procedures, ensuring the accurate and timely availability of such information as needed
- Participate in team meetings, committee meetings and professional development with general and special education staff as assigned. Participate in all aspects of the school community including several evening community events as assigned
- Serve on an educator-led school committee
- Knowledge of effective behavior strategies and writing behavior support plans
- Administer required Minnesota state/LJA required tests

Qualifications

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES:
- Minnesota Special Education ABS teaching licensure (required)
- Knowledge of Special Education law, governance and due process compliance
- Experience with middle school students in an urban setting
- Experience co-teaching
- Ability and desire to work on a collaborative, interdisciplinary team to support students with special needs in inclusive programming. Commitment to providing students access to LJA’s rigorous, general education curriculum.
- Timely recordkeeping and excellent organizational skills.
- Passion for supporting student development and empowerment.
- Ability to creatively and enthusiastically support the individual learning needs of a diverse special education population.
- Commitment to regular attendance and a contribution to the greater good of the LJA school community and supporting the LJA mission, principles, and framework.
- Culturally responsive teaching and communication skills, prioritizing forming positive relationships with families, students, and staff.
- Passionate about subordinating teaching to learning.
- Substantial knowledge of reading and math instructional models, curricula, and strategies.
- Substantial knowledge of social and behavioral interventions and supports.
- Crisis prevention training, experience with students who may be aggressive, verbally abusive, or have other challenging behaviors.
- Expertise with technology and computer skills, including google drive, smartboards, spedforms, iPads, and JMC.

Institution Description

LAURA JEFFREY ACADEMY is the first STEM-focused middle school in MN with a comprehensive liberal arts, gender-inclusive curriculum. Our purpose is to provide a unique and stimulating education environment where students are free – to explore their potential, discover their brilliance and develop their intellect. We are looking for educators committed to social justice and equity in learning for all students. If you are an educator who thinks out of the box and loves to collaborate with others, we would love to hear from you. We are committed to serving a diverse population of students and families.

Application Instructions/Comments

TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume to annar@laurajeffreyacademy.org