Job Description

The Autism Special Education Classroom Teacher is passionate about assisting in the development of individual and small group instruction to meet the unique needs of Autistic students. The Special Education Autism Classroom Teacher holds primary responsibility for providing academic services and collaborating with related service providers for students who require a specialized self-contained program to thrive academically, behaviorally, and socially.

** Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
The Autism Special Education Classroom Teacher will:

• Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students, both in and out of school
• Show unwavering commitment to urban youth with disabilities achieving greatness
• Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students are continuously progressing towards their IEP goals
• Design and implement curricula and activities that meet the needs of the students in the special education program and to meet individualized academic standards
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices
• Provide individualized and consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the individual behavior plans and goals for each student
• Be accountable for students' mastery of goals as outlined in their Individualized Education Programs
• Share responsibility for school-wide activities
• Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities
• Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral needs
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
• Engage families in their children's education through frequent contact
• Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings
• Participate in an annual three-week staff orientation and training
• Mentor and engage the classroom paraprofessional(s) in instructional practice and professional development
• Include the classroom paraprofessional(s) in daily classroom activities to help students meet academic standards
• Implement and enhance the school’s systems and culture
• Build professional relationships and collaborate with the Child Study Team Supervisor, members of the Child Study Team, Principal, Dean of Students, Program Director, Case Manager, and other school staff to maximize the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students’ development
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Qualifications

• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
• Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing special education
• Experience working with students on the Autism Spectrum
• Effective problem-solving, human relations, and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills; extremely careful attention to detail and follow-through
• Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable
• Experience working with and in urban schools is highly preferred
• Master’s degree preferred
• Valid Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification required

Additional Information

Our people are what makes us Uncommon. We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise. Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role based in Newark is between $59,000 to $74,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, certifications, tenure with Uncommon Schools, and work location. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges. Please note: ranges may differ for staff who work from a location other than Newark.

Benefits: We offer comprehensive, flexible, and competitive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.