Special Education Teaching, SY2023-24

Instructional

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is accepting applications for special education teachers for SY2023-24. The school is seeking self-motivated, dynamic, and thoughtful individuals with proven progressive, inquiry-based teaching skills to join the faculty. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School serves PreSchool – 8th grade.

At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents ensures that a diverse group of students achieve their potential as accomplished learners, thoughtful citizens, and imaginative and inquisitive problem solvers through a demanding, inquiry-based curriculum. With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported and students are educated nationwide.

Inspired Teaching special education staff possess the beliefs, skills, and accomplishments that lead all students to achieve at high levels, particularly those students who have been identified as needing supplemental services. To establish a true professional learning community, all adults in the building are considered educators, as they all interact regularly with students. As such, a firm belief and grounding in the philosophy and values of the school's mission is crucial for every employee.

Candidates will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Willingness to embrace teaching the whole child
Potential for leadership in and beyond the classroom
Holistic, asset-based approach to problem solving
Commitment to reflective practice
Commitment to the teaching profession
Commitment to meaningfully assessing student learning
Ability to thrive in an innovative environment and interest in being part of the team that builds the systems that support a growing school

Responsibilities include:

Co-teach core content subjects with a general education teacher, including co-planning, developing differentiation strategies, and co-facilitating learning and lessons.
Facilitate specialized instruction for students with IEPs outside general education through research-based interventions and methods (training provided).
Draft IEP present levels, goals, and progress reports in SEDS.
Assist in the implementation of policies for identification, evaluation, and placement of students with disabilities.
Assist in the development of positive relationships with parents of students with disabilities.
Case manage assigned students, including parent communication, documentation, and ensuring implementation of IEPs across all classes.
Adopt a restorative justice orientation toward discipline by holding all children to high behavioral expectations in a dignified, clear way; viewing misbehavior as an opportunity for learning and forgiveness and not a transgression to be punished.
Share schoolwide responsibility for supervision by performing assigned duties punctually.
Work closely with Director of Special Education to meet all deadlines and maintain school compliance.
Other duties as assigned by Principal or Head of School.

The successful Special Education Teacher:

Demonstrates experience as an effective teacher.
Is committed to and experienced with meaningfully assessing student learning.
Has a willingness to embrace teaching the whole child.
Shows potential for leadership in and beyond the classroom.
Engages in holistic, asset-based approach to problem solving.
Has a commitment to reflective practice.
Shows a commitment to the teaching profession.
Fits with the school's organizational culture and mission.
Demonstrates the ability to thrive in an innovative environment and an interest in being part of a team that builds the systems that support a growing school.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will demonstrate knowledge and experience in special education, as well as in the field of progressive, constructivist education.

All Inspired Teachers must:

Have a demonstrated ability to implement the school's philosophy of teaching and pedagogy – and be willing and able to share their experiences, ideas, and strategies with all colleagues.
Demonstrate a deep commitment to reflective practice, an ability to give and receive feedback openly and without defensiveness, and a desire to constantly question and improve their teaching practice.
Be deeply committed to creating a school that not only provides an excellent education for the student, but that creates an open, trusting learning environment for the teachers.
Have a strong ability to persevere in the face of ongoing challenges. Teaching anywhere – but even more so in an urban setting in a growing school – is a demanding profession, regularly requiring one to go above and beyond, to solve problems quickly and in the moment, and to find the positive in difficult situations. We look for these qualities in all of our staff.
We require teachers to meet the requirements for Highly Qualified Teacher status in the District of Columbia.

Requirements include:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a related field. Master’s degree in Special Education preferred.
3 or more years of special education teaching experience or equivalent relevant work with children will be preferred.
Passing of Special Education and/or content Praxis exams.
Ability to establish strong, trusting, and authentic relationships with a wide variety of individuals, including new and experienced teachers, parents and families, and a diverse local community.
Clear, concise, and persuasive writing and speaking skills.
Integrity and a sense of humor.
Experience in experiential, exploratory, arts-integration, and/or workshop model preferred.
Experience with restorative justice and/or Responsive Classroom preferred.
Experience with LindaMood Bell, EdMark, Wilson, or Eureka preferred.