High School Special Education Push-in Teacher - English OR Math (2021-2022)

Salary: $40,000-$60,000

School Overview

Founded by seven community members in 2014, Jefferson RISE Charter School will have 740 students in grades 6-12 for the 2021-2022 school year. Located in Harvey, Louisiana, we serve a diverse group of students from the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, with a student body that is 52% Black/African American, 30% White, 16% Hispanic, and 2% Asian and where 92% of students qualify as economically disadvantaged. 

We believe in educating the whole child, supporting both an academic foundation as well as building students’ social-emotional skills and readiness for long-term college and career success. Our model includes:

• High-Quality Academic Program: With a longer school day and school, one-on-one tutoring, intervention, one-to-one devices, and a rigorous curriculum, our academics prepare our students for college.

• Social-Emotional Learning: Everything we do supports students to develop and live our values of Character, Respect, Integrity, Self-Discipline, and Excellence. 

• Student Life and Career Readiness: Beyond our core academic program, we provide enrichment opportunities and electives, skill blocks, and community circles to support students in developing their passions and life-long happiness. 

Since our founding, we have achieved remarkable results with our students. In the 2018-2019 school year (the latest year with available data), our 8th graders outperformed both district and state achievement levels in all subject areas, and our high school earned an “A” growth grade from the Louisiana Department of Education. We have also found that students who spend more time at our school are significantly more likely to score proficient or advanced on end-of-year exams. 

Position Overview

Special Education teachers are entrusted with advancing the mission of Jefferson RISE. Special education teachers are responsible for the development and execution of a standards-aligned curriculum, continuous improvement of their instructional practices based on feedback and support, and collaboration on areas of instructional and/or curricular need at the school. Special education teachers are held accountable by the team for high performance and growth, student achievement, and quality of instructional practice. 

The special education teacher will push-in the English or Math classes to support students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs).  The special education teacher will plan and deliver instruction, provide accommodations and modifications to students in accordance with their Individual Education Programs (IEPs), participate in professional development sessions and coaching, communicate with families, and contribute to the overall success of Jefferson RISE Charter School. Jefferson RISE Staff stays one day per week for after school tutorials.  

As a charter school, Jefferson RISE sets its own academic calendar and daily/weekly schedule based on the needs of its students. Staff generally work from mid-July (beginning with professional development before students arrive) through late May. 

Teachers expected to stay after school one day a week for tutoring or other afterschool activities. Weekly professional learning opportunities are provided on Fridays. 

Special Education teachers will assist classroom teachers in general daily activities by writing and implementing instructional and behavioral strategies for our students with Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs). Special Education teachers will also collect data and proctor tests/quizzes as needed. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

1. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Utilize curriculum resources to create standards-aligned scope and sequence, annual plan, unit plans, and lesson plans; develop interim, midterm, and final assessments as needed
• Develop and implement ambitious, standards-aligned lesson plans with an end goal of student performance at or above grade level expectations
• Provide engaging, motivating, and rigorous instruction in whole-class, small-group, and individual settings
• Provide academic support and tutoring to small groups or individual students as needed/scheduled, including after-school tutoring
• Work to continuously improve effectiveness in all instructional practices, using the school’s teacher performance rubric as a guide
• Use feedback to make productive changes in performance

1. Administrative

• Analyze student achievement data in collaboration with team members 
• Implement data tracking system and use data to inform instructional development and delivery
• Enter in student performance data in a timely manner
• Complete all administrative requirements before given deadlines
• Ensure IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards-based, strength-based, and relevant to individual students
• Ensure compliance with all local and Federal laws and regulation relating to students with IEPs 
• Coordinate with students’ special education team, including parents, to ensure all documents are completed in a timely manner (according to state, local, and school policies and procedures) and that quarterly IEP progress reports are filed and shared with guardians 
• Maintain student files (paper and electronic) according to school, district, and state standards
• Work to maintain a tracking and data system that includes: student information related to IEPs, services, service hours, evaluations, referrals, timelines in which evaluations were completed and discipline incidents
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and student information

1. School and Community Culture

• Embody and teach the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the school
• Design and implement programs that promote positive student behavior, and that motivate students to exhibit the leadership values of the school
• Build classroom community by investing families in students’ academic success and development of strong character and leadership traits 

Candidate Profile

Education and Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• Degree in content area (preferred)
• Content area certification (preferred)
• Special Education certification (preferred)

Experience and Skills:

• Technological proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as well as other web-based applications
• Excellent communication skills
• High level of personal organization and planning
• Proven track record of student achievement and/or growth

Culture and Fit:

• Commitment to the mission and organizational success of Jefferson RISE 
• Ambition and desire to grow as a leader 
• Openness to feedback and a willingness to take personal responsibility for the affairs of the school 
• Entrepreneurial spirit 
• Personal and professional integrity 
• Team player (flexible, willing to jump in)

Benefits

Jefferson RISE pays the following employee only costs for all full-time employees: 85% medical and 100% dental, vision, short and long term disability. The Employee covers the remaining costs, including 15% employee medical and all spouse/dependent costs. RISE provides retirement benefits to all W-2 employees. RISE will match contributions to employee 401(k)s up to 100% of contributions on the first 3% deferred, then 50% of contributions from 3% to 5%. There is no vesting period. Jefferson RISE reserves the right to offer different or additional benefits to the Employee at any time.

At this time, Jefferson RISE is not able to provide work visa sponsorship. Being authorized to work in the United States is a precondition for employment. 

Additional Questions

The following questions will be part of this job application. Those marked with an asterisk will be required to submit your application.

1. If someone were to walk into your classroom, what activities would they see you and the students doing? *
2. What do you do to improve? Give an example of a time when you received difficult feedback from a peer, student, teacher, or supervisor. How did you respond in the moment? How did it affect your thinking? Your actions? *
3. Describe a time when you saw some problem and took the initiative to correct it rather than waiting for someone else to do it. *
4. Do you have a bachelor's degree? *
5. Are you certified to teach in the state of Louisiana? *
6. Are there specific courses or grade levels within your subject area you are interested in teaching? *
7. How did you learn about this position? *
   1. Indeed.com
   2. ZipRecruiter
   3. Google Jobs
   4. BetterTeacher 
   5. WorkNOLA
   6. A Jefferson RISE team member (please specify)
   7. A Jefferson RISE parent or community member
   8. An email from Jefferson RISE Careers
   9. Somewhere else (please specify)
8. If you learned about this role from a Jefferson RISE staff member or somewhere that wasn't listed in the previous question, please tell us who or where.
9. Is there anything else you'd like us to know in considering your application?
10. Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
11. If you have prior teaching experience, please tell us about the evidence of student achievement for your former/current students. If you do not have prior teaching experience, tell us about a time you were required to monitor progress towards achieving a goal and how you did so.