Secondary Special Education Teacher

Do you see teaching as a platform to connect with students to equip them with the social, emotional, and academic skills to not just survive in life, but to thrive? Are you passionate about righting the educational inequities for students in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems? Does teaching in a smaller school, that works for peace and justice, where all students’ stories are known and honored sound appealing to you? Then C.B. Community Schools, Philadelphia may be your next school home.

The C.B. Community School, Philadelphia is seeking an extraordinary Secondary Special Education Teacher to work in our vibrant, innovative school. We are a private school whose mission is to serve students in the child welfare system who are off track to graduating timely. Our school team is comprised of experienced and dedicated professionals working in an environment that blends strong academics with social and emotional supports to inspire critical and creative thinking, confidence, and a resilient community of learners. Our students are over-age for grade level, under-credited, and at high risk of dropping out. CBCS-P is a "second chance" school that serves 65 students who can earn their high school diplomas and reach their fullest potential through a flexible, competency-based curriculum.

We are looking for an experienced Secondary Special Education Teacher who has a passion to teach and work with our students who benefit from caring, trauma-informed school team members who maintain a rigorous and relevant bar for learning. The ideal candidate can create a space where students engage in deep thinking about their strengths and desires to help them overcome obstacles and find pathways to their futures.

Responsibilities:

• Create and implement individual student learning plans including special education plans (IEPs and 504s). Serve as a case manager and advocate for 15-20 students. The role of IEP case manager requires (1) preparing and leading IEP meetings; (2) managing IEP caseload by scheduling and updating IEP documentation annually or as needed to maintain compliance; (3) facilitating communication between the student, his or her caregivers, other teachers, and the student support team; and (4) monitoring student attendance, academic progress and overall student wellness.
• Support and/or teach content course(s) in Language Arts and/or Math.
• Create and maintain accurate record-keeping of student academic progress and attendance on all data systems, e.g., PowerSchool, Schoology, IEP Writer, etc.
• Collaborate with other teaching staff to develop interdisciplinary and project-based curricula and alternative assessments such as portfolios and exhibitions.
• Participate in professional development and success of Student Orientation, Assessment Days, Portfolio Reviews, and other community and all-school events.
• Participate in weekly program-specific and all-school meetings.
• Participate in all professional development and curriculum planning activities.
• Perform other related duties to assure smooth school functioning.

Qualifications

Required: A successful candidate will …

• Hold a bachelor’s degree and a PA certification as a secondary special education teacher or have the education and experience to qualify for a Pennsylvania Private School Certification.
• Possess the core competencies of excellent teaching including charisma, compassion, and intellectual curiosity
• Be able to interact with traumatized young people in a respectful and caring manner.
• Be student/learning-centered and committed to coaching students towards success, devoting additional time to students if necessary.
• Have prior work or volunteer experience with non-traditional students in an alternative setting.
• Have experience with any of the following: competency-based education; project-based learning, portfolio assessment, cooperative group work, integration of technology and cross-disciplinary learning, expeditionary learning, alternative assessments, and integrating school to career experiences into the curriculum.
• A strong commitment to supporting reading, writing, and problem solving across the curriculum.

Preferred:

• Additional certification in the area(s) of secondary language arts and/or math, and/or reading specialist

C.B. Community Schools in accordance with its non-discrimination and zero-tolerance policies does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment, and educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, retaliation, sexual orientation, genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of intimidation, threat, coercion and/or harassment that insults the dignity of others and interferes with their freedom to learn or work.

COVID-19 precautions

• Personal protective equipment provided or required
• Plastic shield at work stations
• Temperature screenings
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Virtual meetings
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place

All team members and students are required to wear a mask or face shield. Air purifiers are in every room. Hands-free sinks and hand sanitizing stations are available. Outdoor teaching/meeting space.