Lead Teacher

Pressley Ridge seeks a Lead Teacher for its Day School in Pittsburgh to provide trauma-informed, specialized education to youth with behavioral and emotional needs. In this role, you will design and deliver differentiated instruction aligned with IEPs, integrate therapeutic and evidence-based practices, and create a safe, structured classroom environment. Working within a collaborative, mission-driven team, you will partner closely with clinicians, families, and support staff to monitor progress, support behavior, and help students build academic, social, and emotional skills for long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver differentiated, trauma-informed instruction aligned with IEP goals
• Create and maintain a structured, therapeutic classroom environment
• Collaborate with clinicians, families, and support staff on student treatment and education plans
• Monitor and document student progress, behavior, and academic outcomes
• Implement positive behavior support and de-escalation strategies
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development
• Ensure compliance with special education and regulatory requirements
• Support crisis intervention and student safety protocols

Required Skills

• Trauma-informed instructional strategies
• Special education and IEP implementation
• Classroom and behavior management
• De-escalation and crisis intervention
• Data collection and progress monitoring
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of behavioral health principles
• Lesson planning and curriculum adaptation
• Family and caregiver communication
• Regulatory compliance in special education