Special Education Teacher

Title: Special Education Teacher

Reports To: Principal or Asst. Principal

Employment Status: Salaried - Exempt

Job Overview

The Special Education Teacher is responsible for designing, planning, and providing appropriate, high-quality learning experiences for scholars with disabilities in various educational settings across grades K-8. This role is central to creating an environment that supports a culture of learning and embraces high academic achievement for every scholar, consistent with NMA's mission and core principles.

The ideal candidate possesses strong pedagogical skills, is highly collaborative, and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to both data-driven instruction and the unique cultural needs of the NMA community.

Key Responsibilities

Instruction, Planning, and Achievement

• Develop and implement specially designed instruction and curriculum plans for scholars based on their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and specific learning needs, utilizing a variety of instructional methods.
• Partner with general education classroom teachers to develop and implement consistent co-teaching and co-strategies across grade levels, modeling exemplary behavior and instructional practices.
• Collaborate with Academic Coaches to develop school-wide and classroom-specific strategies that address learning barriers and promote inclusion.
• Plan and facilitate lessons that inspire students to be engaged in their learning, administer recognition, and model positive behavior.
• Ensure the implementation of NMA’s Core Principles, particularly "Aiming for High Academic Achievement" and "Having High Expectations."

Case Management, Compliance, and Data

• Serve as the primary case manager for assigned scholars, ensuring all local, state, and federal compliance requirements related to special education are met in a timely manner.
• Conduct comprehensive, legally compliant student evaluations and re-evaluations, including writing the full Evaluation Report.
• Facilitate and lead all IEP team meetings, ensuring parents and staff are fully engaged and informed throughout the process.
• Maintain accurate and organized records, including progress monitoring data, IEP documents, and communication logs.
• Utilize data analysis to interpret scholar performance, applying data to decision-making to drive academic interventions and program adjustments.

Culture, Community, and Collaboration

• Actively foster a safe, socially-emotionally supportive learning environment, in alignment.
• Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and sensitivity to the unique challenges of an immigrant and refugee community.
• Commit to building collaborative leadership between and among staff, parents, and scholars to achieve academic goals.
• Inspire, foster, and empower scholars, staff members, and parents in an academic setting.
• Actively promote NMA's Mission: "to build a better life for our students by creating an environment of high academic achievement while preserving Hmong culture and literacy."
• Participate in all required staff meetings and follow through with agenda items.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in an approved program for Special Education – General Curriculum or related field.
• Licensure: Must be licensed to teach in the subject area in the state of Minnesota.
• Experience: 1 year of experience working in a classroom as a teacher, substitute teacher, paraprofessional, or student teacher preferred.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of Minnesota state standards and best practices in special education.
• Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and proficiency in compiling, interpreting, and presenting data.
• Key Competencies:
• Demonstrated ability to create and foster a safe learning and working environment for families and scholars.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work urgencies and manage complex case files.
• Strong collaboration skills, including experience facilitating large group meetings and working effectively within a fast-paced environment.
• Strong presence and ability to maintain a respectful and productive learning environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact professionally with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated cultural responsiveness and competency, with a commitment to NMA’s unique educational model and its diverse community. Preference given to candidates who speak, write, and read Hmong.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: 45,000

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off and Holidays

New Millennium Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.