Special Education Teacher (SY 2018-2019)

Company Description

The Phoenix Academy Network currently operates three high schools in Massachusetts - one in Chelsea, one in Lawrence and one in Springfield - with plans to open additional schools in the coming years. The Phoenix Network is the only network of schools in Massachusetts that operates both charter and traditional, in-district schools. We are at the forefront of education, particularly alternative education, in Massachusetts.

The mission of all Phoenix schools is to challenge teenagers with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Talented students who have not succeeded in other schools will have the support, resources and training needed at Phoenix to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal. We believe in the capacity of our students to regain control of their academic future and recast themselves as strong, independent and self-sufficient adults.

Job Description

Philosophy

Phoenix Charter Academy's mission is to challenge young people in our area with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Phoenix scholars will have the support, resources and training needed to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix Charter Academy is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal.

Phoenix schools challenge resilient, disconnected young people with rigorous academics and relentless supports, so they take ownership of their futures and succeed in high school, college, and as self-sufficient adults.

Role Summary:

Phoenix teachers do more than simply teach academic lessons; they serve integral roles as advisers and mentors for scholars. Phoenix teachers are responsible for preparing and delivering rigorous, high-quality instruction in their assigned content areas. They provide relentless support to benefit the socio-emotional needs of scholars, modeling and promoting the Phoenix mission by maintaining high expectations for scholars throughout their academic careers and performing additional duties - as necessary - in the fight for equity for the scholars and communities they serve.

Commitments

All staff seek – through formal and informal feedback – to dramatically improve our own progress and that of our scholars.  

Qualities of a Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering Belief in Phoenix Scholars - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of what can seem like insurmountable barriers and societal constraints.

• Ability to Put Scholars First - Phoenix staff go above and beyond to ensure mastery of the skills and development of positive self-identity that will ensure success for college, careers and beyond.  Phoenix staff find every opportunity to engage in teaching and learning with scholars, using conflict to build supportive relationships with scholars and never taking things personally.

• Eager to Learn Under Pressure - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Humility - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others.  They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” from others, and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Experience with Low Income Communities -  Staff have the proven ability to work across cultures and experience serving low-income communities and/or academically-disconnected adolescents.  

• Ability to Find Inspiration In the Small Things - In the face of challenge and hard work,  Phoenix staff must have the ability to find humor, inspiration, success and joy in the day to day interactions with scholars and the larger Phoenix Community.

• Personal Commitment to Cultural Proficiency and Ongoing Development - Phoenix staff are ongoing learners about diversity, equity and inclusion and seek to understand the ways that their self-identity and experiences impacts and interacts with their daily work, colleagues and scholars.

Specific Responsibilities

Basic Academic Support and Curricular Duties

• Teach 1-3 Academic Support classes depending on need

• Oversee the teaching of Academic Support classes taught by Academic Support Specialist, manage curriculum and oversee methodologies of teacher

• Create and directly manage the creation of a vocational skills class that includes the practice of interpersonal skills (as regulated by IEPs) to begin in the fall of 2017

• Coordinate all in-class supports for scholars with IEPs, work with manager of PUFP to ensure all push-in supports are present in both long and short block courses

• Train teachers and Fellows on the following during Teacher Institute in August of 2017: modification of grades, summary reports of IEPs, differentiation based on scholar need, teacher accountability for IEP/504/IST processes, proper and improper “push-in” support

• Educate all necessary staff on specific needs of each scholar on caseload and plan necessary interventions (both academic and behavioral); oversee the implementations of interventions, and aid principal in holding teachers accountable

• Train Fellows on effective methods of “push-in” support; help manager of Fellows to maintain proper “push-in” support; train teachers and Fellows on this as needed

• Actively participate in the data cycles process as a way to improve instruction and scholar learning

• Participate in mid-year and end of year formal evaluations with Department Chair, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Head of School

Basic Academic Support Administrative Duties

• Write all IEPs, 504s and attend all necessary meetings; maintain records of all meetings, meeting invites and other staff responsibilities; coordinate and invite necessary staff outside of Academic Support Office

• Track all scholars on caseload throughout each quarter in terms of discipline and grades: be knowledgeable of failing grades for each scholar on caseload, receive progress reports for scholars on caseload, reach out to parents/adult supporters for these scholars after each progress report

• Observe each teacher quarterly to ensure all teachers are accommodating needs of all scholars; give teachers timely and prompt feedback; report failures and successes of teachers to principal and direct supervisor

• Create and present a quarterly “State of Academic Support” address to all teachers at PD; this should include data on all scholars in caseload in terms of grades, discipline and attendance; this should also include any new interventions that are needed and training around these as needed

• Keep Phoenix compliant with all DESE regulations and SPED law; teach and coach Academic Support teacher of all law and regulations

• Maintain vision and timeline for growth of department as related to replication and flagship school development

• Attend all Instructional Leadership Team meetings and maintain a strong voice and presence to uphold mission of group

• Lead and manage IKT process to ensure proper assessment and intervention for struggling scholars

Basic Scholar Support Duties

• Continue to work with SST to ensure alternative disciplinary methods are being used when necessary; oversee and direct creation of basic behavioral intervention plans

• Communicate weekly with Student Support Team about scholars of concern; meet with the Director of School Culture weekly and separately of scholar Support Team

• Work shifts in the SSC and facilitate all necessary follow-up

**It is understood that this Job Description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a complete and total description of each and every duty and responsibility. As such, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

It is also understood that the Network retains the right to modify this Job Description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**

We seek a diverse workforce. Phoenix Charter Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to providing equal opportunity to staff and applicants in all areas of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other area protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Candidates with Massachusetts licensure and/or master’s degree in Special Education highly preferred.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts curriculum and requirements for Special Education highly preferred.
• 1 Year of direct student-serving (teaching, tutoring, academic support, etc.) experience preferred.
• Bilingual/Multilingual (especially Spanish-speaking) candidates highly encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

We seek a diverse workforce. Phoenix Academy Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Equal Opportunity Service Location. As an Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Location, the Phoenix Academy Network is committed to providing equal opportunity to staff, AmeriCorps members, and applicants in all areas of employment and service without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other area protected by federal, state or local law. The Phoenix Academy Network is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's service, employment, or candidacy.

The Phoenix Academy Network provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities during the interview process and employment. Should you need an accommodation, please let us know at your earliest convenience so that we can make arrangements before your interview.

Apply Now!

Direct Link:

https://phoenixcharter.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=234

Who Are We?:

http://phoenixcharteracademy.org/our-academies/phoenix-charter-academy-springfield/

Additional Opportunities:
http://phoenixcharteracademy.org/careers/