Special Education Teacher - Ecology & Science

Catholic Charities, the largest private non-profit provider of human services in Maryland, has a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment of 2,000 employees. We serve children and families, people living in poverty, individuals with intellectual disabilities, the immigrant community, and seniors. Year after year named as a Baltimore Top Workplace, we offer great benefits, generous paid time off, and provide career opportunities where you can make meaningful differences in the lives of others as we fulfill our mission to love, serve, teach and work for justice.

Coordinates and implements science lessons and ecologically-oriented enrichment activities for youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Works to develop a vision for the increased implementation of hands-on, student-centered activities that empower students to be engaged members of their school community; attending to the therapeutic needs, while exposing them to the idea that they are capable of taking care of something living.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working collaboratively with classroom teachers, plans and implements science lessons using the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards framework.
• Develops and implements lesson plans focusing on ecologically-oriented material, specifically "seed to table" and horticulture to include: seed planting and maintenance in the greenhouse, the planting of the seedlings in the vegetable and therapeutic school gardens, the watering/weeding/basic cultivation/harvesting of plants within the gardens, and maintaing the fish tank.
• Orients and coordinates with assigned interns, volunteers and staff who are assigned to or work in the Horticulture/Ecological/Pre-Vocational Program.
• Develops and implements student run business opportunities, related to garden or small animal production (i.e., produce stand, selling eggs, staff salad lunch option), which promotes investment in the product but also focuses on business and math training.
• Provides crisis intervention including recognizing and de-escalating problem situations by separating students involved and/or talking to students to assess nature of problem and provide resolution, and performing restraints when necessary to ensure the safety of all and to maintain the therapeutic structure and organization of the setting.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Two years of experience working with students with special needs

Certification/Licensure:

• MSDE teaching certificate in the area of Special Education K-8

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Requires ability to assess problem situations and apply the most effective yet least restrictive intervention within established therapeutic goals.
• Requires effective skills including nurturing, patience, consistency, ability to apply effective boundaries and behavior management techniques. Requires the capacity to relate to severely emotionally disabled students in a sensitive, understanding, and insightful manner.
• Requires effective oral and written communication skills in contacts with teachers or therapists.
• Requires ability to accurately assess and document information for incident reports and Behavior Management documents.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Requires physical ability to intervene and restrain students in crisis situations including the ability to run, lift and transport them to another location.
• Hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and to observe and communicate with others.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel on Agency business. Driver must be at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience, and a valid driver's license issued by the state of residence. There can be no state issued restrictions on the licenses that would impede driver's ability to operate the vehicle as required by the Agency, and there must not be more than three (3) points on their driving record.

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet the ever-changing needs of our employees including but not limited to:

• Health/Dental/Vision
• Vacation/sick/holiday pay
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with a discretionary employer contribution

Join Catholic Charities of Baltimore where you will be an important member of an trauma-informed care organization that promotes a culture of safety, empowerment, healing and self-care, and that believes that every person has infinite worth and promise.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer