Position Overview: Novel Education Group is a home-based educational service seeking a skilled and compassionate Special Education Teacher to work one-on-one with a twice-exceptional (2e) student diagnosed with high-functioning autism located in Moraga, CA. This position focuses on heavily on teaching, behavior management and relationship building, with the ultimate goal of helping the student see the value of education in their future.
The ideal candidate will have experience working teaching or tutoring and with neurodiverse students, particularly those with behavioral tendencies. You will work closely with the student for 5 hours a day, 5 times a week in a home environment. We are also considering hiring 2 part-time teachers to split up the 25 hours/week, so those with only part-time availability are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsibilities will be focused on building a relationship with the student for the first month or so through fun activities such as cooking, playing video games, building legos, etc. Academics will then be incorporated thereafter.
- Provide behavioral support by calmly navigating outbursts, allowing space for expression without immediate intervention, while maintaining a composed and supportive presence.
- Assist in developing a routine that balances behavioral needs with eventual educational goals.
- Introduce learning activities and materials that align with the student’s interests, ultimately helping them to see the relevance of education in their daily life and future.
- Utilize the student’s strengths to encourage engagement in learning and promote positive behaviors.
Behavioral Considerations:
- The student has a history of emotional outbursts that can escalate quickly (from calm to extreme anger in a very short span).
- At times, the student may express threats of self-harm or engage in behaviors like swinging heavy objects.
- Candidates must possess strong emotional resilience and personal coping strategies to remain calm and composed while observing these behaviors, understanding that they will occur. The focus is on not being overwhelmed or intimidated by the student’s reactions.
Qualifications:
- Able to readily commit to in-person learning at the student's home in Moraga.
- Background in special education, behavioral therapy, psychology, or a related field.
- Tutoring or teaching experience is a must. You should feel comfortable delivering or creating lesson plans on the fly.
- Experience working with neurodiverse students, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and twice-exceptional (2e) profiles.
- Strong behavioral management skills, with an emphasis on calmly managing reactions and allowing space for emotional expression without fear or immediate intervention.
- Must be coachable, flexible, and willing to learn new tactics rather than relying solely on traditional behavioral modification techniques. Student does not respond to normal ABA style interactions.
- Patience, empathy, and the ability to build rapport with students who may initially resist traditional learning methods.
Preferred but not required:
- Previous experience working in home settings or one-on-one with students in a non-traditional learning environment.
- Familiar with the Gestalt learning style, particularly tactile learning (e.g., learning with hands) and organic learning (e.g., spontaneous learning from the environment, such as during hikes or encounters with historical markers)
This is a long-term position that will last ideally until the end of the school year. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.
Schedule and Details:
- Start ASAP
- Monday to Friday
- 25 hours per week
- Anytime 9am-5pm for 5 hours (example: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
- Starting at 5K/month + Bonus
- Part-time option with two teacher hires available
Please consider a cover letter for introductions. Once your resume is submitted and approved, someone from our team will be in contact to schedule an interview.
