26-27 Self- Contained Special Education Teacher

Position: Essential Skills Teacher

Role Description: 

We are seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and committed Essential Skills Teacher to join our team. This teacher will support students with significant cognitive, communication, and adaptive needs, focusing on functional academics, communication development, life skills, and social-emotional learning.

Our ideal candidate brings a joyful presence, a deep belief in the potential of every child, and the ability to create a warm, structured, and responsive classroom environment. This role requires strong collaboration with paraeducators, close partnership with related service providers, and a willingness to individualize learning based on each student's strengths and needs.

learning environment.

About Èlan Academy: 

Founded in 2017, Élan Academy Charter School is an academically challenging, disciplined, and joyful elementary school located in New Orleans, LA. Through a classical curriculum, high-quality instruction, and leadership development, Élan Academy Charter School ensures that all scholars have the foundation necessary to thrive in secondary school, succeed in college, and access lives of opportunity.

An Élan Academy Teammate…

• Does whatever it takes. We are Élan Academy teachers, not just individual classroom teachers. We recognize that we are all responsible for building, preserving, and maintaining our school culture. 

• Embodies our core values. We want to build a culture of open, honest, and productive dialogue with one another. We are expected to share our ideas, thoughts, and concerns. We value the power of shared leadership.   

• Believes results come from hard work. Our preparation creates the opportunity for success. We understand that Élan Academy’s success is the result of persistent effort, resilience, and a shared dedication to continuous improvement.

• Sweats the small stuff.  Every detail matters and helps us build strong daily habits that contribute to success.

• Embodies no-nonsense nurturing. We build meaningful relationships with our scholars and hold them accountable to meet high expectations.

• Teaches ALL scholars until they learn. We are committed to providing an equitable learning environment. We ensure that all scholars have access to high-quality instructional resources and support in order to meet their most rigorous learning outcomes.

• Understands that we are members of one school with one mission, working together at all times. We share our passion for teaching and learning with our colleagues, our scholars, and our families to achieve the mission.  

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement individualized instruction for students with moderate to severe disabilities in alignment with IEP goals.
  
  

• Support scholars with low or limited verbal communication, using tools such as AAC devices, PECS, or visual supports.
  
  

• Create a classroom culture that fosters safety, independence, dignity, and joy.
  
  

• Collaborate daily with a team of paraeducators to ensure consistent support, modeling best practices and providing guidance as needed.
  
  

• Monitor and document student progress toward IEP goals, adjusting instruction as needed.
  
  

• Communicate regularly with families, service providers, and support teams to ensure a wraparound approach to student development.
  
  

• Use data to drive decision-making and instructional practices.
  
  

• Maintain compliance with all special education laws, policies, and documentation requirements.
  
  

Qualifications: 

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university

• 2+ years of experience preferred 

• Experience working with students with significant cognitive, developmental, or communication needs preferred

• Demonstrated success using visual supports, structured teaching strategies (e.g., TEACCH), and/or behavior supports.

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Mindset Requirements: 

• Believe that there is not a more urgent task than providing an outstanding academic and character education to ALL scholars regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, 

• Believe that the children of New Orleans have been historically underserved, and they deserve an excellent education.  

• Believe the opportunity gap can be eliminated and that this can be accomplished not through heroics but through focused instruction. 

• Believe children can thrive academically, creatively, and emotionally in a highly organized learning environment.

• Believe fostering great relationships with families and stakeholders can lead to transformational learning opportunities. 

• Believe high-quality schools focus on scholar learning and intentionally use data to influence outcomes. 

• Believe that all members of the Élan Academy Community are capable of growth. We invest in consistent, measurable, and meaningful learning opportunities that promote academic and personal advancement for all scholars and adults. 

• Believe that the standardized exams our scholars take (NWEA, iLEAP, STEP, and our Interim   Assessments)  provide valuable data that must inform our instruction.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, and bend for extended periods.

• Ability to assist scholars with physical tasks as needed.

Compensation: 

Élan Academy offers a generous compensation package, including a 401 (K) contribution match, health, dental, and vision insurance, and more! Élan Academy also ensures that ALL staff members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including a dedicated work space, laptop computer, email, high-speed internet access, and all necessary supplies.