Are you ready to finally have the freedom to embrace a whole child, holistic approach in special education?
Phoenix Modern is seeking a certified Special Education Teacher and Director who demonstrates the following characteristics:
- Care for the well-being and growth of children
- Genuine trust in children and an interest in finding their strengths
- Playful and curious spirit with a passion for learner-centered curriculum design
- Entrepreneurial with a strong desire to play a major role in building a new school model in Phoenix
- Strong work ethic and consistent follow through
- Continually self reflective with the intent to improve
- Committed to creating and embracing different types of diversity
- Strategic, with the ability to approach situations with optimism and perseverance
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES for the role include:
Director related responsibilities:
- Serves as the LEA specialist in special education law; specifically, state and federal statutes and regulations
- Oversees and monitors all school initiatives related to special education to ensure compliance
- Oversees the Special Education Census
- Serves as a liaison to the Department of Education on special education matters
- Works in cooperation with state and community health and social welfare agencies
- Conducts or facilitates ongoing staff development opportunities for special education staff, regular education staff, and administrators, in relation to Special Education.
- Prepares all reports as required by the Department of Education
- Writes and supervises all special education grants
- Participates in IEP meetings, MET meetings, and Manifestation
- Determination Hearings, as appropriate.
- Conducts research and keeps abreast of new developments in the field
- Provides leadership in the planning and development of additional special education services
- Prepares Request For Proposals for purchased services in a timely manner
- Oversees contract service providers in relation to Special Education services
- Works with the Executive Director and Campus Director to ensure compliance with Arizona Assessment Programs
- Evaluates other Special Education staff as assigned
- Performs other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor
Teacher related responsibilities include:
Build a loving community
- Speak with children in a friendly, positive, courteous manner; listen to children with attention and respect.
- Foster a safe, and inclusive community and culture of care among learners by developing rituals and routines
- Engage learners in restorative conversations
- Co-develop authentic systems for accountability aligned to our learning approach
Create rich learning experiences
- Work collaboratively with general education teachers and provide support around differentiating instruction in the general education learning studio
- Inspire learner curiosity by asking thought provoking questions, engaging in playful inquiry alongside learners, and creating learning provocations
- Plan and facilitate a variety of learning experiences, ranging from small group instruction, to workshops, to 1:1 conferencing
- Provide challenges, frameworks, processes, tools and world class examples to support excellence in learning
- Elevate learners’ voices, critical thinking, and perspective-taking by facilitating small group Socratic discussions
- Promote problem solving through open-ended questions and suggestions
Monitor and document individual learning
- Monitor and support academic progress for core skills; hold students accountable
- Document various data-points to illustrate each learner’s holistic growth
Support student-led exhibitions of learning for special education learners
- Communicate with parents about learners’ progress
Contributing to the Phoenix Modern Community
- Contribute collaboratively to the betterment of our community
- Identify ways to serve others and add value to our team
- Be present and on time for team and community gatherings
Who are we?
Phoenix Modern is reimagining the design and approach of school for learners age 5- 14. The 2022-2023 school year will be our fourth year of operation. We value wonder, love, joy, and growth for children. Our purpose is to support a diverse community of learners in developing the skills, mindset, and character that best prepare them for positive, healthy and productive engagement in the world.
Our instructional approach at Phoenix Modern provides children with significant opportunities to play an active role in their own learning and shape the community. In a typical day, learners engage in self-paced core skill development using a variety of tools and resources, participate in guided discussions, and immerse themselves in multi-week projects and workshops. Our mixed-age studios are prepared for between 20-25 learners, representing 2-3 levels in each studio. Our special education team supports about 15-20% of the learners at Phoenix Modern. These learners each have different learning challenges and strengths including specific learning disabilities, developmental delay, speech and OT, downsyndrome and autism.
Learn more at www.phoenixmodern.org
The salary for this position is competitive with similar roles and depends on experience. Compensation also includes additional benefits and ample time off.
The proposed start date is July 2022 with some additional training opportunities available earlier.
Before applying, please be sure to:
1. Watch video
2. Explore our website, including descriptions of our program and blog post.