Special Education Teacher/IEP Case Manager at Maya Angelou Academy SY 23 -24

The Organization

Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed – they will thrive!

If you would like to learn more about Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation, please visit Seeforever.org.

The Touchstone

At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful, and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.

Position Overview

The Special Education program at Maya Angelou Academy (MAA) is designed to ensure that all students with special learning or emotional needs receive the level and kinds of support that will enable them to succeed in the most inclusive and non-stigmatizing manner possible. We have small teacher-student ratios, allowing for individualized attention, and special needs students are fully included in the classrooms. Other elements of our program include:

• A rapid and appropriate initial assessment
• Aggressive efforts to get IEPs and other records from each student’s previous school
• Involvement of parents and all stakeholders in IEP meetings
• A school-wide commitment to individualized education for all students so that students with IEPs do not feel stigmatized
• A collaborative approach among teachers, counselors, DYRS staff, and tutoring coordinators to meet students’ needs
• A focus on literacy and numeracy across content areas and intensive supplemental instruction
• Frequent celebrations of student success, both large and small

The Special Education teachers will be part of our Special Education team at the Maya Angelou Academy. The general functions of the Special Education teachers will be to support in content area courses and intensified reading development and math development courses to special needs students as well as the entire student body, provide content area teachers with guidance regarding appropriate accommodations, and, when appropriate, teach in some self-contained settings. Additionally, Special Education teachers at MAA will carry a caseload of no more than 10 students with IEPs. Special Education teachers will manage, update, and maintain IEPs and coordinate all IEP meetings with the scholar’s IEP team and the SPED Coordinator.

All teachers will be expected to support the school-wide goals of emphasizing literacy, helping students develop their critical thinking abilities, driving all students toward mastery and understanding, and helping students find their strengths and talents and use them to address weaknesses and overcome fears.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Working collaboratively with our general education teachers to implement IEP accommodations; modifying instructional lessons to meet a wide range of learning needs
• Collaborating with other school leaders to facilitate professional development training in special education for staff members
• Working closely with parents, school professionals, and outside service providers where necessary
• Teaching in content area classes using the co-teaching model
• Managing a caseload of no more than 10 students with an IEP (organizing all meetings, collecting data, uploading information into data systems, and maintaining and updating IEPs as needed)
• Serving as the central point of contact for the parent, student, and staff for instructionally-based issues such as:
  • Monitoring the student’s progress, attendance, and other factors affecting the student’s academic success throughout the year
  • Contacting parents and teachers to share information/progress reports
  • Coordinating/collaborating with classroom teachers, counselors, and specialists regarding the students' accommodations, program modifications, instructional supports, etc.
  • Responding to parent concerns and questions regarding the implementation of the student’s IEP and instructional program
  • Serving as an advocate and mentor for the student
• Attending SPED Team meetings and Instructional Team meetings
• Reporting information to the SPED Coordinator to ensure compliance
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or subject field (required)
• Must have or be eligible for certification by OSSE in the appropriate content area (Within one (1) year of employment)
• Experience working with incarcerated or opportunity youth (preferred)
• Familiarity with research-based instructional strategies

Site Description

The Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings is a long-term juvenile facility in Laurel, MD. It serves youth ages 13-21 and is located inside New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change.

Our mission at the Maya Angelou Academy is to provide a safe, nurturing, and mutually respectful environment that motivates and prepares each student to fulfill their academic or career potential. With the support of a wide circle of caring adults, students will develop the skills they need to make sound decisions and lead rewarding lives.

Salary and Benefits

Our salaries are comparable to those of other public schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, See Forever offers a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, student loan refinancing options, and the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

See Forever is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.