Middle School Special Education Life Skills Teacher

$53,000 - $100,000/Yr

Lead Public Schools - Nashville, TN

Full-time - Entry Level

Nashville, TN

Educational Services

About the position

As a Middle School Special Education Life Skills Teacher at LEAD Public Schools, you will play a crucial role in supporting students with exceptional needs. This position is designed for passionate educators who are committed to advocating for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and ensuring that their unique needs are met. You will work collaboratively with your colleagues and administration to create an inclusive learning environment that promotes academic growth and personal development for all students. Your responsibilities will include designing and implementing data-driven lesson plans that cater to students with cognitive and developmental delays, as well as developing and maintaining IEPs that align with federal, state, and local regulations. In this role, you will focus on maximizing student independence in various settings, supporting the development of vocational skills, and preparing students for life after high school. You will also be responsible for collecting and analyzing data on student progress, ensuring that instructional strategies are effective and tailored to meet individual needs. The ideal candidate will be flexible, coachable, and dedicated to continuous improvement in their teaching practice. You will also supervise education assistants and collaborate with general education teachers to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education. At LEAD Public Schools, we believe in the potential of every student and strive to create an environment where they can thrive academically and socially. Our teachers are expected to persevere through challenges, set high expectations for their students, and work diligently to help them achieve their goals. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students with exceptional needs, we encourage you to apply and join our team.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data-driven lesson plans to support students with cognitive and developmental delays.
• Develop individualized education programs (IEPs) for students.
• Maintain special education files, both paper and electronic, as directed by federal, state, and local practices.
• Collect data on individual student skills to determine the effectiveness of programming and measure progress toward IEP goals.
• Focus on functional curriculum and daily living skills as appropriate.
• Maximize student independence across all natural settings.
• Support students in developing vocational skills for better preparation for the workforce and independent living after high school.
• Work as a team member and advocate for students to gain exposure to general education peers and settings as appropriate.
• Physically support students' health and wellness needs (e.g., toileting, diapering, etc.).
• Plan effective instructional and/or behavioral strategies for adapting and modifying general curriculum to ensure all students access academic content.
• Direct and supervise education assistants to provide an effective classroom program and address individual student needs.
• Support other classroom teachers in implementing established curriculum and/or individual student plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Valid Tennessee teaching license with the appropriate content endorsement to teach SPED, or a valid out-of-state license that can be transferred to Tennessee within 90 days of employment, or evidence of being on track to complete the necessary steps towards certification in Tennessee.
• Minimum of two years teaching experience preferred, but not required.
• Previous experience with diverse student populations or in an urban setting preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with students who have IEPs.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to adapt teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $53,000 to $100,000 annually.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Supportive work environment focused on student success.