Nashville Metro - Special Education Teacher
WHAT YOU'LL DO
As a Thrive Special Education Teacher you will design and deliver specialized instruction to students K12 with disabilities. You will manage IEP development and implementation, collaborate with related services providers, communicate with families, and serve as an anchor member of the multidisciplinary team supporting your students. You are a full member of the community.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
IEP DEVELOPMENT & CASE MANAGEMENT
Serve as the IEP case manager for an assigned caseload of students with disabilities coordinating evaluation timelines, annual reviews, amendment meetings, and progress reporting in compliance with IDEA and state requirements
Develop individualized IEP goals that are measurable, standards-aligned, and meaningful to each students educational participation and post-secondary trajectory
Write IEP present levels, goals, accommodations, and services sections with clinical and legal precision; ensure all documentation is accurate, timely, and complete
Coordinate with SLPs, OTs, PTs, BCBAs, school psychologists, and mental health clinicians to align related services goals with classroom instruction
Facilitate IEP meetings with families, general education teachers, administrators, and related services providers in a collaborative, family-centered way
SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION & CURRICULUM
Design and deliver differentiated, evidence-based instruction aligned to each students IEP goals and grade-level standards across academic, functional, and communication domains
Implement a range of instructional approaches including explicit instruction, systematic phonics, structured literacy, task analysis, visual supports, and modified curricula matched to each students disability profile
Provide instruction across service delivery models: resource room pull-out, co-teaching in general education, self-contained classrooms, and community-based instruction as appropriate
Monitor student progress toward IEP goals through systematic data collection; use data to adjust instruction in a timely and documented manner
Develop and implement accommodation and modification plans that allow students to access the general education curriculum
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT & BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT
Establish and maintain a structured, positive, and predictable classroom environment that supports student regulation, engagement, and independence
Implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) developed by BCBAs with fidelity; collect required behavioral data and communicate patterns to the behavior team
Apply trauma-informed, positive behavior support approaches that prioritize teaching replacement behaviors and building student self-regulation skills
Supervise and direct paraprofessionals and instructional aides assigned to your classroom, providing clear direction and performance feedback
COLLABORATION & FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Partner with general education teachers on co-teaching, inclusion support, and co-planning for students in the general education setting
Communicate regularly with families about student progress, IEP implementation, and upcoming team decisions in a way that is warm, jargon-free, and culturally responsive
Coordinate with school administrators on scheduling, caseload management, eligibility decisions, and placement recommendations
Collaborate with transition specialists and outside agencies for students approaching post-secondary transition
Participate in building-level professional learning communities, PBIS teams, and RTI/MTSS problem-solving processes
TRANSITION PLANNING
Develop Transition Plans for students age 14 and older (or per state requirement) that are individualized, outcome-oriented, and coordinated with community agencies and post-secondary institutions
Facilitate student-led IEP meetings and self-advocacy skill development as part of the transition process
Connect students and families with community resources, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and adult services agencies
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
Bachelors or masters degree in Special Education or a related field from an accredited program
Active state Special Education teaching license or certification in good standing, or documented initiation of licensure transfer prior to start date
Knowledge of IDEA, IEP development and case management, special education eligibility categories, and applicable state regulations
Experience or training in evidence-based instructional approaches for students with disabilities
PREFERRED
1+ years of special education teaching experience in a K12 school setting (student teaching or residency counts)
Experience as an IEP case manager with a caseload of students with varied disability profiles
Training or certification in structured literacy or Orton-Gillingham-based approaches
Experience co-teaching or providing inclusion support in general education settings
Bilingual (Spanish) bilingual SpEd teachers are strongly encouraged to apply
Familiarity with transition planning, VR coordination, and post-secondary planning for students with disabilities
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