Making Waves Academy·Richmond, California
Deliver high-impact Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) through push-in and pull-out support to help students meet IEP goals. Manage inclusive classroom environments and use quantitative and qualitative data to inform instructional practices.
Our Faculty salary scale ensures equitable pay progression commensurate with experience, education, and professional certifications.
Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 (academic year).
Faculty Salary Scale Our Mission: Commitment to Intergenerational Change When you join Making Waves Academy (MWA), you are committing to interrupt inequity by supporting every Wave-Maker’s journey to a rewarding life dream.
This role is instrumental in ensuring rigorous, holistic support for students from the 5th grade to career success.
We seek a data-driven leader and advocate ready to make a lasting impact on our students and the community.
What you’ll be doing… At Making Waves Academy, we value the expertise of our Special Education Teachers as leaders of inclusion and instructional adaptation.
We offer a professional environment where you will focus on delivering high-impact Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) and driving measurable academic growth for students with IEPs.
Our model emphasizes full collaboration with general education colleagues to seamlessly integrate students, ensuring they have meaningful access to rigorous grade-level curriculum throughout the school day.
Your Core Deliverables: Provide Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI), primarily through push-in support combined with pull-out support focusing on targeted interventions in reading, writing, math, and general academic support to ensure student progress toward IEP goals.
Establish and maintain a well-organized, structured, and inclusive classroom environment.
Implement and maintain a positive behavior support program using appropriate techniques that complement student treatment.
Administer, analyze, and reflect upon quantitative and qualitative student data (including IEP progress data, school-wide benchmarks, and classroom data) to inform instructional practice.
Write high-quality, effective IEPs, IEP goals, and IEP progress reports.
You’ll need to have: Bachelor's degree and strong content area knowledge, and valid state teaching credential or eligibility to obtain one (support is provided for eligible applicants).
CA Education Specialist Instruction Credential in [Mild/Moderate Support Needs), CLAD/BCLAD, and 3+ years’ experience in a special education setting is preferred.
Highly organized, goal-oriented, resilient, and possess a strong desire to work collaboratively in a team-first setting.
Unwavering commitment to closing achievement gaps and raising student expectations.
While not required, fluency in Spanish will be a significant advantage in this role, allowing for broader engagement with our diverse campus community.
Equal Employment Opportunity Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer.
We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.
Compensation and Benefits Joining Making Waves Academy means securing a robust, comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your long-term financial, physical, and professional well-being right here in the Bay Area.
We ensure your stability and growth so you can focus on maximizing every Wave-Maker's potential.
Financial Well-being We offer competitive, above-market salaries that reflect your vital expertise in educational support, recognizing your commitment to our students.
Beyond your base pay, you will have immediate access to a dedicated retirement savings plan, helping you build financial confidence for the future.
Health and Wellness Your health is our priority.
We proudly cover 100% of most premiums for medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and acupuncture options for you and your family.
We also offer benefits such as employee assistance programs to support your mental and emotional wellness.
Time to Recharge We believe educators need time to recharge.
You will receive generous paid time off, plus all school holidays and breaks.
This schedule is designed to ensure meaningful time away from campus, facilitating a sustainable and healthy work-life balance that is critical to preventing burnout.
Professional Growth We commit to your continuous improvement! You will benefit from ongoing training, dedicated collaboration time, and resources specifically designed to enhance your instructional and behavioral support expertise. You’ll be part of a culture that sees professional growth as essential to our mission.
Requires a Bachelor's degree and a valid state teaching credential, with a preference for a CA Education Specialist Instruction Credential and 3+ years of experience. Candidates should be goal-oriented and committed to closing achievement gaps.
Market context
Special Education Teacher openings in California are often driven by ongoing district needs for credentialed educators who can support diverse learners in inclusive settings. These roles are competitive because a valid California Education Specialist Credential and experience in Mod/Severe or ESN classrooms can set candidates apart. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then tailor your application to highlight classroom experience, student-centered practice, and credential status.
