The First Hope (Unique Abilities) Lead Teacher

Division: ​The First Hope of The First Academy 

Reports to: ​The First Hope Director 

Job Summary: The First Hope offers a unique approach to teaching students with various learning needs academically, cognitively, and spiritually. Classes provide a small student-to-teacher ratio in order to promote student achievement.  

Our primary purpose at TFA is to connect students and their families to Jesus, to others, and to God’s Truth - our mission is to make disciples who make disciples. Biblical Worldview Integration is an essential part of the curriculum. We teach there is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ and that those who reject the Gospel will face suffering for all eternity (Mt. 25:46).  We believe that TFA Employees all have influence and are called to be Living Curriculum Influencers (II Cor. 3:3). We encourage one another and spur one another on to good works (Heb. 10:24) because we share a passion to be 1) Christ Followers, 2) Prayer Warriors, 3) Servant Leaders, 4) Relationship Builders, 5) Faithful Encouragers, 6) Grateful Communicators, and 7) Engaging Instructors. We want our lives to be a living testimony to the grace of God (Eph. 2:8) and the joy that comes through walking with Jesus every day (Ps. 34:1).

The lead teacher will be a Christian who will support and inspire special needs students to gain the knowledge and skill set for behavioral, academic, and spiritual development, consistent with The First Academy's philosophies, vision, and mission statement. This is a 10-month position that runs from August through May.

Essential Job Functions:

• Your service at The First Academy is a ministry. In your ministry role, it is imperative that you understand the importance of embracing a Christian Worldview and being an ambassador for the Gospel. The Baptist Faith and Message of 2000, The First Baptist Church of Orlando, and the School’s Statement of Faith outlined in Article III of its By-laws are the guidelines of Biblical interpretation and application to social and lifestyle issues at The First Academy. As an employee of The First Academy, you agree to minister and to be a role model to students and others within these guidelines.
• Lead special needs students in a classroom with a low student-to-teacher ratio with the assistance of paraprofessional(s) 
• Creative, problem-solving skills, multi-tasker, and team player in a special needs setting
• Daily data documentation to track progress in alignment with student goals
• Responsible for providing structured learning activities for paraprofessionals to implement to help each child with their individual “mastered” and “current” goals
• Prepare appropriate weekly lesson plans, including instructional objectives, planned activities, Biblical integration, assessments, and resources, incorporating classroom technology to enhance instruction 
• Plan, prepare, and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials in a manner that facilitates active learning, effectively utilizing the basic elements of instruction, including but not limited to presentation of content, questioning techniques, responding to learner input, and arrangement of learning activities
• Demonstrate the spiritual maturity, academic ability, and personal leadership qualities to inspire student learning, including the understanding of the knowledge and characteristics of the age group taught
• Effectively manage classroom and behavior procedures to provide a positive classroom environment conducive to learning, including modeling effective teacher/parental partnering through timely communication with parents in support of student learning (e.g., posting of assignments, grades, conferencing)
• Actively participate in extracurricular activities in support of school initiatives

Behavioral Requirements: 

• Help develop, update, and implement Behavior Intervention Plans, including paraprofessional training on implementation
• Knowledgeable and proficient in strong classroom structure, visual aids for students, and sensory activities 
• Experience with assistive technology and resources is preferred 

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Evidence of a mature personal Christian faith consistent with the First Academy Statement of Faith, including being a born again Christian, active Church member, exhibiting a close personal walk with Jesus Christ, modeling an exemplary Biblical lifestyle, and evidencing maturity in the understanding and integration of sound Biblical principles in classroom instruction and personal counseling
• Demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to the distinctive qualities of Christian education
• Feels called by God to the special needs teaching profession
• Present a positive image of the school to others and to the community
• Recognize and assist parents to have primary responsibility before God for their children’s education
• Ability to maintain an appropriate work/life balance
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, incorporating the appropriate level of diplomacy and tact
• Possess solid communication skills, both written and verbal, strong organizational skills, ability to finish tasks in a timely manner and effectively partner and collaborate with others
• Ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to school/student matters
• Experienced with using technology in a classroom environment, preferably Apple products
• Embrace being a lifelong learner and the ongoing development of a professional skill set 
• Florida State Certified Teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree, preferred ESE credentials
• Certification and experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) preferred 
• Experience and passion in working with special needs students 
• CPR certification preferred

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Consistent attendance is a job requirement.