YouthBuild Philly·Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Special Education Teacher will manage a caseload of students by conducting IEP meetings, monitoring progress, and developing specialized instruction. They will also provide daily mentorship to a cohort of students and collaborate with interdepartmental teams to support academic and workforce readiness.
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter high school, with a singular focus on supporting youth aged 17-20 who have been pushed out of traditional schools. During our 1-year alternative program, Youthbuild facilitates a warm, loving culture that uses a variety of structures to build community, such as a restorative-justice approach to discipline, weekly community meetings, and school-wide service projects. Students are empowered to attain their high school diploma and vocational certifications, while receiving unconditional support by the staff around them. At YouthBuild, we work intentionally to disrupt the cycle of poverty and support our students to achieve post-secondary success (4-year college, 2-year college, vocational training program, or liveable wage job). Visit https://www.youthbuildphilly.org/ to learn more.
The YouthBuild Special Education Teacher is caring, persistent, and devoted to the development of their students. They create a strength based approach in order to help their students improve on their individual qualities, and aid them both in their academics and workforce development programs. The Special Education Teacher offers unconditional support, whether that is learning-based, emotional or behavioral for students with identified needs. They assist the general education teacher in accommodating the current curriculum to fit the needs of our youth, students are given the tools to succeed in the post secondary world with learning they can relate to. Outside the classroom, they are a mentor to 4-5 students, to guarantee their success here at Youthbuild.
You are/have… Invested in our core values - Respect, Excellence and Perseverance. Equity-focused and believe that all students can achieve. Passionate about community service and civic engagement. Excited to mentor students and support them throughout their time at YouthBuild and beyond. Collaborative and dedicated to personal and professional development. A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university; Master’s Degree strongly preferred. Three to five years’ experience teaching Special Education. A current PA teaching certificate in Special Education.
What
You’ll Do: Write special education documents, conduct IEP meetings, and monitor student progress for the assigned caseload of students for progress notes each session. Create and maintain Special Education student files, both digitally and in hard copy. Revise IEP goals and objectives for students, as necessary, throughout the year in order to maximize student achievement. Collaborate with academic and workforce-development teachers to develop and deliver specialized instruction (which may include collaborative planning and push-in instruction) designed to help students achieve personal learning goals. Develop and implement small group lessons and instruction aligned to IEP goals. Conduct academic-achievement assessments using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, 3rd edition (WIAT-III)—selected subtests and Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, 3rd edition —Reading and Math Fluency subtests for re-evaluations of students on an assigned caseload of students. Obtain student interest and emotional regulation data via a student interest survey and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, 2nd edition (RADS-2) for re-evaluations of students on an assigned caseload of students. Facilitate student, teacher and family input surveys for IEP meetings, reevaluations, and transition planning. Facilitate one section of Senior Seminar daily, guiding students through research projects, presentations, and discussions to support their academic and post-secondary readiness. Work with Student Advisors and Counseling teams to ensure student success. Track student progress, give frequent actionable feedback to students and communicate student progress to the greater community through PowerSchool. Work in interdepartmental teams to support the success of a group of students as they move through our rigorous program. Participate in a highly collaborative, fluid school culture that requires strong interpersonal skills and flexibility. Provide mentorship to a cohort of 4–5 students, offering consistent academic and personal support to help them stay on track toward meeting graduation requirements. Perform other duties, as assigned by the Director of Specialized Services.
You: Generous time off Medical, dental, and vision insurance Flexible spending accounts 401(k) savings plan with an employer match Employer paid parental leave, life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability Educational assistance and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and career growth Supportive and collaborative work environment Strong community support and involvement
New YouthBuild staff can expect a starting salary of between $60,000-$68,000 based on years of experience, education, and certifications, if applicable.
During the application process, applicants will have the opportunity to discuss our employee total rewards package and additional benefits.
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and a current PA teaching certificate in Special Education, with a Master's degree strongly preferred. Applicants should have three to five years of experience in special education and a commitment to equity-focused, strength-based teaching.
Market context
In Pennsylvania, classroom teacher openings often draw candidates with early-childhood or childcare experience, especially when child development knowledge and classroom routines are part of the role. These positions can be competitive because employers look for strong organization, communication, time management, and current First Aid/CPR certification. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then confirm the original posting for any credential or schedule details before applying.