We're looking for a few great people to help us turn our vision into reality.  

Starting a school from scratch is one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding things we've ever done. Now that our first year is complete - and we're over half-way through our second year - we can speak with excitement about the Cypress experience.  At capacity, 450 unique children in New Orleans will get an excellent education, every single day. We're honored to have been given this responsibility and we're looking for the right folks to help us along the way.

We'd love to know more about you, but we also want to share a little about us:

Favorite Adjectives: engaging, reflective, diverse, collaborative, creative, and focused. 

Professional Development Focus: positive teacher language, differentiation, classroom and school culture, using multiple sources of data to inform instruction, teacher collaboration, creating a learning community.

Soapbox Issues: teachers as professionals, curriculum v. curricular materials, punctuality. 

Intrinsic or Extrinsic Motivation: Both. But over the long-term we'll take intrinsic 9 out of 10 times.

Would we send our kids to Cypress? Yes, in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, they are too old.

OVERARCHING RESPONSIBILITIES

This is our third year. We have been able to take what we learned from last year and add to the quality of what we offer our students. Your job will be to take responsibility for a core group of students - and deliver great instruction. You’re responsible for each and every child in the classroom. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have support, but it does mean that the ultimate responsibility for your students’ global success will be yours. We tend to think that this is both a great responsibility and a great honor.  

We’re going to ask that you create a classroom culture of learning that is aligned with the Cypress philosophy. We hold the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy close to our hearts. It will be your responsibility to plan and deliver instruction where your students are asked to remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate and create. 

In order to hit all of Bloom’s buckets you’ll have to have a classroom culture that allows for many different types of learning. We don’t believe that punitive and controlling classroom cultures allow students to learn the skills they need to think critically as individuals. You’ll need to have systems in place that allow students to grow their best selves academically and behaviorally. We look forward to chatting a little bit about the Responsive ClassroomⓇ approach when we meet.

Relationships are key to the success of the Cypress community. We’re looking for people who know the power of smiles, hugs, meaningful conversations, and honesty...and not just in the classroom. You’ll be asked to engage with and learn from other members of our community - family members, students, other faculty members, and more.  

SPECIFIC DUTIES

The Special Education Teacher is an integral part of the total school program, and has specific additional professional responsibilities related to the certification held and professional position assigned. The following list of duties is not inclusive, but helps to describe the universe of duties.

Implement the educational program and comprehensive related services as outlined in the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Provide an instructional program closely related to and coordinated with the regular program so that all students meet and exceed curricular goals, as outlined in the student’s IEP, modifying methods and materials as needed.

Maintain records indicating progress of the student in achieving the objectives of the IEP and assist with the evaluation and assessment of students. 

Participate in the development and annual review of IEPs. Monitor the implementation, and provide information about completed goals and objectives.

Communicate regularly with regular education teachers when a child is included in the regular classroom and assist with providing appropriate instruction and with modifying instructional practices to accommodate the needs and learning styles of the child. 

Communicate regularly with the parents to nurture a supportive and cooperative relationship between home and school. 

Assist the student who is physically challenged with movement to participate in activities or with other physical needs, when necessary. 

Establish the schedule, role, responsibilities, and expectations for the paraprofessional assigned to assist the teacher. 

Assist the professional staff through individual consultation and/or staff development sessions with understanding the needs of exceptional students and with strategies and approaches in dealing with problems in learning, behavior, or adjustment. 

Submit lesson plans in the approved format to the Director of Speech-Language and Intervention and/or the Director of Curriculum and Instruction as required and requested. 

Use effective presentation skills when employing direct instruction, including appropriate vocabulary and examples, clear and legible visuals, and articulate and audible speech. 

Use excellent written and oral English skills when communicating with students, parents, and colleagues. 

Provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive classroom climate that encourages student responsibility, using positive motivation, clear classroom routines, challenging instructional strategies, and effective classroom management techniques. Discipline students in a fair and consistent manner, using school approved procedures. Seek assistance of the parents and the administrative staff when needed. 

Establish a professional rapport with students that earns their respect. 15. Communicate regularly with parents, seeking their support and advice, so as to create a cooperative relationship to support the child in the school.

Assess and diagnose the learning, social, and emotional needs and styles of students, using a variety of assessment techniques and data. 

Assist with the preparation, monitoring, and following of Individualized Education Plans for selected students assigned to the class. 

Employ a variety of methods for students to demonstrate learning and accomplishments. 

The ability and desire to smile at every child, every day.

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree.

Ability to help students maximize their potential as defined by academic success according to multiple data points.

Certification in special education.

This position is for approximately 20 hours per week. Those interested in full-time may apply as we might be able to combine this with an additional position. Please specify part-time or full-time in your cover letter.

Cypress Academy does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.