TLC Child and Family Services, home to Journey Academy, is a leading agency which offers a continuum of evidence-based treatment and relationship-focused care to youth and families. Our agency offers five tiers of service; foster care and adoption, residential treatment, special education, comprehensive mental health, and transitional housing. Our team is dedicated to empowering children, young adults, and their support systems with the goal of cultivating resilience, well-being, and prosperity.
Position Summary:
We are looking for a Special Education Teacher who wants to be a part of an innovative and growing agency and school program. This person will be someone who can work under pressure, or crises, with proven abilities to respond calmly. This person is a leader and is able to be inspired by the changing needs of our students and community. We are looking for someone who wants to empower the lives of youth and families in our communities.
Program Description:
Journey Academy is a CDE certified nonpublic school that serves students in 8th through 12th grades. All students have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and Journey is authorized to provide special education instruction to students identified with Emotional Disturbance, Autism, Other Health Impairment, and Specific Learning Disability. We work with youth who are bright and capable, and who are often struggling to find their place in the world. Journey Academy provides a safe, therapeutic environment specializing in a relationship-based approach that embraces each individual’s unique strengths. Youth are given support to thrive and grow, enhance their social and emotional well-being, gain independent living skills and step into their true potential.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Special Education Teacher whose teaching philosophy is student centered and focused in research based practices.
The Special Education Teacher is a position that requires commitment and patience working with a diverse group of students, staff and program needs. This person will be knowledgeable and competent in this field, as well as open to development. They will provide support to a small school team of four teachers, one principal, three instructional aides, a school counselor, two school clinicians, a culinary specialist and two office support personnel. They will personally manage the caseload and special education needs for no more than twelve students, and will also perform classroom instruction for small groups with the assistance of an Instructional Aide.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Valid Educational Specialist Instruction Credential- Mild/Moderate Disabilities
- Autism Spectrums Authorization or other method to meet CTC requirements for working with students on the Autism Spectrum
- One to three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field of mental health and/or education
Preferred:
- Experience teaching in Special Education with students who have severe mental health needs that impact their education
- Highly qualified or personal interest in teaching social studies
Agency Requirements:
- Obtain and maintain fingerprint, government and agency required background clearances, without additional exemptions
- Ability to pass a pre-employment physical exam, TB and drug screen
- Valid California driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and auto insurance showing employee as an insured driver on the policy
Schedule:
- Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:00pm
- 2022-2023 school year: 207 Days (regular school year, extended school year & professional development days)
Skills:
- Strong classroom management
- Strong time management skills
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to think clearly in the moment, stay calm during complex and challenging situations
- Solution focused with proven ability to problem-solve
- Ability to work with diverse populations including staff, youth and community members
- Proficient with technology, including: Google Suite and Classroom, Microsoft Office and other educational applications
- Willingness to grow, be vulnerable, laugh and play alongside the teams and youth
Essential Functions:
- Collaborates and communicates with stakeholders, including the parents/guardians, and the Journey Academy school and therapeutic staff to implement and maintain academic, behavioral and therapeutic services for students
- Performs all duties related to the development and management of the student’s IEP for a caseload of no more than twelve students
- Supervises students during transitions and social breaks
- Develops and facilitates rigorous standard based learning opportunities that are centered in research based methods to meet the unique needs of the student(s)
- Advocates for and supports the short-term and long-term goals of the student
- Collaborates with Instructional Assistants to maintain classroom structure, meet individual student needs and support classroom instruction
TLC offers a generous benefit package for full time staff including:
- 100% employer paid health, dental and vision plans for the employee. Dependents would be covered at 50% of the base health plan by TLC, dental and vision would be the employee’s responsibility. Coverage is available on the 1st of the month following date of hire.
- Paid Time Off: 10 days per year based on 40 hr. work week.
- Employee ability to contribute toward a 403b retirement plan. TLC offers a matching contribution with vesting schedule, beginning at the completion of 6 months service.
- Employer paid $50,000 Life Insurance policy
The Journey Academy nonpublic school, a program of TLC Child and Family Services, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) and the California Alliance and has the Innovator Seal, which is the highest recognition by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
We value diversity and are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Please convey your interest by submitting a cover letter and resume to careers@tlc4kids.org.
Salary Range: $59,980-$68,525 depending on education and experience.