(2026-2027) Special Education Teacher, Mercy School of Special Learning

DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN

Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown

Position Description

Job Title: Special Education Teacher (2026-2027 academic year)

FLSA: Exempt

Job Status: Full-time

Reporting Functions: Reports to the School Principal

Job Function: The Special Education Teacher will coordinate and provide developmentally appropriate educational services to students whose abilities differ from their peers. Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.

****NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A TEACHER APPLICATION, COVER LETTER, AND RESUME TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

Responsibilities:

• Performs a variety of assessments and observations to determine the areas in which the student may need extra or modified educational services.

• Assessment areas may include academic performance, behavior, social development, or physical health.

• Identifies and develops an integrated plan for the education of each child by collaborating with classroom teachers, parents, psychologists, social workers, and other medical and school staff.

• Develops individualized education programs (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 required specifications of IEPs and 504 plans.

• Implements IEPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, and continually tracks progress and makes modifications, as necessary.

• Ensures programs comply with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that is properly modified for his/her individual needs.

• Develops, completes, and maintains all paperwork mandated by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.

• Maintains knowledge of special education teaching methods, research, and best practices through professional development and study.

• Establishes and enforces classroom management structure and rules that ensure the academic engagement and the physical and mental safety of all students.

• Actively supervises students in hallways before, after, and between classes, in a library, in the cafeteria, in bus areas, and at special events, ensuring safety and security.

• Maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters including social media and online platforms. Follow all policies upheld at Mercy School for Special Learning and the Allentown Diocese as per the teacher's handbook.

• Consistently displays professionalism and is collaborative with all staff.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Additional Conditions of Employment

Due to the nature and mission of the Catholic Church, all employees are bound to exhibit respect for the teachings and discipline of the Church regarding matters of faith and morals.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education.

• Current PA Teaching Certification.

Other Requirements

• Must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Knowledge of how to navigate through sensitive matters and the ability to support and teach adults with intellectual, physical, and psychological disabilities.

• Possess the ability to work independently, implement plans, demonstrate flexibility, and maintain confidentiality regarding consumer/Program activities.

• Required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment.

• Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances, with a diversity of individuals.

PRIOR TO INTERVIEW: Clear records of Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (PATCH), Pennsylvania Child Abuse History, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Fingerprint Check as required under Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Act 153 of 2014 (at least 1 year old.) As well as attendance at a Protecting God's Children class and Mandated Reporter Training.

Physical Demands: The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear; frequent use of equipment including repetitive motions and computer eye fatigue; possible biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, with occasional stooping, bending, and reaching. The employee must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and attend to the personal care of students. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word: hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Working Conditions: Normal classroom setting with working hours of 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Monday through Friday. May be required to work outside normal hours to attend meetings, open houses, and workshops.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements.

Please use this link to access the Diocese of Allentown's Teacher Application:

AllentownDiocese/Employment

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, clearances, and teacher application via iSolved Hire or to the following:

Principal Beth Grys

Email: bgrys@mercyschool.org

EOE M/F/D/V