Special Education Teacher

<strong>Detroit Achievement Academy exists to holistically support the education and development of students who have the determination, drive, and skills to shape their own path of high achievement with the ultimate goal of creating civically engaged, joyful citizens who are ready to change the world.</strong>

Detroit, MI

Detroit Achievement Academy

<h2>Detroit Achievement Academy is a free public charter school currently serving kindergarten through&nbsp;eighth&nbsp;grade students.&nbsp;</h2> <p>We at Detroit Achievement Academy want to shake things up a bit. We have a grand vision for what education can look like and are excited to be creating it in the great city of Detroit. We are using the best educational model in the country, Expeditionary Learning,&nbsp;and are committed to our students, their families, and to our neighborhood. We believe that all students can achieve at high levels and that it is our responsibility to support them in an intense and holistic way. We are thrilled to be able to provide a world-class education in a world-class city.</p> <p>Detroit Achievement Academy is proudly located in northwest Detroit.&nbsp;We currently serve 225 students and will slowly grow in size each year.</p> https://www.detroitachievement.org/

keywords: position summary,reporting,communication,training,innovation,schedule,compliance,goals,values,experience and education,skills

Full Time

Overview: <strong>WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK AT DETROIT ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY:<br /></strong><br />● Being an active participant as we develop our school culture and environment<br />● Having a deep commitment to social justice and equity for all children<br />● Engaging in significant curriculum development work<br />● Working hard to provide results for our students<br />● Working with a diverse student body<br />● Welcoming visitors who are interested in our school<br />● Being challenged to examine your work in order to increase student achievement<br />● Engaging in a deep and meaningful way with the parents/guardians of all students at DAA<br />● Having extraordinarily high expectations for all students, staff, and faculty at DAA<br />● Being supported by your peers, Head of School, Executive Director, and Board<br /><strong><br /><br />POSITION​ ​OVERVIEW:​ ​SPECIAL​ ​EDUCATION​ ​TEACHER:</strong><br /><br />The​ ​Special​ ​Education​ ​teacher​ ​at​ ​Detroit​ ​Achievement​ ​Academy​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​the​ ​education​ ​of​ ​each student​ ​assigned​ ​to​ ​his​ ​or​ ​her​ ​caseload​ ​and​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​working​ ​with​ ​students,​ ​parents,​ ​other​ ​teachers and​ ​staff,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Principal​ ​towards​ ​achieving​ ​the​ ​mission​ ​and​ ​goals​ ​of​ ​Detroit​ ​Achievement​ ​Academy.​ ​The Special​ ​Education​ ​Teacher​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​ensuring​ ​all​ ​students​ ​with​ ​disabilities​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​high-quality education​ ​aligned​ ​with​ ​his/her​ ​personal​ ​goals​ ​both​ ​inside​ ​the​ ​general​ ​education​ ​classroom​ ​and​ ​through​ ​pull-out instruction.​ ​The​ ​Special​ ​Education​ ​Teacher​ ​reports​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Principal.
