Elementary Autism Special Education Teacher

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities:
Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

The Autism Special Education Classroom Teacher is passionate about assisting in the development of individual and small group instruction to meet the unique needs of Autistic students. The Special Education Autism Classroom Teacher holds primary responsibility for providing academic services and collaborating with related service providers for students who require a specialized self-contained program to thrive academically, behaviorally, and socially.

• Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students, both in and out of school
• Show unwavering commitment to urban youth with disabilities achieving greatness
• Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students are continuously progressing towards their IEP goals
• Design and implement curricula and activities that meet the needs of the students in the special education program and to meet individualized academic standards
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices
• Provide individualized and consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the individual behavior plans and goals for each student
• Be accountable for students' mastery of goals as outlined in their Individualized Education Programs
• Share responsibility for school-wide activities
• Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities
• Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral needs
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
• Engage families in their children's education through frequent contact
• Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings
• Participate in an annual three-week staff orientation and training
• Mentor and engage the classroom paraprofessional(s) in instructional practice and professional development
• Include the classroom paraprofessional(s) in daily classroom activities to help students meet academic standards
• Implement and enhance the school’s systems and culture
• Build professional relationships and collaborate with the Child Study Team Supervisor, members of the Child Study Team, Principal, Dean of Students, Program Director, Case Manager, and other school staff to maximize the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students’ development
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
• Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing special education
• Experience working with students on the Autism Spectrum
• Effective problem-solving, human relations, and communication skills
• Strong organizational…