Special Education Teacher (Immediate Opening) 2024-2025

About Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts is a 6-12th grade, tuition-free public charter school for students in Fort Worth, Texas. Our mission is to provide a safe, challenging learning environment that cultivates our students’ academic and artistic excellence. We exist to ensure that all students are provided with equitable opportunities to Learn In The Arts and Learn Through The Arts.

Start Date: ASAP

Type: Full-time position. Work hours are generally 8:15 am - 4:45 pm. Flexibility in the work schedule is expected due to the nature of working in a start-up environment. The schedule will be adjusted to accommodate after-hours assignments.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Special Populations Coordinator, the Special Education Teacher ensures that the campus meets high standards of organizational and academic excellence with a strong focus on driving strong student achievement outcomes. As an Academy of Visual and Performing Arts teacher, core responsibilities, at a minimum, include:

Instructional Strategies

• Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.
• Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels.
• Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.
• Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEP through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
• Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect an understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
• Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on a regular basis.
• Conduct an assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan for instructional activities.
• Present subject matter according to guidelines established by IEP.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
• Use technology in the teaching/learning process.

• Present subject matter according to guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, board policies, and administrative regulations.
• Work with other members of staff to determine instructional goals, objectives, and methods according to district requirements.
• Assist in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Plan and supervise assignments of teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s).

Student Growth and Development

• Use a variety of ongoing formative and summative assessment measures of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Use data, including disaggregated data of subgroups of students, to determine the effectiveness of instruction, and make instructional adjustments in response to student needs.
• Maintain accurate and efficient record-keeping of official attendance records, grade reports, student files, documentation of state and local assessment preparation, and other appropriate documents.
• Perform essential functions and roles pertaining to standardized testing, including monitoring and proctoring tests, securing and disseminating test data, combined with maintaining current and accurate records of student test data.

Classroom Management and Organization

• Build a classroom learning environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being of students.
• Manage student behavior and administer discipline. This includes intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Consult with classroom teachers regarding the management of student behavior according to IEP.
• Consult with district and outside resource people regarding the education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Establish and consistently monitor expectations for student behavior - in and outside of class, between classes, during performances/exhibitions, at assigned duty stations, and when off campus.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.

Communication

• Provide two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and the community.
• Communicate in a way that fosters collegiality and team building among staff members.
• Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.

Professional Growth and Development

• Collaborate with core and non-core educators during professional learning and professional development.
• Collaborate to design arts-integrated, project-based learning experiences for all students.
• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.

Other

• Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

First and foremost, candidates must have an unwavering commitment to the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts’ mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of AVPA students, families, and staff. Additionally, for this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements for the subject and level assigned
• Valid Special Education Certification required
• Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of academic and artistic excellence
• Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Successful criminal background check required

Benefits

What We Offer

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts’ compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution. The salary for this role is based on the 2023-2024 Teacher Salary Schedule. AVPA is committed to internal pay equity throughout our organization. Because of this, we do not negotiate salary offers outside our salary bands. We offer a competitive benefits package with comprehensive health benefits. All staff members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including relevant and quality professional development, laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.