Special Education Teacher

A successful Digital Pioneers Academy Special Education Teacher will ensure that all DPA scholars meet the highest academic and behavior standards. We are committed to creating a community where every scholar and adult feels known, loved and respected. Teachers’ investment in building culture and character will prepare scholars to lead productive lives meeting the demands of the post-secondary arena and job market.

Teachers at DPA believe that all scholars can achieve at high levels. Teachers will hold primary responsibility for implementation of Digital Pioneers Academy's curriculum, creating corresponding curricular experiences, and ensuring the success of its scholars. Teachers will provide rigorous educational experiences to propel scholar intellectual growth and mastery of learning standards. 

At DPA, we operate as a team with one mission. We attract leaders in teaching with a successful track record of developing authentic relationships with scholars, families and professional peers. With a collective mission to develop the next generation of innovators, our teachers will develop ours scholars to not only consume, but create the digital economy.

Responsibilities

Our special education teachers are results oriented and strive to improve the minds and lives of scholars in and out of the classroom:

• Developing strong relationships with parents and scholars, creating investment in school culture and academics

• Implementing curricula and activities to meet academic standards 

• Participate in collaborative content development, coursework and activities to ensure that accommodations are met in inclusive settings

• Oversee the drafting, implementation, and maintenance of IEPs and 504 plans

• Develop intervention plans with classroom teachers to ensure that student learning goals are clear and measurable and then track student success in meeting these goals

• Differentiate methodology to accommodate learning differences

• Effectively use technology in teaching and learning

• Infuse and encourage student demonstration of creative thinking, problem solving, critical thinking, scholarly writing, constructive dialog, cultural competence, strong decision making and creative solutions

• Designing and modify assessments that measure progress towards academic standards

• Using assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices

• Driving academic outcomes by analyzing scholar work and data, and implementing high leverage instructional moves to ensure dramatic gains for all scholars

• Participating in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions

• Collaborating with partner lead teacher(s) to create consistent structures and systems for your shared cohort of scholars

• Co-lead child study team meetings

• Teach basic academic and life processes skills

• Serving as an advisor to a small group of scholars

Skills and Experience

• Effective communication with scholars, families, and colleagues

• Cultivate a classroom environment in which scholars express a love for learning, Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science

• Motivate scholars to think critically and take ownership over their own learning

• Orchestrate innovative problem solving through multiple representations, meaningful mathematical discourse, and productive struggle

• Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for scholar behavior

• Be accountable for scholars’ mastery of academic standards

• Collaborate with colleagues and school leaders to receive targeted, in-the-moment feedback on instruction

• Evidence of self-motivation, diligence and willingness to be a team player

• Strong interpersonal skills and high moral character

• Proven track-record of high achievement in the classroom 

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years teaching experience in an urban public or charter school setting

• Experience working with students who have disabilities (cognitive, emotional or physical)

• Bachelor's degree with an outstanding record of academic achievement and leadership is required; Master’s degree is preferred

• Belief in and alignment with Digital Pioneers Academy’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable

Compensation & Benefits

Digital Pioneers Academy offers a highly competitive salary based on education and experience. Teachers generally make between $60,000 and $85,000 per year. Digital Pioneers also offers an excellent and comprehensive benefits package for all full-time staff.