The Organization

The Academy of Alameda is composed of two public charters - the Academy of Alameda Elementary School and the Academy of Alameda Middle School. It serves one of the most diverse student populations in the state and is committed to providing all students a world-class education including supporting students’ social-emotional development. In addition to providing students with deep learning experiences that are academically and emotionally engaging, students' learning experiences in and out of the classroom are shaped by The Academy's commitment to social justice.

The Academy of Alameda staff has an excellent reputation for connecting to its diverse families, providing students a strong academic foundation, and for building meaningful relationships in and between students, staff, and families. Finally, we take pride in our fierce commitment to our envisioned future of supporting all of our students' success and that their destinies are not determined by their demographics.

The Opportunity

The Academy is seeking a full-time, highly qualified special education teacher committed to serving a diverse student body and delivering services and instruction using a progressive RtI model. 

Our special education teachers work as part of a dynamic team that includes close collaboration with general education teachers and support staff to deliver targeted instruction, accommodations and support services. There is a strong focus on collaborative teaching and case management (including partnering with parents/guardians).

The Academy of Alameda’s Special Education Team plays a critical role in supporting all students (but especially those who have IEPs) to be academically, emotionally and behaviorally successful.

When applying for the position, please take time in your cover letter to reference your knowledge and/or experience with providing supports to elementary student with disabilities in a mainstream classroom environment. Also, please discuss what about this particular position excites you.

Core Values

• We are looking for a candidate who exhibit AoA’s Core Values:
• We are committed to supporting equitable student achievement results and integrating social justice concepts into our school program.
• We value student and staff diversity as it provides for deeper understanding, empathy and richer learning opportunities.
• We continually improve our practice individually, and as an organization in order to meet our students’ needs.
• We have a collective responsibility to support all of our students’ academic success and social-emotional well-being.
• We continually build caring relationships within and between our staff, students and families.

What You Will Do:

• Believe that all students can be successful at high levels and that a student’s academic success should not be determined by their race or ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, sexual preference etc.
• See the value in and thus have a strong desire to collaborate deeply with other teachers, and supporting staff members
• Have a student-focused lens and continually seek to build strong relationships with students and their families 
• Be a successful teacher – strong in both subject areas who is reflective and continually wants to improve his/her practice to impact student learning
• Work hard but also have fun

What You Will Bring:

 Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in teaching at the early childhood or elementary school level
• Belief in AoA’s mission and philosophy
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize student achievement while creating a nurturing and encouraging school environment
• Hold or are working towards Special Education teaching credential
• CLAD Certified or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

• Compliant case manager for Elementary School students with IEPs (caseload may vary from year to year, but will not exceed 28 students) 
• Collaborate with and manage SPED Instructional Assistants (as applicable) 
• Frequent communication with General Education teachers, including attending planning meetings 
• Attend all staff meetings and Professional Development days 
• Attendance at parent/guardian-teacher conferences as appropriate
• Participation in weekly COST meetings
• Participation in Progress Monitoring meetings (four times a school year)
• Lead Professional Development with Elementary School teachers regarding Special Education topics (in collaboration with the Director of Special Education and/or the Elementary School Principal)
• Administering the WIAT and writing subsequent Academic Achievement reports
• Authoring all IEPs and fulfilling all SAI time within elementary school 
• Comprehensive progress reports 3x a year 
• Maintaining strong relationships with families and offering in depth knowledge of the IEP process and in school implications of being diagnosed with a learning disability 
• Coordinating services of related service providers including (SLP, OT, school psych/counselor, etc.) 
• Maintain and support 504 plans
• Attend and counsel on SST and 504 meetings, write subsequent assessment plans 
• Maintain comprehensive IEP paperwork share data/information on student progress, learning needs with general ed. teachers regularly and effectively 

Supervision

Supervisor: Elementary School Principal

Time Commitment

This position is a 10-month position. Most staff will report early in August (exact calendar TBD).

Application Documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Two letters of recommendation

Our Compensation Package:

Compensation is competitive and based on experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and participate in California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS).

The Academy of Alameda is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce at all levels so that it reflects the demographics of the students and families that it serves. The Academy is committed to continually looking inward to dismantle policies and practices that lead to systemic racism.