Responsibilities: <strong>Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment:</strong><br /><br />● Implement​ ​the​ ​principles​ ​and​ ​components​ ​of​ ​Expeditionary​ ​Learning​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Responsive​ ​Classroom model.​ ​Teachers​ ​in​ ​their​ ​first​ ​year​ ​at​ ​Detroit​ ​Achievement​ ​Academy​ ​are​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​commit​ ​to​ ​learning these​ ​models​ ​by​ ​attending​ ​various​ ​professional​ ​development​ ​meetings​ ​and​ ​conferences​ ​held throughout​ ​the​ ​summer​ ​and​ ​school​ ​year.<br />● Develop​ ​and​ ​deliver​ ​specialized​ ​instruction​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​and​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​during academic​ ​periods​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​help​ ​students​ ​meet​ ​grade-level​ ​standards​ ​and​ ​achieve​ ​personal​ ​learning goals<br />● Develop​ ​IEPs​ ​for​ ​special​ ​education​ ​students<br />● Ensure​ ​the​ ​records​ ​for​ ​each​ ​identified​ ​student​ ​are​ ​up​ ​to​ ​date​ ​and​ ​well-organized​ ​and​ ​contain<br />necessary​ ​progress​ ​notes​ ​and​ ​assessments<br />● Modify​ ​assessments​ ​and​ ​classwork​ ​for​ ​students​ ​with​ ​special​ ​needs<br />● Assess​ ​student​ ​progress​ ​against​ ​IEP​ ​and​ ​other​ ​goals​ ​and​ ​use​ ​data​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​for​ ​instruction<br />● Support​ ​students​ ​with​ ​completing​ ​portfolios​ ​and​ ​meeting​ ​passage​ ​requirements<br />● Collaborate​ ​with​ ​staff​ ​and​ ​students​ ​to​ ​implement​ ​consistent​ ​structures​ ​and​ ​develop​ ​traditions<br /><br /><br /><strong>Social​ ​Curriculum/School​ ​Culture:</strong><br /><br />● Create​ ​and​ ​maintain​ ​a​ ​physically​ ​and​ ​emotionally​ ​safe​ ​environment​ ​for​ ​students.​ ​Communicate<br />respectfully​ ​to​ ​students​ ​at​ ​all​ ​times.​ ​Model,​ ​practice​ ​, and​ ​discuss​ ​respectful,​ ​unbiased​ ​, and​ ​effective<br />communication​ ​with​ ​students.<br />● Uphold​ ​and​ ​support​ ​the​ ​school-wide​ ​discipline​ ​policies.​ ​Document​ ​serious​ ​and​ ​less​ ​serious​ ​infractions<br />to​ ​the​ ​policies​ ​and​ ​seek​ ​help​ ​and​ ​support​ ​from​ ​colleagues​ ​and​ ​administrators​ ​when​ ​disciplining​ ​concerns<br />arise.<br />● Structure​ ​an​ ​environment​ ​that​ ​is​ ​developmentally​ ​appropriate,​ ​student-centered,​ ​print-rich​, and​ ​well<br />organized.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Collaboration,​ ​Collegiality​, and​ ​Professionalism:</strong><br /><br />● Meet​ ​and​ ​plan​ ​at​ ​least​ ​weekly​ ​with​ ​teachers​ ​teaching​ ​Special​ ​Education​ ​students​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​consistency<br />of​ ​program​ ​and​ ​curriculum​ ​implementation.<br />● Seek​ ​to​ ​resolve​ ​conflicts​ ​with​ ​colleagues​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​they​ ​arise​ ​using​ ​the​ ​DAA​ ​staff​ ​norms.​ ​Seek<br />support​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Principal​ ​when​ ​needed.<br />● Be​ ​open​ ​to​ ​visits​ ​from​ ​other​ ​teachers,​ ​administrators,​ ​family​ ​members,​ ​prospective​ ​families​, and​ ​visitors<br />to​ ​the​ ​school​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​are​ ​not​ ​disruptive​ ​to​ ​student​ ​learning.​ ​Involve​ ​students​ ​in​ ​welcoming​ ​visitors and​ ​communicating​ ​about​ ​the​ ​program.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Professional​ ​Development:</strong><br /><br />● Participate​ ​in​ ​weekly​ ​Professional​ ​Development​ ​meetings​ ​and​ ​contribute​ ​to​ ​sessions​ ​by​ ​sharing​ ​ideas<br />and​ ​student​ ​work,​ ​offering​ ​feedback,​ ​and​ ​facilitating​ ​some​ ​sessions​ ​or​ ​discussions.<br />● Participate​ ​in​ ​a​ ​two-week​ ​summer​ ​professional​ ​development​ ​before​ ​students​ ​begin​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fall.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Parent​ ​Communication​ ​and​ ​Involvement:</strong><br /><br />● Assist​ ​lead​ ​teachers​ ​in​ ​conducting​ ​student-led​ ​conferences​ ​with​ ​parents​ ​3​ ​times​ ​per​ ​year​ ​for​ ​the<br />purpose​ ​of​ ​sharing​ ​assessments​ ​and​ ​student​ ​work​ ​and​ ​making​ ​recommendations.