The Opportunity: PLA Special Education teachers are passionate and devoted leaders bringing creativity and rigor to our classrooms to support an improved learning experience for our scholars.   Our teachers are compassionate and committed to building a caring environment that nurtures the success of our school community.  As a Special Education Teacher at Phalen Leadership Academies, you will develop and provide specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. You will provide appropriate accommodations to the set curriculum in support of the success and growth of scholars; identify the individual needs of students; create a supportive and effective learning environment; and ensure that our scholars have the resources they need to meet academic expectations. 

The Details

Key Deliverables:

• Develop and adapt individualized teaching methods that are suitable for each scholar
• Performs a variety of assessments and observations to determine the areas in which students may need extra or modified educational services. Assessment areas may include academic performance, behavior, social development, or physical health
• Identifies students’ needs and develops related lesson and teaching plans
• Develops individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensures each student’s activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
• Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting the  required specifications of IEPs and 504 plans
• Implements IEPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, continually tracks progress, and makes modifications as necessary
• Collaborates with classroom and homeroom teachers to ensure each student’s needs are met, and plans are followed

Experience and Education Requirements:

• A passion for working with students and families in under-served communities
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Special Education from an accredited college or university, with appropriate endorsements, if applicable
• Valid State Teacher License or enrolled in a credentialing program
• Effective pedagogical skills driven by standards and data-driven assessment
• Experience tracking and using data to drive instruction
• Demonstrate organizational and technology skills to encourage scholar engagement

The Network:
PLA is a transformative education nonprofit changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model.  In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage), and a workforce development program (Skilled US) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students. This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities and expanded income opportunities.  

The Campus: 
Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), founded in 2013 in honor of George and Veronica Phalen, is proud to announce the launch of its newest school, PLA Gary. Guided by our core values, Children First, Respect, Determination, Continuous Improvement, and Gratitude, PLA continues its mission to ensure that all children, no matter their zip code, receive a high-quality education.

As the largest Black-founded and led school turnaround operator in the nation, PLA currently serves nearly 10,000 scholars across 20 schools nationwide and has transformed 12 F-rated schools into A-rated successes. Our nonprofit network of elementary, middle, and high schools is dedicated to empowering teachers, engaging families, and partnering with communities to raise achievement in historically underserved areas.

PLA’s schools are supported by comprehensive wraparound services, including free summer programs, in-school tutoring, job training, and college access support. Together, we’re building great schools—and brighter futures—for every scholar.

Compensation and Benefits:

PLA School Teachers receive a base salary that is competitively aligned with the market. In addition to a base salary, PLA School Teachers receive: 

• Competitive Compensation
• Benefits – Healthcare, vision, and dental insurance
• Professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and being a part of professional communities within the school
• Incentive and bonus opportunities 

 

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. 

 

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.