DC Wildflower Public Charter School Special Education Teacher Washington, DC · Full time

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Working with blue montessori Teacher Leaders (TLs) and DC Wildflower's Student Support Partner (SSP), the Special Education Teacher will provide specialized instruction to children with varying disabilities, and support group and individual interventions and lessons. The teacher will be responsible for:

• writing and delivering Individual Education Plans
• participating in parent education and conferences as needed and in collaboration with TLs
• maintaining other documentation and assessments as needed
• communicating with the Teacher Leaders for scheduling student services
• collaborating with Teacher Leaders to build and sustain an inclusive school community

The Special Education Teacher will also play a critical role in the school’s Child Study (RTI) process interventions.

This position will mostly entail providing specialized instruction. However, with coaching and support, the Special Education Teacher will gain increasing responsibility for additional coordination tasks to ensure special education timeliness, compliance, and related service management. 

Essential Responsibilities 

Curriculum, Collaboration, and Classroom Management

• Implementing engaging instruction based on IEP goals and student needs. 
• Developing materials for targeted instruction and preparing the classroom environment to meet the students’ needs and interests.
• Collaborating with the general education teachers (TLs) and the SSP to coordinate push-in and pull-out services.
• Supporting the design and implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (as needed). 
• Serving on the school’s Student Support Team.
• Serving as case manager for all students with disabilities. 

IEP Meeting, Parent Education, and Conferences

• Assisting in the development of and participation in school functions, including but not limited to open houses, orientation meetings, family engagement, and school-wide activities, as needed
• Preparing documents and reports necessary to facilitate parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, Eligibility Meetings, or other meetings requested by parents or school administration.

Record-Keeping and Data Assessment

• Writing high-quality Individualized Education Plans in a timely manner. 
• Maintaining IEP compliance including all aspects in Special Programs 
• Participating in and contributing to screening, evaluation, and eligibility processes. 
• Maintaining student records, reports, evaluations, inventories, and tests.
• Completing all progress monitoring and benchmark assessments for students on their caseload on time as scheduled. This includes ensuring students receive appropriate testing accommodations and consistent data collection for Child Study (RTI) and IEPs. 
• Participating in all assessment-related training.
• Preparing required student progress reports and assessment reports.

What You Bring

• A deep commitment to authentic Montessori - Your expertise will position you to be a highly effective facilitator of children’s learning and to extend the values of Montessori to include the adults within your school community. A commitment to learn and practice Montessori principles and values.
• Entrepreneurial mindset - You are flexible, open-minded, see opportunity in obstacles, and are energized by using creativity and resourcefulness to anticipate challenges and create solutions to problems. 
• Commitment to serving diverse and multifaceted communities - You are eager to increase access to Montessori to racially and socioeconomically diverse communities and are deeply committed to supporting the development of intersectional communities. You understand the role race, along with ethnicity, gender/gender identity and sexual orientation, play in contributing to persistent inequity. You have engaged in culturally responsive and anti-racist practices with the students and families you serve. 
• Generosity of spirit - You build authentic relationships in diverse settings, practice gratitude, and lead with love. You seek advice openly and are comfortable working in a non-hierarchical organization. 
• Willingness to work hard - You have the aptitude, stamina, time, and appetite to raise yourself to the challenge of working at a start-up school. You will not be alone, but you will be busy. 
• A desire to learn and grow - You are eager to stretch beyond your current experience, to develop new skills and expertise and to more deeply explore your purpose and potential. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience supporting with children with moderate to severe disabilities in an inclusive classroom learning environment, preferably in a public or urban setting
• Have experience working with early childhood and familiar with developmental trajectories of young learners, ages 3-6.
• Have experience collaborating with general education teachers and related service providers to develop and implement specialized instruction and interventions
• Have experience working with special needs learners in one or more of the following areas: Autism, Speech Language Delay, Dyslexia, and/or Developmental Delay. 
• Demonstrate a willingness to integrate data and assessment with the traditional Montessori curriculum in order to close the achievement gap for our students
• Have a firm commitment to upholding the school’s mission
• Hold a valid state-issued Special Education teaching license for early childhood (ideally cross-categorical) or meet eligibility, including undergraduate studies in Special Education and passing scores on Praxis I & II