SY 26-27 Special Education Preschool Teacher

About AppleTree

AppleTree’s mission is to close the achievement gap before students get to kindergarten. To accomplish this mission, we focus exclusively on preschool and pre-K education. We provide free, full-day public charter school programming for three- and four-year-olds in 12 locations across Washington, DC,  employing our innovative and award winning instructional model, Every Child Ready (ECR). This instructional model provides educators with tools and resources for “What to Teach,” “How to Teach,” and “How to Measure Success.” Our instructional model is also used by partners across the nation. We continuously test and improve this model through feedback from AppleTree educators, partners, and other stakeholders to ensure that children are learning and exploring through play and appropriate instruction.

Position Summary

The Self-Contained Special Education Teacher ensures that all children and families with special needs receive optimal, developmentally-appropriate educational experiences. Under the primary direction of the Special Education Manager and secondary direction of the Principal, the Special Education Teacher will implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in inclusion, push-in and/or pull-out settings.  The Special Education Teacher will work with general education teachers in a consultative manner to integrate research-based interventions into their practice applying the Response to Intervention model. 

This position will support the Self-Contained Special Education Manager with administrative tasks including IDEA compliance activities and comprehensive case management of students participating in the special education program.  The Self-Contained Special Education Teacher reports to the Special Education Manager, with input from the school Principal. 

This is an on-site position based in Washington, DC. 

What you’ll do…

Support the development and achievement of young and diverse learners

• Implement developmentally-appropriate instructional activities that encourage the child with special needs abilities to analyze, conceptualize, synthesize and evaluate

• Demonstrate competency and expertise with the implementation of AppleTree’s instructional program

• Implement the Response to Intervention (RTI) instructional model to maximize student achievement, especially for those students identified for special education and students in need of intervention

• Plan and provide differentiated and individualized instruction that supports students’ social, emotional, physical and cognitive development in alignment with AELPCS’ standards and/or the IEP

• Consult with general education teachers to support the implementation of the RTI model

• Support assessment activities related to the special education program including identification and eligibility in accordance with IDEA, and aligned with RTI and AELPCS standards

• Provide specialized instruction during Extended School Year (ESY) to eligible students.

 Provide case management for special education and related services

• Develop annual IEPs in collaboration with the instructional team and the Special Education Coordinator that include developmentally-appropriate student goals

• Document student data and progress through the Special Education Data System (SEDS)

• Adhere to all aspects of the IDEA compliance process

• Collaborate with general education teachers and related service providers, such as therapists and social workers, to assess and ensure: 1) students’ progress toward IEP goals, 2) successful access to the general curriculum through Specialized Support Plans (SSP)

Establish and maintain cooperative partnerships with parents

• Collaborate with families and other school personnel to develop effective and viable transition plans to a Kindergarten Program for students with IEPs

• Regularly communicate the school’s and individual students; educational goals and progress to families

Ensure compliance with federal and local regulations. 

• Support the full continuum of services for children transitioning from Tier 2 to Tier 3 of the RTI process

• Utilize the OSSE approved special education data system (SEDS) including SEDS, Easy IEP, and other mandated systems to track and document student progress

• Assist with the development of the AELPCS Special Education Program for the purposes of ensuring program quality and continued compliance with all state and federal laws

• Maintain accurate special education records, to include documentation of service delivery and monitors the documentation of special education services provided as required by IDEA, state regulations, and AELPCS policies

Uphold professional responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality of student information

• Maintain necessary ongoing licensure/certification requirements within specified timelines

• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with staff, students, and families

• Allocate time and resources effectively

• Actively participate in professional development opportunities provided and seeks out additional professional development opportunities

• Fulfill the standards of professionalism in dress, attendance and timeliness

• Plan collaboratively and share ideas and resources with the AppleTree school community

Note                                                                           

The preceding description is not designed to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of the Self-Contained Special Education Teacher. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

What we’re looking for…

• Candidates must have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in elementary or early childhood special education and a passing score on the Praxis 5025 exam

• A master’s degree in early childhood special education or a certified speech language pathologist are preferred

• Two or more years of professional teaching of young children with special needs

• Ability to deliver virtual instruction using modern technology and video conferencing softwares

• Ability to travel to multiple AppleTree locations if needed

• Demonstrated teacher leadership experience is preferred

• Strong organizational skills and communication abilities

• Ability to work collaboratively and well within a team

• Candidates must also receive a passing score on the Special Education and Elementary Education Content Knowledge (PK-3) Praxis within 60 days of hire

What's in it for you . . .

• Competitive salary 

• Employee Health Benefits in the 95th percentile of other schools in the DC Metro Area

• Fully covered Dental

• Benefits for you and all eligible dependents

• Fully covered Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Life Insurance with buy-up options 

• Free Online Wellness Platform for you and up to four eligible dependents 

• Competitive Paid Time Off, including early-close Mental Health Days

• 5% Employer Contribution to your Retirement Account (whether you contribute or not)

• AppleTree Scholarship to pay for continued education

• Network Professional Development Opportunities