A Special Education Teacher teaches students who have disabilities, and adapts teaching methods to meet the needs of students. Assesses students and helps to develop individualized education plans that specify the services and accommodations needed for each student. Works in a classroom that includes only students with IEPs, or works with students and teachers in regular classes. For students with severe disabilities, may focus on developing skills for independent living. Works as part of a team that includes therapists, school counselors or social workers.
This is the dream job for the right person, not the right résumé. If you've ever worked with a child who struggled and thought "I know exactly what this kid needs, and it's not what a typical classroom gives them," keep reading. We welcome applicants from all kinds of backgrounds — special education teachers, OTs, SLPs, behavior specialists, art teachers, yoga teachers, therapists, tutors, camp counselors — anyone with real, hands-on experience working with kids.
Lead Teacher :
2026-27
School Year Employment Type:
Full time
Location:
On site• Bryn Mawr, PA (Philadelphia area)
Salary:
$40,000 - $60,000 (USD) based on years of experience and specialized training
Team:
Faculty Reports to & collaborates closely with Founder / Executive Director
Start Date :
August 2026 This role has no specific closing date. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. About Fáilte Academy Fáilte (fall-cha) is the Gaelic word for welcome and joy, and that's our promise. Fáilte Academy is a small nonprofit microschool in Bryn Mawr serving up to ten neurodivergent, twice-exceptional, and creative children in grades 1-6, many of whom haven't belonged in other schools or have experienced school trauma. Our work is grounded in Dr. Stanley Greenspan's Floortime model and blends Waldorf-inspired philosophy with modern, evidence-based literacy instruction. We don't use grades, tests, or forced participation. Children are invited to learn and they do. Fáilte is recognized by the Vela Education Fund and featured in Main Line Parent. What This Work Actually Asks of You We want you to know exactly what this job is before you apply, not after. Many of our students carry real trauma from earlier school experiences, and many have a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy) profile, where ordinary requests can trigger a fight, flight, or shutdown response. On a given day, that might look like a child removing their clothes because their body is overwhelmed, a child throwing something across the room because a demand felt like too much, or a child working hard to disrupt the whole group because they didn't get what they wanted. There are days when the lesson plan doesn't happen at all, because staying calm and present while a child cannot is the most important work we do. And then there are the other days: a child who hasn't trusted an adult in years choosing to sit next to you, a reader who couldn't sit still in September finishing their first chapter book by spring, a room full of kids working quietly on something they chose for themselves. Both kinds of days are real, and neither cancels the other out. You don't do this alone. We are a tight-knit, three-adult team, and we co-regulate and problem-solve together, the same way we ask our students to. If the hard days sound like more than you want to take on, this isn't the right role, and that's a completely fine answer. If they sound like the work you got into this field to do, keep reading. Position Summary Fáilte Academy seeks a full-time Lead Teacher to join a three-adult teaching team — the founder, you, and an experienced assistant teacher — sharing a single mixed-age classroom of up to ten students in grades 1-6. Our teaching team co-plans and co-teaches across literacy, math, history, science, handwork, art, music, movement, and outdoor time, with each teacher leading small-group instruction at each child's pace. The Lead Teacher builds authentic relationships with every student, partners closely with families, and reports directly to the founder. This is alternative education built around what is actually best for children, not what a system expects them to be. You'll be the right person for this job if Special needs experience. You have meaningful, hands-on experience with neurodivergent children in a classroom, clinical, therapeutic, camp, home, or similar setting, not just a brief or entry-level introduction to it. Alternative education experience or mindset . You're genuinely comfortable with unconventional education — no grades, no tests, no forced participation — either because you've worked in a setting like this before, or because you've thought hard about why traditional schooling doesn't work for the kids you care about. Regulation ability . You know your own nervous system well enough to stay calm and grounded when a child cannot. You can be the steady adult in a moment that's escalating, without escalating yourself. You see a struggling child where others see a defiant one — you understand that "won't" almost always means "can't right now" You believe connection comes before curriculum, and that children learn best when they feel safe and respected You hold a college degree by the position's start date Responsibilities Co-plan and co-teach daily instruction across literacy, math, history, science, handwork, art, music, movement, and outdoor time Deliver small-group Science of Reading-aligned literacy and small-group math at each child's pace Apply Dr. Stanley Greenspan's Floortime model to follow each child's lead, support emotional regulation, and invite engagement instead of demanding it Build authentic, trusting relationships with every student in the cohort Hold a calm, predictable daily rhythm in partnership with the founder and assistant teacher Write narrative progress reports every 6 weeks and lead family conferences with founder Maintain warm, ongoing communication with families as partners in their child's growth Participate in weekly team planning and student support meetings Contribute to classroom culture, materials, and the upkeep of our learning space Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned by the founder Preferred experience Any combination of the following is welcome. We hire for fit, not for a checklist . Training in Dr. Stanley Greenspan's Floortime model PA Instructional certificate (Elementary or Special Education) Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, LETRS, or other Science of Reading training Waldorf teacher training or experience Background as an OT, SLP, behavior specialist, or related-services provider transitioning into teaching Mixed-age or microschool experience Skill with handwork, music, art, baking, or outdoor education What You'll Benefit From $40,000-$60,000 salary depending on experience and specialized training Paid personal and sick days Paid school holidays and protected breaks Optional paid summer programming A small cohort of ten students within a three-adult teaching team — realistic class size so you can know every child Ongoing professional development, including Floortime coaching from a Floortime Specialist founder The supplies, materials, and curriculum resources you actually need Real autonomy, a real voice, and the chance to grow with a 501(c)(3) microschool as it expands As a small nonprofit, Fáilte Academy does not currently offer health insurance or retirement benefits. We are transparent about that up front so candidates can make informed decisions. Required Clearances PA Act 34, Act 151, and FBI Act 114 child abuse clearances current or obtainable before start date. Mandated reporter training completed before start. Application Process To apply, email with: Your résumé A few paragraphs (not a formal cover letter) telling us about a child you supported through a hard moment — what you did, what you learned, and what you'd do differently next time A few sentences on what specifically draws you to Fáilte's approach — not teaching in general, but this model, this population, this way of working Contact information for three professional references If shortlisted, the process runs in four steps: a short call to confirm the basics, a 30-minute Zoom interview with the founder, reference checks, and then a full day on campus to observe the classroom and teach a demo lesson. This day day gives us a chance to see how you work with our kids and for you to to see weather Fáilte is the right fit for you. Offer to follow. Fáilte Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants from non-traditional teaching backgrounds are warmly encouraged to apply.
Pay:
$40,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Paid time off Application Question(s): Are you able to obtain required PA child abuse clearances before your start date? (PA Act 34, Act 151, and FBI Act 114 clearances)
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
work with children with special needs in any capacity: 1 year (Required) alternative education (homeschool, micro/hybrid/cyber, etc): 1 year (Preferred) Ability to
