Special Education Teacher - Hiring Bonus

Access Services is hiring a Special Education teacher for the 2023-2024 school year at Access Learning Academy (ALA) serving students in 6th-12th grades in Pottstown, PA. This role can be either full time special education teacher, or a part time role (special education teacher, with a history certification). Both full and part time special education teachers will receive a $2,000 bonus ($1,000 upon hire, and $1,000 upon completion of the school year).

When you step into your personal classroom at ALA, you will be able to lead and teach in a small classroom setting with ten students or less, focusing your attention and energy on supporting the learning needs of each student. This unique environment fosters student growth and teachers to flourish in their passion to educate and empower young people. As a unique emotional support school, we have students referred to us from school districts whom we interview and serve with a team of seasoned professionals. Learn about ALA at: Access Learning Academy - Access Services and meet our team at: Access Learning Academy Staff - Access Services . This team of passionate professionals invest into students and their families year after year, and empower each student’s adaptability for the future. In addition, our team deeply values encouraging one another, because we know that when teachers have a supportive work culture that causes them to flourish, our students’ academic journey and their family structures benefit as well.

Access Learning Academy is a unique emotional support school that serves students in 6th to 12th grade, who are referred to us from 10 different districts. We serve students who have internalized behaviors; anxiety, depression and at times struggle to navigate life. The Special Education teacher will join a team of seasoned professionals who are passionate about investing in students and empowering their adaptability for the future. This Special Education teacher will be responsible for the care, learning, and developmental activities, specialized programs, and redirection of our middle school to high school students. Flexibility, patience, and encouragement with students, families, and teammates are key qualities demonstrated by the successful Special Education teacher at Access Learning Academy.

Essential Functions:

• Plan and implement activities that promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth of students in grades 6th to 12th.
• Modify traditional education curriculum to meet each child's needs.
• Use various teaching methods to promote learning including intensive individualized instruction, problem-solving assignments, and small group work.
• Work together with an IEP team to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student; Review IEP with parents, administrators and general education teachers, and set personalized goals.
• Develop plans outlining specific steps to prepare students for transition back to their home district or graduation.
• Engage with current and prospective parents and family members, share student’s progress, and be responsive to the needs of families.
• Keep the Director informed of any necessary information regarding the care and safety of children.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation according to licensing or regulation requirements.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, center events, and parent/customer meetings as requested.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs.
• This position requires the ability to travel during a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectations of this position. Therefore, an employee will need to drive a vehicle in a safe manner, meet eligibility criteria as outlined in Motor Vehicle Policy, and successfully pass the agency’s substance abuse screening at any time during employment. 

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in education with a Special Education certificate required; Master’s degree desirable.

Certification:

• Current valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania teaching credential.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Currency of ACT 48 requirements with PDE.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Desire to work with children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Familiarity with developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Enthusiastic team player.
• Must be able to intervene and de-escalate students if agitated through non-physical interventions with a team.
• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technology.

Competencies:

• Client Focused: Dedicated to meeting the requirements of internal/external stakeholders in ALA (Access Learning Academy).
• Teamwork: Balances responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to a positive team spirit and builds group commitments to team goals; puts success of team above own interests.
• Compliance: Maintains all licenses and certifications required; follows all state and federal laws and Access Services policies and procedures.
• Quality: Generates work at expected standards of performance, and is accurate, neat, orderly, complete and reliable.
• Communication Skills: Organizes and presents ideas and information in a professional, clear, concise manner, either written or verbally.
• Interpersonal Skills: Maintains confidentiality; remains open to others’ ideas; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; handles conflict professionally; participates in meetings.
• Dependability: Adheres to attendance standards; follows through on instructions; responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; completes task in a timely manner.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Benefits

Pay Rate:

• Full Time: $48,000-$53,000, salary range based on education and related work experience.
• Part Time: $25-$30/hourly, with rate based on education and related work experience.
• Hiring Bonus: $1000 (upon hire) AND Retention Bonus - $1,000 (at completion of school year).

All employees receive the following benefits:

• Mileage/Toll Reimbursement, paid travel time between worksites.
• Employee Assistance Program (telehealth/in person).
• Referral Bonuses up to $750 per hire.

• College tuition discounts, Credit Union perks, retail discounts.

20 hours+ benefits include :

• Paid Time Off, Tuition reimbursement, 401k program.

30 hours+ benefits include:

• Health, Vision, Rx, & Dental insurances, HSA/FSA, 401k program.
• Tuition Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance.
• 29 Days PTO (vacation, sick days, holidays).
• Life Insurance, Short/Long Term Disability, Catastrophic Sick Leave, Paid Parental Leave.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.