The Opportunity:PLA Special Education teachers are passionate and devoted leadersbringing 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
• Develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensure 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 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:

• A passion for working with students and families in under-served communities
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Special Education from an accredited college or university; with appropriate endorsements, if applicable
• Valid State Teacher License or enrolled in a credentialing program
• Effective pedagogical skills driven by standards and data-driven assessment
• Experience tracking and using data to drive instruction
• Demonstrate organizational and technology skills to encourage scholar engagement 

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 (PLA University) 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:

Hope Community PCS - Tolson is a public charter school in Washington, D.C. that was founded in 2006 and recently joined the PLA network in 2022. We serve about 250 scholars from PK - 8th grade with a school population that is reflective of the strength and diversity of the community in which we are privileged to serve. We pride ourselves on our STEAM-focused learning that results in scholars taking risks, engaging in learning, and having ownership of their education. Our vision is centered on having a growth mindset to encourage our scholars to develop their immense potential and continue to be active contributors to their communities. We believe that by providing a world-class education in an empowering school environment, all scholars are able to flourish and achieve more than they thought possible.

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

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.