ABOUT THE BRIDGE TEACHER ROLE

The Bridge Teacher is a key member of the school’s Instructional Team. They lead instruction in the Bridge Program, which is a temporary intensive intervention designed to support students in building academic, social, and emotional skills necessary to engage in the home classroom. They work to meet students’ needs through planning and delivery of high-quality, standards-aligned instruction that keeps them on pace with their peers. Additionally, the Bridge Teacher supports the mission and vision of the organization by establishing strong relationships with families through consistent communication regarding student goals, progress, and challenges. The Bridge Teacher works closely with the Principal, Dean of Students, and other staff members who support academics to ensure language acquisition for all, while providing delivery of SOP’s Phonics for All tiered-model.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintain a student-centered approach to instruction and interaction with students and staff members
2. Develop safe, supportive relationships with each student in the Bridge Program and each member of the Bridge Program Team.
3. Write and execute lesson plans aligned with expectations for classroom teachers.
4. Implement grade-level curricula, using appropriate supports and scaffolds as needed.
5. Administer required academic assessments to students. 
6. Document and communicate the academic, social, and emotional progress of students to appropriate stakeholders.
7. Schedule and lead bi-weekly meetings with the Bridge Program Team, Dean of Students, and home classroom teachers to discuss each student’s progress.
8. Collaborate with the Bridge Program Team to complete and share weekly progress reports with each student’s parent/guardian. 
9. Attend and co-facilitate weekly check-ins with Bridge Program Clinician and each student’s parent/guardian to communicate progress on the student’s goals and classroom behaviors. 
10. Support home classroom teachers in scheduling time to build, maintain, and/or repair relationships with students in the Bridge Program to support the student’s return to the home classroom.
11. Observe students’ academic and behavioral baseline in the home classroom before entering the Bridge Program.
12. Participate in ongoing professional learning to include trauma-informed practice and the Whole Child Model.

REQUIRED AND DESIRED SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Minimum Education Level: Must have a bachelor’s degree. TN Teacher License with appropriate endorsements (i.e., Elementary K-5, SPED)
• Experience Required: Documented experience working as a credentialed classroom teacher, preferably with students with significant behavioral needs. 
• Have or be willing to obtain CPI certification
• An unwavering commitment to the academic success and personal development of our students. 
• Track record of exemplary classroom management skills, and meeting extremely high standards for student achievement. 
• Strong organizational skills; extremely careful attention to detail and follow-through. 
• An eagerness to set ambitious, challenging, and tangible goals, and a relentless drive to achieve them.