25-26 Middle School Education Specialist (Special Education Teacher)

Title: Education Specialist

Division: Upper School

Location: Beta Academy (San Pablo)/ChangeMakers Academy (Vallejo)

Reports to: Program Specialist

Status: Full-time, Exempt, (During the Academic Year)

Salary Scale: $61,500-104,000 (based on years of experience and expertise) 

• Scales are competitive with other charter school organizations and local districts.

Accounting Code: [1110-Teacher Salaries] – [5001-D01 Special Education Program]

About Caliber Public Schools

Caliber’s Mission is to achieve educational equity by shifting the experiences, expectations and outcomes for students in historically underserved communities. Our strengths-based educational program validates, affirms, respects and supports students, families and staff members to reach their full potential. Caliber graduates will be academically college ready; have emotional intelligence or ‘EQ’; be critical thinkers, and have the skills and desire to be changemakers in their communities and the world..

Caliber’s four graduate pillars–Heart, Smart, Think, Act–guide our work. Caliber teaches computer science as a core academic subject K-8th grade to directly challenge the inequitable presence of women and underrepresented minorities in the computer science industry. We are a community-based organization and celebrate the diversity of the communities we serve. Our parents are active partners; frequently engaging through school events, restorative practices, and academic support. 

As we grow, we are looking for educators and leaders who want the opportunity to use their voice to build something new; to be a part of a team that’s building something from the ground up. Our first school, Beta Academy in Richmond, CA, opened in 2014 and ChangeMakers Academy in Vallejo, CA opened in fall 2016. We plan to open additional schools in future years as we grow to nearly 4,000 seats TK-12 in the Bay Area.

Position Summary 

We are looking for compassionate, exceptional educators to join our special education team! You’ll work collectively with your grade level colleagues and SpEd team to support our SpEd students in reaching their academic and life goals. You will be encouraged and supported to lead engaging and personalized lessons that integrate all of our pillars: Heart, Smart, Think, and Act.

You will use data to drive your instruction, consistently assessing and reassessing student learning to ensure each child’s personalized learning plan addresses their unique needs and goals for growth. You will support your students’ holistic development by implementing social-emotional programming including Restorative Justice, Mindfulness and PBIS – Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. You will build meaningful relationships with families because you believe they are partners, and play a critical role in student success. You will also receive weekly training and support through high-quality professional development and tailored one-on-one coaching.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop & implement Individualized Education Programs.
• Review student records and document service delivery.
• Assess students’ academic and behavioral needs.
• Write academic reports, present levels of performance, goals, and Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Engage in the decision-making process regarding special education placement of students.
• Participate in Individualized Education Program meetings.
• Communicate regularly with parents and care providers to promote generalization of skills to the home environment.
• Plan, organize, and schedule calendar for IEP meetings, initial and triennial evaluations.
• Meet with instructional staff for the purpose of planning, evaluating or problem solving student needs and interventions.
• Prepare material specifically designed for the benefit of individual students.
• Provide academic and behavioral resource services to students with IEPs. 
• Provide academic and behavioral interventions to students with learning challenges.
• Maintain special education compliance according to district guidelines.
• Demonstrate an asset-based perspective of students from diverse backgrounds, using their experiences as resources for learning vs. excuses or problems to overcome.
• Provide students opportunities to learn who they are and where they come from.
• Consistently reflect on own biases/perceptions/ pedagogical practices and mitigates the negative impact on students through culturally responsive practices.

Working Conditions:

Environment:

This job operates in a school/classroom environment. This role routinely uses standard classroom equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers, whiteboards, fitness equipment, and Chromebooks, etc. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position. 

Physical Abilities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position classification involves sitting with some walking and standing for extended periods of time. Staff may be required to lift, pull or push objects approximately 50 pounds or less. The employee will encounter exposure to ill students. The position requires mobility to climb, kneel, stoop, crawl, reach and bend, and accurate perceiving of sound; near and far vision with the ability to read small print; depth dexterity; and the providing of oral information and direction. The position is primarily located at a school site with outside supervision and some district office visits. The employee will frequently work independently with high work volume and tight deadlines.

Qualifications

Required:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Valid California State Teaching Credential or equivalent and transferable teaching license from another state
• Intern credential accepted

Other Qualifications: 

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• Within 60 days of hire, provision of TB (tuberculin) clearance, as mandated by the California Education Code
• CA DOJ and FBI fingerprint (Livescan) clearance prior to the first day of school
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination OR approved medical or religious exemption

Preferred:

Experience:

• 2 or more years of teaching experience, preferably in a high performing school driving excellent student outcomes.
• Experience working with diverse student populations
• Experience with social-emotional learning and restorative practices.
• Experience integrating technology into the classroom.

Values: 

Caliber staff…

• are committed to a culture of feedback, development and continuous improvement.
• validate and affirm the identities, strengths and passions of each person.
• know that It is everyone’s collective responsibility to work in service of and alongside our school communities.
• approach situations and people with empathy and kindness.

COVID-19

Caliber Public School is committed to the health and safety of its employees, those we serve and our local communities. For this reason, Caliber requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees may also request and receive approval for an exemption from this policy. Exemptions are granted to accommodate a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief. Employee’s granted exemptions are expected to adhere to all weekly testing and safety measures.

Caliber Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Questions? Email [email protected] 

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected]

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