Job Description – Special Education Resource Instructor

About CANO

Community Academies of New Orleans (“CANO”) is a new charter school management organization created to bring together Esperanza Charter School, Foundation Prep Charter School, and Lafayette Academy Charter School with the ultimate goal of strengthening all three schools.  The nonprofit boards that governed Foundation Prep and Choice Foundation voted to establish this partnership in 2019 to benefit from the organizations’ shared values, similar programming, and strong leadership, and set operations of CANO to launch ahead of the 2020-2021 academic year.  

CANO’s vision is to build a system of exemplary schools, deeply influenced by our students, families, and communities, with graduates who are committed to being community advocates and leaders. Its mission is to cultivate schools that nurture students’ character and critical thinking ability in responsive learning environments, thereby equipping them to be impactful community leaders.  CANO will strive for high academic performance at all our schools while securing partnerships and programming that use community assets to support our schools and students.  In doing this, CANO brings a fresh, yet grounded, vision to the New Orleans charter landscape and forges a new path ahead for students, families, and communities alike. 

CANO’s Values are: 

• INTEGRITY. We always do the right thing. 

• TEAMWORK. We work and grow together. 

• PASSION. We love our students; our community; our work. 

• DIGNITY.  We value and respect every member of our community. 

• COURAGE. We approach challenges with optimism and confidence.

About the Role 

The Special Education Resource Teacher is responsible for providing ELA/SS instruction and support which facilitates the participation of students with disabilities in the regular classroom. The special education teachers work with children with physical disabilities, learning, emotional, behavioral or communication difficulties, conditions such as autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD, sensory impairments, sensory processing disorder, and mental health issues. 

About the Opportunity 

• Instruct students in the development of skills and knowledge that enables them to participate independently to the highest degree possible, based on assessment needs

• Works with members of the IEP team (i.e. parents, classroom teachers, speech providers, occupational & physical therapists, orientation & mobility and vision specialists) to provide a functional and meaningful learning environment

• Assess needs, goal & objectives, functional levels and motivational levels of the student

• Conduct assessment which focuses on both long and short-term needs of the student

• Designing Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs)

• Collaborating with parents and school staff to track students’ progress

• Collaborate with the support staff (e.g. school counselors and speech pathologist) to create holistic intervention plans

• Monitor children’s behavioral patterns and arrange appropriate interventions if needed

• Manage classroom crises and resolve conflict

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree (required)

• Two years of special education teaching experience 

•  Valid Louisiana state special education certificate  (required)                                                 

• Ability to create IEPs

• Good knowledge of current special education topics and methodologies

• A strong desire to work towards equity within education 

• Growth mindset and a desire to learn and grow through consistent coaching and feedback

• A patient, resourceful, and resilient personality

• Belief that all students are capable of success and deserve to be pushed to a rigorous academic and behavioral bar

• Willingness to do whatever it takes and go above and beyond to serve all students, faculty, and parents

• Calming Nature 

• Highly Intuitive    

 Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 75% of the workday.

• Able to occasionally move about inside the office and school building to meetings and other assigned duties  

• Occasionally ascend stairs to migrate throughout the workspace

More about CANO

CANO Schools offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Aside from extensive professional development, all of our instructional staff members are equipped with a laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies. We also require all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of the COVID-19 vaccination within 30 days of the date of hire. 

EEO Statement

CANO believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. "We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Community Academies of New Orleans is an EEO employer and prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation in accordance with federal, state and local laws."