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The SchooL. the opportunity​.

 

Just over 40 students are held at the YSC and attend school on a daily basis. There are two fairly distinct groups of students at THS One group, generally those facing juvenile charges, is held at the YSC, on average, for approximately two weeks.  The second group, generally those facing adult charges, often remain at the YSC for six to nine months.  Nearly all of the students who pass through the YSC have faced school failure--many did not attend school regularly and have been suspended or expelled, most are far behind their peers academically, and 30-40% of them have special education needs. They all, though, have hopes and dreams, skills and talents, and family and friends who care for them.

 

At the School, our mission will be to provide each student we serve with the best educational experience of his or her life, to ensure that each is successful in our School and finds a reason to be excited about learning, and to prepare each student to succeed when they return home.

 

Position Description​

 

The Special Education Teacher will play a critical role in establishing the academic foundation and educational climate at the Travis Hill School. This will be an incredibly rewarding and demanding job--one that requires teachers who are fully committed to the students at THS and who are fully invested in doing anything and everything to make education happen there. We are looking for teachers who truly believe all students can succeed, who believe that students who are detained or incarcerated deserve the best education possible, and who are relentless and won’t stop working when it gets difficult. We want teachers who are grounded in doing what is right and just, who are self-reflective and aren’t afraid to ask for help, and who are willing and open to trying new and innovative ways to reach students.

 

For the right person, this is the perfect job.

 

We are looking for English, math, science, social studies and special education teachers, with a preference for teachers who can teach at both the middle and high school level, and who are dually certified in a content area and special education.  

 

This position description applies to the 1 to 2 teachers who we will be bringing on in a more targeted role as a Special Education Teacher and/or Reading Specialist.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

 

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

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• Developing and implementing project and theme-based modules that will define the school-wide curricular framework at THS, and aligning the modules and instructional with key Louisiana standards

• Integrating blended learning into the fabric of planning and instruction, in order to make learning more engaging, more targeted and more student centered

• Creating a classroom and school environment that features a rich diversity of resources, engages student interest, promotes student leadership and stimulates student learning

• Developing and implementing classroom and school-wide positive, incentive based plans designed to promote prosocial, achievement oriented, and values centered student behavior

• Developing and maintaining productive working relationships with YSC secure care staff--both in school and by participating in agreed to unit-based activities and meetings

• Working with the Director of Student Support Services & Special Education to develop sound academic plans for students with special needs, and to establish manageable tools to ensure the development of programing to meet those needs

• Participating in IEP conferences and related administrative meetings

• Providing one-on-one and small group instruction to students, either by ‘pushing in’ and supporting students in a traditional classroom setting, or through pull-outs and tutorial settings--both to meet agreed-to IEP goals and to address the reading and literacy needs of students

• Supporting other teachers--both formally and informally--with strategies and tools to help them meet the wide-ranging needs of students

• Managing administrative assignments effectively and with a high level of professionalism and integrity

• Modeling and contributing to a school culture built on hope and high expectations for achievement

• Building positive, lasting relationships with students and families as well as key student support networks, including, volunteers, local attorneys, case management and after care staff

• Contributing your talent, creativity and passion to enrich the range of academic and enrichment activities the School can offer to students in our care

• Understanding and committing to what it means to be a teacher during the start-up phase of a school, and to what it means to work with student who are detained, including taking on roles and functions that extend beyond those of a traditional teacher working in a traditional environment

 

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:
 

• Two or more years of teaching experience, preferably as a special education teacher or reading specialist

• Experience with and a commitment to working with students with significant academic and socio-emotional challenges--and supporting them to achieve at high levels

• Comfort with legal and administrative/compliance aspects of IDEA; strong organizational and administrative skills

• An understanding of what it means to make learning relevant and meaningful

• Familiarity with project based learning and performance-based assessment strategies

• Interest in using technology and blended learning

• An unyielding belief that with the appropriate supports, coupled with high expectations, all students can significantly improve their academic skills, and can develop pro-social and culturally normative behaviors that will enable them to succeed at school and beyond

• Firm belief that all students have strengths and talents and that a good teacher helps students find these and use them to address weaknesses or overcome fears

• Embrace and nurture a school culture that requires all staff to work beyond the traditional school hours and school year in order to create an environment filled with hope and high expectations, where students will radically improve their academic, employment and socio-emotional skills

• Possess an unrelenting belief that all students can achieve and succeed

salary and benefits

 

CEEAS will be offering staff at THS a competitive salary and benefits package.  Salary for the Teacher position will be on par with local schools, adjusted for our increased academic year, and based on skills and experience.  CEEAS will offer a 403(b) plan for all staff, and provide a 3% employer contribution once staff has worked for six months. CEEAS will provide health coverage for all staff and will cover approximately 80% of the monthly premiums.  

 

The teaching position is a 10 month, full-time position, based on a modified school calendar. Teachers at the THS work an additional 3 - 4 weeks per year, compared to most teachers at many schools in the New Orleans area, and have most, but not all of the same days off as local teachers.

 

Additional information on salary and benefits will be available for  staff in August  2017.