Special Education Teacher

Hiawatha College-Prep – Northrop seeks a Special Education teacher and teammate for the 2023-2024 school year.

Job Summary
Every Northrop teacher has the opportunity to join a team of motivated, mission-driven teammates who are committed to taking responsibility for their students’ learning. Hiawatha teachers are charged with providing a rigorous, fast-paced, and inspiring learning environment for their students. The Special Education teacher will provide instruction to students with identified special education needs and strategically support the general education staff with implementation of Individualized Education Plans.

The Special Education Teacher will work under the guidance of the Dean of Specialized Instruction and Instructional Leadership Team and in close collaboration with the rest of the Special Education Team, the Dean of Students, classroom teachers, and advisors.

Responsibilities 
Instructional Planning and Implementation

• Utilize curriculum to develop and implement standards-based lesson plans that include an understanding and modeling of independent thinking skills, creative problem-solving, and evidence-based reasoning, differentiating and scaffolding as needed
• Implement assessments that are aligned with daily, weekly, and unit objectives
• Use data to adjust short- and long-term plans in order to meet students’ learning needs

Learning and Development

• Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and student achievement; reflect on instructional practices to meet individual professional development goals
• Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and community meetings

School and Classroom Culture

• Establish and maintain relationships with students and families based in trust and regular communication; collaborate and communicate regularly with families about academic progress and behavior
• Establish and maintain high expectations and routines for academic work and classroom behavior
• Establish and reinforce expectations and accountability structures to maintain a positive, focused classroom

Support students with Identified Special Needs

• Write, implement, and track the goals for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
• Assist in the initial and three year re-evaluation of students to determine qualifications and need for special education services including conducting achievement testing, data collection, observations, interviews, and completing functional behavior assessments
• Provide direct academic and behavioral instruction and support for students with learning needs in the general education classroom
• Provide individual and group support for the development of social/emotional skills
• Work closely with other members of the Student Support Team (Dean of Students, ELD teacher(s), paraprofessional(s), and school and network administration) and general education staff to ensure high quality service is being provided for identified students
• Maintain compliant special education records

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records, grade book, and data tracking systems
• Actively attend to supervision duties and contribute positively to a collaborative school environment

The Special Education Teacher role must demonstrate knowledge of and support Hiawatha Academies’ mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

*Perform other duties as required and assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• MN Teaching License: Special Education EBD, LD, or ABS (dual license preferred)
• Knowledge of Special Education law and Due Process compliance
• Experience working with students with learning and emotional-behavioral needs
• Knowledge of writing and implementing IEPs
• Knowledge of MN EBD and/or SLD criteria and the evaluation process including: conducting Functional Behavior Assessments; understanding the use of Positive Behavior Supports; knowledge of how to write a Behavior Intervention Plan
• Training or willingness to be trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
• Experience working with diverse groups of students

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual or multilingual (Spanish and Somali preferred)
• A minimum of two years teaching in a high-need school with demonstrated student results

Compensation: The starting salary range for this position is $43,160 – $75,816 based on years of experience in an equivalent role. Salary will be prorated to the start date and based on FTE. Employees are paid bi-monthly.

Benefits: This position is benefit eligible the first of the month following the start date. Hiawatha Academies offers Medical, Dental and Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-Term Disability, an Employee Assistance Program and state pension retirement accounts. A generous contribution toward health and dental insurance is provided by the network. 

Why Hiawatha?
Hiawatha Academies is a network of college-preparatory schools focused on closing the opportunity gap in Minneapolis. We seek to create a K-12 school experience for scholars that empowers them with knowledge, character, and leadership skills. At Hiawatha Academies, we are committed to making our city and our world a more inclusive, equitable, and just place. 
Our equity vision: to honor the humanity of all people, we actively disrupt systemic inequity in pursuit of an equitable world. Hiawatha Academies permanently disrupts educational inequity by ensuring a great school for every child. 

Core Value and Beliefs
All Hiawatha Staff must demonstrate a passionate belief in and commitment to the following core values:
1) Children are at the center of everything we do.
2) Our mission requires bold thought and action.
3) We choose optimism.
4) We push ourselves to improve.
5) We are stronger together.
6) We create fun and a little weirdness.

Perks: Professional Development is scheduled into the calendar year and provides a time for all campuses to come together and celebrate our success.  

Hiawatha Employment Logistics

• Hiawatha College-Prep students’ school day is from 7:45am-2:45pm, Monday-Thursday and 7:45am-1:00pm on Friday.
• Staff must be present from 7:30am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday, or until all duties are completed for the next day. 
• Professional development sessions are held each Friday from 1:00pm-3:00pm.
• All Hiawatha Staff are expected to attend and participate in all family events at the school.

Application Timeline: This Notice of Vacancy will be posted until filled.  

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity
We believe that diversity is strength, and we are committed to maintaining an inclusive, multicultural network. We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants.