The Opportunity: PLA Special Education teachers are passionate and devoted leaders bringing creativity and rigor to our classrooms to support an improved learning experience for our scholars. Our teachers are compassionate and committed to building a caring environment that nurtures the success of our school community. As a Special Education Teacher at Phalen Leadership Academies, you will develop and provide specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. You will provide appropriate accommodations to the set curriculum in support of the success and growth of scholars; identify the individual needs of students; create a supportive and effective learning environment; and ensure that our scholars have the resources they need to meet academic expectations.

The Details

Key Deliverables:

• Develop and adapt individualized teaching methods that are suitable for each scholar
• Performs a variety of assessments and observations to determine the areas in which students may need extra or modified educational services. Assessment areas may include academic performance, behavior, social development, or physical health
• Identifies students’ needs and develops related lesson and teaching plans
• Develops individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensures each student’s activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
• Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting the required specifications of IEPs and 504 plans
• Implements IEPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, continually tracks progress, and makes modifications as necessary
• Collaborates with classroom and homeroom teachers to ensure each student’s needs are met, and plans are followed

Experience and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with appropriate endorsements
• Valid teaching license with required SPED endorsements
• High proficiency in grade-level standards, benchmarks, and curriculum
• Experience informing parents about student progress and providing feedback

The Network: PLA is a transformative education nonprofit changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model. In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage), and a workforce development program (Skilled US) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students. This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities and expanded income opportunities.

The Campus: Discovery Creative Pathways (DCP) Harper Woods is a tuition-free charter school supporting K-8 scholars in the Harper Woods, MI area. Through a rigorous curriculum and high-quality instruction, our educators foster a love for learning. DCP Harper Woods embraces innovative teaching methods and technologies to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for the challenges of the future.

Offering a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as Girls/Boys Basketball, Soccer, Dance, Martial Arts, Drama Club, Cheerleading, Garden Club, and Tutoring. These activities make our school unique by providing opportunities for students to develop their skills, explore new interests, and build social connections. DCP Harper Woods prides itself on its ability to work closely with support staff, educators, and families to create a sense of joy and belonging for all scholars.

Compensation and Benefits:
PLA Special Education Teachers receive a base salary that is competitively aligned with the market. In addition to a base salary, PLA Teachers receive:

• Competitive Compensation
• Benefits – Healthcare, vision, and dental insurance
• Professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and being a part of professional communities within the school
• Incentive and bonus opportunities (5k annual bonus for certified staff)

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.