Special Education Teacher

Avondale Meadow Middle School

Located in one of Indianapolis’s most underserved communities, the Avondale Meadows Middle School (AMMS) is a tuition-free, 5-8 public charter school currently in its fifth year in operation. We are diverse collection of families, educators and volunteers committed to equipping our students with the strongest possible preparation for success in Indianapolis’s most demanding, college-preparatory high schools. 

AMMS employs a rigorous and engaging curriculum aligned to state standards.  Our teachers use a wide breath of effective instructional strategies, innovative tools and technology and a variety of services to challenge and support students to meet ambitious academic goals. We find creative, engaging ways to involve parents in our work helping students build not only their academic skills but also habits of curiosity, kindness, focus and persistence essential to college and life success. 

The Position

AMMS is looking for a skill, knowledgeable educator dedicated to support student with IEPs as they work towards success. The candidate we hire will be part of a team, providing coordinated support as well as direct instruction for a subset of AMMS scholars who are reading below grade level. Some students may have a diagnosed learning disability and an IEP; other may simply not be making sufficient academic progress and need extra support. Our Special Education teachers will work closely with grade-level teachers to identify struggling students and the specific gaps in their learning and tailor support to address the specific needs of these learners. The intervention team will employ a variety of assessments to diagnoses needs and measure progress. As needed, our Intervention Specialists will also convene IEP meetings and student evaluations and oversee the more traditional aspects of special education associated with students in his/her care. 

The Special Education (Intervention Specialist) position is devised to address the needs of our students as well as the Response-to-Intervention model we are implementing in our school. We are looking for a skilled, dedicated educator interested in being part of a close-knit team committed to doing everything possible to ensure our students leave our school prepared for the most challenging, college-preparatory middle and high schools in the city of Indianapolis. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position will meet the following qualifications:

• A valid Indiana certification in area of elementary/secondary education and special education
• Experience working with children, especially students who have a diagnosed learning disability or simply have struggled to build the academic skills fundamental to school success.
• Strong curriculum knowledge and familiarity with literacy development as well as the range of disabilities and conditions that affect learning and how children grow.
• The instructional and management tools necessary to provide diverse students at varying skill levels with a safe, supportive environment to grow and do their very best work.
• Experience involving families (parents, grandparents and guardians) as well as the community in support of children’s academic and social development
• Excellent writing and overall communication skills
• A cooperative, energetic disposition and capacity to work in concert with a team. 
• The capacity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment relentlessly focused on high standards and achieving ambitious goals for our young students.
• Leadership potential and willingness to take initiative in addressing issues in and outside the classroom in order to continuously improve the overall quality of the AMMS program

To apply for this position, please visit: https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/United-Schools-Indy

Questions of interest or clarification of this position should be directed to:

Chrystal Westerhaus, Principal – cwesterhaus@avondalemeadowsms.org