​ ​Support​ ​students​ ​in<br />sharing​ ​work​ ​with​ ​their​ ​parents.<br />● Keep​ ​parents​ ​informed​ ​about​ ​classroom​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​units​ ​of​ ​study​ ​through​ ​ongoing​ ​communication.<br />● Support​ ​parents​ ​in​ ​understanding​ ​the​ ​instructional​ ​approach​ ​at​ ​Detroit​ ​Achievement​ ​Academy​ ​through<br />regular​ ​communication.​ ​Assist​ ​with​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​facilitating​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​parent​ ​workshop​ ​per​ ​year.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Other​ ​Professional​ ​Responsibilities:</strong><br /><br />● Attend​ ​and​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​school​ ​events.​ ​Teachers​ ​will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​at​ ​least​ ​four​ ​community<br />meetings​ ​or​ ​events​ ​per​ ​year.<br />● Check​ ​voicemail​ ​and​ ​email​ ​daily​ ​and​ ​respond​ ​promptly​ ​to​ ​requests​ ​from​ ​parents,​ ​administrators​, and colleagues.<br />● Supervise​ ​students​ ​during​ ​lunch​ ​and​ ​recess​ ​times​ ​according​ ​to​ ​an​ ​agreed-upon​ ​schedule.
Requirements: <ul> <li><strong>Dedication​ ​to​ ​our​ ​mission:​​</strong> ​A​ ​steadfast​ ​belief​ ​that​ ​all​ ​students​ ​can​ ​achieve​ ​at​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​levels, regardless​ ​of​ ​demography.</li> <li><strong>Determination:​</strong> ​​A​ ​willingness​ ​to​ ​make​ ​things​ ​happen​ ​and​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​urgency​ ​around​ ​educational equity​ ​for​ ​all​ ​students.</li> <li><strong>Strong​ ​communication:​​</strong> ​The​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​communicate​ ​in​ ​a​ ​direct​ ​and​ ​sensitive​ ​fashion​ ​with​ ​students, parents,​ ​and colleagues.</li> <li><strong>Team​ ​player:​​</strong> ​A​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​work​ ​in​ ​a​ ​team-oriented​ ​environment​ ​and​ ​collaborate​ ​with​ ​colleagues.</li> <li><strong>Growth​ ​mindset:​​</strong> ​An​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​frequent​ ​feedback​ ​with​ ​humility​ ​and​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​and&nbsp;develop​ ​as​ ​a​ ​leader.</li> <li><strong>Reflective​ ​attitude:​​</strong> ​An​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​constantly​ ​reflect​ ​on​ ​student​ ​data​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​personal​ ​areas​ ​of&nbsp;strength​ ​and​ ​growth.</li> <li><strong>Flexibility:</strong>​​ ​Willingness​ ​to​ ​work​ ​in​ ​an​ ​ever-changing​ ​field​ ​and​ ​face​ ​challenges​ ​with​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​attitude</li> <li><strong>Professional​ ​integrity:​​</strong> ​A​ ​personal​ ​alignment​ ​with​ ​the​ ​values​ ​and​ ​ethical​ ​standards​ ​of​ ​Detroit&nbsp;Achievement​ ​Academy.</li> <li>Bachelor&rsquo;s​ ​degree​ ​(required),​ ​Master&rsquo;s​ ​Degree​ ​(preferred)</li> <li>At​ ​least​ ​three​ ​years​ ​prior​ ​teaching​ ​experience​ ​(required)</li> <li>Experience​ ​in​ ​an​ ​EL​ ​school​ ​or​ ​project​ ​based​ ​environment​ ​(strongly​ ​preferred)</li> <li>At​ ​least​ ​two​ ​years​ ​in​ ​a​ ​leadership​ ​position,​ ​including​ ​direct​ ​leadership/management​ ​of​ ​adults​ ​(required)</li> <li>Strong​ ​technical​ ​skills​ ​required,​ ​including​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​and​ ​comfort​ ​with​ ​Google​ ​suite​ ​of​ ​tools​ ​(e-mail,<br />calendar,​ ​Drive,​ ​etc.)</li> </ul> <br />Detroit Achievement Academy is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. Detroit Achievement Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to gender, age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or disability. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.