Special Education Teacher at Propel Montour Middle School

Title: Special Education Teacher

Location (Propel Montour Middle School, McKees Rocks PA)

Propel seeks a Special Education Teacher for its Propel Montour School. This position is based at the Propel Montour Middle School and is available immediately.

Propel schools operate with an extended school year to increase learning time and opportunities for our scholars. We have 190 instructional days (10 more than traditional school districts) and 30 professional development days to better support our teachers and staff for a total of 220 work days annually. 

• Compensation: Propel provides a competitive salary for teachers. Based on relevant prior work experience, our salary range for this role is $49,000 – $98,500. 
• Relocation Allowance: A relocation allowance for new hires moving to the area from 60 miles away or further. 
• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options at a low cost for individual employees and families. 
• Retirement: New hires participate in a 403(b); Propel contributes 5% automatically and matches up to 4%. This increases after 5 years. 
• Paid Leave: In addition to 2 paid Wellness Days annually, all teachers receive 5 sick days and 10 Personal Days
• Tuition Assistance: Reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually upon completion of course and receipt of grades for coursework that meets our eligibility requirements. 
• Wellness Benefit: Reimbursement of $20 per month for wellness activities including Gym Memberships, health programs, etc. Additionally, staff have the ability to earn up to $300 for participation in a Wellness Program each year.
• Professional Development: At Propel, we believe in supporting teacher growth and provide substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support for teachers, including an extensive onboarding process called Induction for new teachers with on-going annual support during the school year called Immersion. All teachers receive 11.5 network-wide Professional Development days annually in addition to school-specific Professional Development.
• Leadership & Career Development: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Propel, both in and outside of the classroom. Staff have the opportunity to apply for Leadership Pathways as content, grade level or other school-based support roles which allow for experience in many different areas including Content, Wellness, Technology and more.

Job Summary: 

This Special Education Teacher position is accountable to collaborate with administrators and staff in planning for and leading special education students to learning success. This position will be accountable for developing, modifying, providing and assessing specialized instruction based on the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Design coherent instruction using prescribed unit, lesson and co-teaching structures that align with state standards and emerging best practices.
2. Develop and continually update learning resources and actively participate in professional development.
3. Create an instructional environment characterized by respect and rapport that promotes a culture of learning.
4. Use a variety of instructional strategies that engage students in age-appropriate learning, e.g., computer-assisted, cooperative learning, and various student-centered approaches.
5. Manage student behavior and classroom procedures effectively which promotes a safe learning environment.
6. Assess student learning using formal and informal assessment techniques and utilize that information to drive instruction.
7. Develop, Implement, progress monitor and coordinate with relevant school personnel the delivery of special education supports and services in each student’s IEP. 
8. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and report student progress in accordance with federal, state and school policies and procedures.
9. Prepare and achieve annual performance expectations as prescribed or approved by administration.
10. Communicate with families on a regular basis and reply to family initiated communication in a timely manner.
11. Maximize academic access, expectations and learning. 

Essential Mindsets 

• Own It. Our teachers are instructional experts who hold high expectations for themselves and their scholars. We work hard, set goals, and take responsibility for our scholars learning. 
• Walk Through the Door. Our teachers are professional with their scholars, families, and colleagues. We show up on time with a positive mindset and never give up on what’s possible for our scholars. 
• Look in the Mirror. Our teachers value feedback and work to continuously improve for our scholars. Our staff is accountable, dedicated and honest. 
• Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated. Our teachers are culturally competent. In all interactions they are courteous, engaged and empathetic. 
• Do Your Part. Our teachers are relationship builders. We make connections with our scholars, our families, our colleagues and our community and realize that education is a team effort. 

Why Work at Propel – Special Education 

Propel Schools provide a full continuum of support and services to each and every scholar identified in need of Special Education so each scholar is college and career ready and able to achieve a level of competence, independence, self advocacy and productivity based on their own unique abilities. We have School Leaders, Directors, Coordinators, educators and support staff who work together to support each other in the service of scholar learning 

All students receiving special education services are general education students who: 

• Receive collaborative instruction in the least restrictive environment. 
• Have opportunities for specially designed instruction to close the opportunity gap for each student as part of each school’s annual plan. 
• Have access to high-quality, rigorous, individualized instruction delivered by teams that receive collaborative professional development. 
• Develop and demonstrate practices that embrace the diversity brought to the classroom by each scholar are provided service in compliance with the intent of IDIEA 2004.

Qualifications:

1. Valid PA certification in Special Education PK-12, 9-12 or N-12, depending on instruction of grade level. 
2. Experience working with the special education school age population preferred
3. Knowledge of Special Education principles, laws, assessment practices etc. as well as proven methods of maximizing the educational experience of students with special needs
4. Strong instructional and classroom management skills.
5. High level of personal organization and planning
6. Ability to develop rigorous lesson plans and assessments
7. Deep content area knowledge
8. Strong communication and relationship building skills
9. Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development
10. Ability to utilize data to differentiate instruction
11. A commitment to the Promising Principles of Propel
12. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, high degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness with the ability to reflect and adapt to diverse environments.
13. Skilled in the use of Google Suite and willingness to experiment and work with new technologies.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to walk around the classroom at least 75% of the time while engaging with scholars.
• The person in this position constantly operates a computer and other technology in the classroom to support instruction.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with various internal and external stakeholders regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• When deemed age and/or developmentally appropriate, assist students in daily personal tasks (i.e.-tying shoes, assisting with coats, escorting to busses, and etc.)

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Organizational Overview

Propel Schools is the largest network of public charter schools in Allegheny County consisting of 13 schools and approximately 4,000 scholars. Our mission is to provide high-quality schools to underserved communities. Each of our schools provide a rigorous academic environment and small class sizes where educators focus on providing each scholar with support and individualized attention. With one of the top starting teacher salaries in Allegheny County, a customizable benefits package and extraordinary career and professional development opportunities, Propel Schools is one of the area’s premier education organizations. 

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