Essential Elements Teacher - Special Education

Description

Why Join Logan River Academy?

At Logan River Academy, education is an essential part of the healing process. Our teachers work alongside therapists, residential staff, nurses, and treatment professionals to help students build confidence, achieve academic success, and prepare for meaningful futures. We offer a collaborative team environment where educators can make a lasting difference in the lives of adolescents facing emotional, behavioral, and educational challenges.

If you are passionate about helping students with significant disabilities thrive in a therapeutic setting, we encourage you to apply.

Location: Logan, Utah
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Education Director

Position Summary

Logan River Academy is seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly qualified Essential Elements Teacher to join our team. This position provides specialized instruction to students with significant cognitive disabilities using Utah's Essential Elements Standards while supporting students with complex behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.

The Essential Elements Teacher is responsible for developing meaningful, individualized educational experiences that promote academic growth, functional life skills, communication, independence, and successful transition planning. This position works collaboratively with therapists, residential staff, parents, and other educators to provide consistent, trauma-informed instruction within a therapeutic environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide      high-quality instruction aligned with Utah Essential Elements Standards.
• Develop      and implement individualized lesson plans that meet each student's      academic, functional, behavioral, and transition needs.
• Maintain      compliance with all IEPs, accommodations, modifications, and progress      monitoring requirements.
• Collect      and analyze student data to guide instructional decisions and document      student progress.
• Collaborate      with therapists, case managers, residential staff, related service      providers, and families to ensure consistency across educational and      treatment settings.
• Utilize      evidence-based instructional strategies, assistive technology, visual      supports, and differentiated instruction.
• Create      and maintain a structured, predictable, and trauma-informed classroom      environment.
• Implement      positive behavior supports and approved behavior intervention plans      (BIPs).
• Supervise      and collaborate with Teacher Aides to ensure effective implementation of      instructional and behavioral programming.
• Participate      in IEP meetings, treatment team meetings, parent conferences, and      professional development.
• Maintain      accurate educational records and complete required documentation in a      timely manner.
• Ensure      compliance with Utah State Board of Education regulations, IDEA, FERPA,      and school policies.
• Foster      student independence, self-advocacy, communication, social skills, and      daily living skills.
• Support      students in preparing for post-secondary opportunities, vocational      experiences, and community integration when appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge      of special education law, IDEA, and Utah Special Education Rules.
• Understanding      of trauma-informed educational practices.
• Ability      to teach students with diverse cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and      communication needs.
• Strong      problem-solving, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability      to remain calm and professional during behavioral crises.
• Excellent      written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong      organizational and time-management skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability      to move throughout the school campus and residential treatment      environment.
• Ability      to stand, walk, bend, lift up to 30 pounds, and assist students when      necessary.
• Ability      to safely participate in approved crisis intervention procedures when      required.
• Ability      to supervise students in classrooms, community settings, and school      activities.

Requirements

 Minimum Qualifications

• Current      Utah Professional Educator License issued by the Utah State Board of      Education.
• Special      Education teaching endorsement or license appropriate for students      with significant cognitive disabilities.
• Demonstrated      knowledge of Utah Essential Elements Standards and alternate assessment      requirements.
• Experience      developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Strong      classroom management and behavior intervention skills.
• Excellent      communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Ability      to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience      working in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC), therapeutic school,      behavioral health setting, or alternative education program.
• Experience      teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual      Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, and other complex learning needs.