Austin Achieve Public Schools is a tuition-free, open-enrollment public charter school district preparing Austin youth to attend and excel at the nation’s top colleges and universities. Our educators are passionate advocates for our scholars and their families, committed to closing the opportunity gap for underserved communities. At Austin Achieve, you are joining a network of individuals committed to excellence. We have ambitious plans to scale our system to serve the children in our communities better and are looking for educators who are ready to drive transformative change.
The Elementary Special Education Lifeskills Teacher is responsible for providing specialized instruction, supports, and services to scholars with significant cognitive, adaptive, behavioral, communication, and/or physical needs in order to help them access the curriculum and make meaningful progress toward individualized goals. The Lifeskills Teacher creates a structured, supportive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment designed to promote academic growth, functional independence, communication, social-emotional development, and successful participation in school routines. The teacher works collaboratively with families, related service providers, paraprofessionals, and campus staff to implement each scholar’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) with fidelity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Plans and delivers specially designed instruction aligned to each scholar’s IEP, present levels of academic and functional performance, and identified needs in academic, functional, behavioral, communication, and adaptive skill areas.
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Develops and implements lessons, activities, materials, and instructional supports that are individualized, engaging, and appropriate for scholars with significant support needs.
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Creates a classroom environment that is structured, safe, predictable, and conducive to learning, while supporting scholars’ physical, social, emotional, and behavioral development.
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Implements accommodations, modifications, behavior supports, personal care supports, health-related procedures within role expectations, and other required services in accordance with each scholar’s IEP and applicable plans.
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Participates in the ARD/IEP process by contributing to the development of present levels, measurable annual goals, service recommendations, behavior supports, progress updates, and transition planning as applicable.
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Monitors scholar progress on academic, behavioral, and functional IEP goals using formal and informal measures, and adjusts instruction based on data.
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Collaborates with general education teachers, related service providers, evaluation staff, paraprofessionals, administrators, and families to ensure coordinated support for scholars across settings.
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Plans, directs, and supervises the work of assigned paraprofessionals to ensure consistent implementation of instructional programming, behavior supports, personal care procedures, and classroom routines.
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Supports scholars in developing communication, self-regulation, social interaction, adaptive behavior, and daily living skills that increase independence and access to the school environment.
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Assists with scholar transitions within the school day and across grade levels, including preparation for changes in routines, instructional settings, staffing supports, and future programming.
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Implements effective behavior management and de-escalation strategies in accordance with district expectations, IEPs, behavior intervention plans, and scholar safety needs.
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Provides or supervises personal care and support for scholars, including toileting, feeding, mobility, hygiene, positioning, and other essential daily living needs as required by the scholar’s individualized program.
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Maintains accurate, timely, and legally compliant documentation related to IEP implementation, progress monitoring, service delivery, communication, incident reporting, and other required records.
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Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, campus problem-solving meetings, staff meetings, professional development, and other required school or district activities.
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Uses instructional technology, adaptive equipment, and assistive tools to support scholar learning, participation, and communication.
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Develops and maintains professional, collaborative relationships with scholars, families, colleagues, and community partners.
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Maintains confidentiality of scholar information and complies with all district, state, and federal requirements related to special education services.
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Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect scholars, equipment, materials, and facilities.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree required.
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Valid Texas teaching certificate required, including Special Education certification. Appropriate core content certification preferred or required based on assignment.
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Experience teaching scholars with significant disabilities and intensive support needs in a school setting preferred.
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Experience working with multilingual learners and scholars from low-income and historically underserved communities preferred.
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Knowledge of special education laws, instructional practices, behavior supports, and IEP implementation required.
Knowledge and Skills:
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Deep-seated belief in the mission and vision of Austin Achieve.
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Be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure all scholars reach their full potential.
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Strong instructional skills in delivering specially designed instruction for scholars with significant academic and functional needs.
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Strong knowledge of IEP development and implementation, progress monitoring, accommodations, modifications, and behavior support practices.
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Knowledge of child development, functional skill development, adaptive behavior, communication support, and social-emotional learning.
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Ability to create structured classroom systems and maintain a safe, supportive, and highly responsive learning environment.
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Ability to supervise paraprofessionals effectively and build strong collaborative partnerships with staff and families.
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Strong time management, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
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Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
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Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of scholars, parents, teachers, administrators, and service providers.
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Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve as a professional through feedback, coaching, and professional development.
Physical Demands and Environmental Factors:
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Frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, pulling, pushing, twisting, lifting, and carrying.
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May require lifting, positioning, and assisting scholars with physical disabilities or mobility needs.
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May require assisting nonambulatory scholars and moving adaptive equipment or classroom furniture.
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May require implementation of approved physical management strategies in accordance with district training and scholar safety needs.
Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status. People of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
