Special Education Teacher

At Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.), we believe in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through education, support, and compassion. We're looking for enthusiastic and caring Lead Teacher to join our team, people who want to build meaningful connections and grow in a mission-driven environment that values equity, belonging, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of eclectic approaches, multisensory learning and repetition to reinforce learning and to meet students' varying needs and interests.
• Establish long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Utilize special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
• Modifies the general education curriculum for special-needs students based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining successful classroom management as outlined by the Key’s to Behavior or in a formal behavior plan.
• Adhere to the L.I.F.E. Language policy by using Person First Language, You Can Language, Do Language, Varying Praise, Behavior Specific Praises, and utilizing Declarative Language.
• Work with testing specialists, social workers, and other professionals to assist with the determination of eligibility and the wellbeing of the student.
• Maintenance of accurate and complete student records.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students and staff.
• Collaboration with other members of the treatment team.
• Pass all fidelity checklists at 80% or better.
• Supervision and management of the Para staff job responsibilities.
• Ensures that the Para staff are following payroll/billing expectations and policies.
• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintaining them over time.
• Adhere to deadlines regarding policy and procedures as required and as directed.
• Identify the training needs of the classroom staff.
• Analyze information and by evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicate the needs of the classroom to the Leadership Team with regards to supplies and or other needs.
• Develop, design, or create new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions for the betterment of the Students.
• Monitor students' attendance and ensure all policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Assist in the new hire process and team selection.
• Write and deliver 30/60/90-day fidelity checklists, academy fidelity checklists, and the disciplinary process.
• Ensures that all incidents are recorded by the end of the day.
• Ensures all team members are complying with the overall mission, vision and goals of the organization as well as our organizational Pillars.
• Must be self-motivated, possess high energy, and have good moral character.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Performs all duties in a safe and prudent manner
• L.I.F.E. Pathways and Academy department maintain a low student/learner to instructor ratio and has extensive support from specialty therapists and behavior analysts. This position may be placed in Pathways to Independence, Pathways to Employment, or Pathways to Adulthood, or the Academy depending on where the need is greatest.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Degree in education or in a related field to education
• Level One Fingerprint Clearence Card and disclosure statement regarding criminal record signed by applicant
• Provide three (3) references (forms provided)
• Current CPR and First aid certification (originals must be provided for copy and file)
• Proof of training and proficiency in A.A.C. Title 6, Chapter 6, Article 9
• No less than 3 months experience with children
• Prevention and Support training, if specified.
• Evidence of successful completion of the Lauren’s Institute for Education orientation and/or training program.
• Knowledge, skills and experience sufficient to carry out the requirements of the position

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Windows strong communication and presentation skills
• State Certification
• Physical Demands: This position requires a combination of routine administrative activity and occasional physical tasks. Employees must be able to:
• Sit, communicate, and remain attentive to surroundings for extended periods
• Occasionally stand, walk, bend, kneel, or reach as part of daily responsibilities
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds when assisting learners with mobility, transfers, equipment, or program materials
• Push or move items up to 50 pounds, such as wheelchairs, furniture, or supplies
• Maintain adequate vision (close, distance, and peripheral) to complete job-related tasks safely and effectively
• Additional Requirement: All direct service staff may be required to participate in aquatic environments with learners, including swimming pools and splash pads. Employees must be able to swim, remain comfortable in water settings, and provide direct supervision of learners during these activities. Accommodations can be discussed with a supervisor if needed.
• "Working together to empower people through extraordinary services for developmental disabilities."
• At Lauren’s Institute for Education, it is inherent in our purpose and mission to promote acceptance, equity, and inclusion, both with the community we serve and those we entrust that service to. These principles are at the forefront of our model and growth. We strive to create an environment and culture where everyone believes they have equal value, regardless of gender, sex, religion, age, orientation, culture, national origin, ability level, etc. We believe that by creating an environment where all people thrive, we will be able to create a more successful and diverse organization that best serves our community. We acknowledge the different biases that exist in our world and work to ensure that they do not hinder our impact. We, therefore, are committed to collecting data and evaluating procedures about the diversity of our staff and those we serve, to ensure there are not misaligned practices from our values, or if there are, to adjust to the best of our ability.
• Lauren’s Institute For Education (L.I.F.E.) is a non-profit organization serving people with disabilities in Gilbert, AZ in an all-inclusive transdisciplinary treatment center.