Special Education Teacher

Fort Worth STEAM Academy (FWSA) is launching a **tuition-free** public charter **middle school** in East Fort Worth, opening **August 2026**. Our mission is to prepare every student for success in high school, college, and career through a **rigorous STEAM-focused education**, a **joyful culture of high expectations**, and **strong community partnerships**. As a founding team member, you won’t just take a job—you’ll help build a safe, structured, joyful school where curiosity and excellence thrive. Special Education Teachers deliver **specially designed instruction (SDI)** aligned to **IEPs** so students with disabilities access and master **TEKS** in the **least restrictive environment (LRE)**. You co-plan and co-teach with general educators, provide accommodations and modifications with fidelity (IDEA/Section 504/ADA), collect progress-monitoring data toward IEP goals, and partner with families through the **ARD/IEP** process to ensure every student grows. **Reports to:** Dean of Instruction **Directly Manages:** None **Location:** Fort Worth, TX (on-site) **Schedule:** Full-time, school calendar **Anticipated Start Date:** **July 2026** **Achievement:** Set bold, measurable goals, use data relentlessly, own outcomes, and prioritize high-impact work. **Teamwork:** Collaborate across roles, communicate directly with empathy, uphold high standards, and put the team above ego. **Continuous Improvement:** Seek feedback fast, find root causes, iterate on systems, and treat setbacks as learning data. **Innovation:** Spot problems early, test bold ideas quickly, share learnings, and scale what works to advance the mission. **Instruction & SDI (IEP-Aligned)** Design/internalize lessons that provide **access to TEKS** via accommodations, modifications, and assistive technology as required by the **IEP**. Deliver **specially designed instruction** in inclusive, co-teach, small-group, and/or resource settings per service minutes. Collaborate with general educators to embed supports into Tier 1 instruction and assignments. **Assessment, Data & Progress Monitoring** Implement progress-monitoring plans for each IEP goal; maintain timely, accurate data and **issue goal progress reports each grading period**. Use CFAs/interims and classroom work to plan reteach, small groups, and **accelerated instruction**; adjust SDI based on evidence. Ensure testing **designated supports** (STAAR/STAAR Alt 2/TELPAS) are implemented and documented per ARD decisions. **ARD/IEP Compliance & Family Partnership** Serve as a **case manager**: draft IEPs (PLAAFP, goals/objectives, services, accommodations), prepare progress data, and **meet state/IDEA timelines** (annual reviews, evaluations/reevaluations). Participate in and/or chair **ARD** meetings as assigned; provide plain-language updates to families and follow up on action items. Safeguard student privacy (FERPA/IDEA Confidentiality) and maintain audit-ready records. **Behavior Support & MTSS Collaboration** Implement **BIPs** with fidelity; collaborate on FBAs with the evaluation team/LSSP as needed. Use proactive, relationship-based management to sustain a **safe, structured, joyful** classroom and reduce instructional time lost to behaviors. Document Tier 2/3 interventions and communicate trends to the Dean of Culture and student support teams. **Professional Learning & Team Contribution** Engage in weekly coaching and bi-weekly PD; implement bite-size action steps and reflect on results. Contribute actively to **PLCs** (lesson internalization, data analysis, student work), model inclusion practices, and co-plan with teammates. Support campus duties (arrival, transitions, lunch, dismissal) and take accurate attendance for your classes/groups. **Minimum Qualifications** Bachelor’s degree. **Valid Texas Special Education teacher certification** (appropriate grade band). Demonstrated success improving outcomes for students with disabilities in inclusive and/or resource settings. Knowledge of **IDEA**, **Section 504**, **ADA**, Texas **ARD** process, IEP development, **BIP/FBA**, and instructional accommodations/modifications. Skilled at data collection/analysis (CFAs/interims/progress monitoring) to plan SDI and interventions; strong collaboration and communication skills. **Preferred Qualifications** Additional **Texas content certification(s)** and/or experience as a co-teacher in core subjects. **ESL certification** and experience supporting Emergent Bilingual students with disabilities. Familiarity with **T-TESS**, assistive technology, and STAAR/STAAR Alt 2/TELPAS designated supports. **Required:** Valid Texas **Special Education** certification; **DPS fingerprint clearance** per **Texas Education Code §22.0835**. **Encouraged/Preferred:** **ESL** certification; current training in crisis prevention/de-escalation (e.g., CPI); CPR/First Aid (as applicable).