Special Education Teacher

About Gem Prep

Gem Prep is a K-12 college preparatory school. Our goal is to have all secondary students graduate from high school with an associate degree. Our elementary program builds a strong academic foundation for grades 6-12.

Gem Prep schools are part of the Gem Innovation Schools organization, serving students across Idaho via large brick-and-mortar charter schools, a statewide virtual school, and micro school-like settings called Learning Societies. Learn more at www.gemprep.org.

Our Mission: To prepare students for success in college by providing a high-quality, personalized, relevant, and rigorous education through exceptional teaching, innovative uses of technology, and partnerships with families.

Student & Staff Competencies:

Gem Prep students develop the following competencies by the time they graduate high school. Gem Prep staff are expected to possess each of these same competencies.

• Self-Aware, Self-Directed, Self-Disciplined
• Creative Problem-Solver
• Skilled Communicator and Collaborator
• Civic-Minded

Position Summary

The Special Education Teacher is responsible for providing and overseeing instruction through both digital and face-to-face components. The role includes planning, preparing, and delivering instruction while ensuring the success of all students. Collaboration and data-driven decisions are used to create a powerful learning experience for every student.

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Preparation

• Set ambitious, measurable expectations for student achievement.
• Internalize and prepare high-quality lessons to deliver excellent instruction tailored to student needs.
• Determine use of instructional time within fixed schedules (digital software, large/small group learning, etc.).
• Plan each day to maximize instructional minutes.
• Utilize assessments that accurately measure student progress.

Classroom Environment

• Maintain high expectations for behavior and engagement.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to both collaborative and individual learning.
• Establish a culture of respect, enthusiasm, and rapport.

Instruction

• Hold students accountable for measurable standards of academic achievement.
• Address students’ social, emotional, behavioral, organizational, and time-management needs.
• Use a variety of techniques to engage students in their learning.
• Communicate with students and parents about academic progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of IEP’s for a designated caseload, ensuring all goals are measurable and relevant. 
• Collect and analyze data to track student progress towards IEP goals.
• Schedule and facilitate IEP meetings and 504 reviews. 
• Collaborate with general education teachers to ensure students receive their mandated accommodations and modifications in a least restrictive environment. 
• Administer and interpret formal and informal educational assessments to determine eligibility and instructional levels. 
• Provide direction and training to paraprofessionals assigned to your classroom or caseload to ensure student needs are met. 
• Seek and respond to feedback from supervisors and colleagues.
• Collaborate with teachers to analyze data, group students, and plan interventions.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Provide support outside of class time (lunch, evenings, weekends, etc.).
• Contribute to student recruitment activities and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Valid Idaho Special Education Teacher certificate (or ability to obtain).

Working at Gem Prep

We hire and develop excellent educators and provide strong support. We value:

• Results.  Gem Prep works relentlessly to create efficient, measurable, and sustainable results. We strive for excellence and pursue our mission tenaciously. Ideally, you thrive working in a fluid environment where flexibility and tenacity are required.
• Innovation. We embrace new approaches and ideas that have a powerful impact on learning and teaching, achieving success for every student. We believe that today’s students need schools that dramatically rethink the traditional learning and teaching process for the success of every student.   The status quo is not acceptable.  
• Integrity. We are truthful, fair, and trustworthy in all aspects of our work. We expect the same of you.
• Humility. If you are humble and teachable, this will be a powerful learning experience for you.  Your humility will be key to building trusted and authentic relationships as well as the key to your professional growth. We also understand that you bring valuable experiences and knowledge that will lift our team.
• Teamwork. We value each of our team members as individuals but believe that we achieve the greatest results by working together.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Gem Innovation Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or other protected status. Preference may be extended to eligible veterans in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
Gem Innovation Schools is a drug-free workplace, and adherence to this policy is a condition of employment.