Special Education Co-Teacher (Elementary) SY24-25

Position: Special Education Co-Teacher (Elementary)

Reports to: Principal and Assistant Principal

Who We Are….

Our mission is to provide an exemplary educational program that includes all students. Our developmentally appropriate, student and family-centered educational approach nurtures students to expand their developmental skills, in order to build a foundation for life-long learning. Our Core Values are:

• Responsibility

• Engagement

• Acceptance

• Creativity

• Honesty

We utilize the Universal Design for Learning Framework as the foundation for building student agency and  framing the essential work needed to meet our mission and organization goals. 

Who Are We Looking For?

We are seeking passionate educators to build an inclusive Pk-5 school community. We are seeking individuals who are committed to providing high-quality, universally designed instruction, and who are committed to learning about and implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies for our diverse student community.  We are seeking individuals that recognize that they are in a position of public trust and are held to a high standard of personal and professional conduct.  If you are a dedicated educator who is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and respect, we invite you to join our team. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students and build a brighter future for our community.

Our Graduate Profile:  

A Bridges “Graduate”

• Is a unique and independent individual who is prepared to pave their own path.
• Self advocates through their preferred communication modalities.
• Welcomes diversity with inclusion, openness, acceptance, and respect for others.
• Demonstrates empathy and a desire to help and support others in need.
• Perseveres in the face of challenges to meet their individual academic, social and extra curricular goals. 
• Is prepared for next steps after leaving Bridges Public Charter School.

As a Special Education Co-Teacher  you will be responsible for:

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Creating challenging,  engaging, and universally designed lessons that support learner variability.  
• Using the UDL Framework to design and implement curriculum standards-based units that include differentiated instruction.
• Providing high quality direct specialized instruction to students according to students’ IEPs/504 plans.
• Developing IEPs/504 plans that are strength-based as well as child and family centered for overall educational improvement.
• Planning and implementing specialized instruction services using the school's curriculum (i.e. High Reach, Everyday Math, and Handwriting without Tears, Readers and Writers Workshop, Math in Focus, FOSS, Social Studies Alive, and Second Step). Ensure the program of instruction meets the individual students' goals and objectives on their IEP/504 plans and is aligned with Common Core Standards.
• Collaborating with classroom teacher to implement student’s IEP/504 plan. This includes planning for: classroom environment, adapting and modifying curriculum, managing classroom behaviors, and connecting with parents and family members.
• Modifying and administering classroom-based and school-wide assessments to document student's progress.
• Developing a system to regularly collect all specialized instruction data towards IEP/504 plan goals.
• Writing quarterly progress reports (IEP progress reports and curriculum progress reports).
• Collaborating with related service providers, Special Education Coordinator, Assistant Director of Student Support Services, curriculum coordinator, ELL teacher, and students’ parents to plan for student needs and to ensure skills are generalized across settings.
• Facilitate a collaborative relationship with classroom teachers, assistant teachers, and dedicated aides to support students’ needs and ensure students’ IEPs are being implemented with fidelity.
• Implementing and maintaining students’ Functional Communication Protocols and Behavioral Intervention Protocols to respond to students' behavior appropriately and successfully.
• Participating in eligibility and annual IEP/504 plan meetings by presenting information, completing essential paperwork, and assisting with note taking.
• Managing a detailed log of services provided and services missed due to student or teacher absences.
• Writing and modifying lesson plans outlining scope of work for specializing instruction for students with disabilities and submitting lesson plans on a regular basis.
• Participating in parent teacher conferences
• Co-facilitating 2 parent events.
• Collaborating with curriculum coaches to plan orientation and professional development sessions.
• Conducting regular summative and formative assessments to determine student progress.
• Receiving EasyIEP training and serving as a resource to others using EasyIEP.
• Maintaining specialized instruction supplies
• Support the creation of a classroom culture and environment that develops and nurtures the emotional, cognitive and social abilities of the students.
• Engaging parents and families in their student's learning and acting as an ambassador for the school in the community. Provide families with resources to support their child at home and in the community.
• Other duties as assigned

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhering to the 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. work day
• Regularly attends work and adheres to all attendance policies.
• Be on time for classes, duties, team meetings and professional development activities. Communicate about and plan for absences in advance with teaching teams and the Principal.
• Participate in weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings.
• Contribute to PLC sessions by being prepared to share data,  ideas, student work,  materials, feedback, facilitating  sessions and/or discussions.
• Participate in a Summer Professional Development. Summer Professional Development will be two weeks in August before students return.
• Seek out additional opportunities for professional development that will lead to achieving personal and school-wide professional development goals.
• Reading provided school information  and adhering to all deadlines.
• Respond to all emails within 24 hours or the next business day. 
• Other professional duties as assigned.   

SCHOOL CULTURE 

• Implementation of our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program.
• Create and sponsor an inclusive and age appropriate Club for the school year.
• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. 
• Communicate respectfully to students, staff and families at all times. 
• Model, practice and discuss respectful, unbiased and effective communication with students.
• Other school culture expectations as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Have a dual Masters Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education; a Masters Degree and certification in Special Education; a Bachelor's Degree and certification in Special Education; or a BA and passed the Praxis SPED exams. BA and experience in special education.
• 1-2 years of  teaching experience in an urban school setting (preferred).
• Have knowledge of pedagogy and experience teaching in a constructivist way.  
• COVID-19 vaccine preferred, not required.
• A track record of being a team player and community minded.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary range: $57,500-$88,500

View Teacher Pay Scale Here

Salary is based on educational level, certification(s), and years of experience.  The successful candidate will be contracted yearly.  Employment will be renewed according to evaluations and staff interest. Child care and health savings plans, pre-tax deduction for Metro, bike racks and regular staff engagement and wellness activities. Staff lounge and lactation room for nursing mothers. Health benefits (medical & dental), disability insurance, and a retirement plan: 401-(k) with a 4% match or the continuation of the DCPS retirement plan.

To ensure safety for all students, all staff members may be fingerprinted. Background checks will be conducted on all school staff prior to their service as employees.