Developmental Specialist I (Special Education Teacher)

Quick Apply

Our teachers collaborate closely with each student’s home school to ensure coursework is provided in both online and hard-copy formats and to support students in completing past-due work, staying current, and managing asynchronous learning. We work with families and school personnel to gather relevant academic, attendance, behavioral, and mental health information; establish academic goals aligned with classroom instruction; submit documentation of completed work for credit; share feedback on effective learning strategies; support 504 planning for school re-entry when needed; and provide medical excuses with follow-up plans.

Since 1990, we have proudly served as the only private, licensed academic school within UPMC, delivering high-quality education to students receiving inpatient care. Our collaborative team of 5–6 dedicated teachers prioritizes student needs, maintains strong communication with families and home schools, and uses data-driven feedback to continuously improve our services.

Must have Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Special Education. Teachers get summers off as well.

Responsibilities:

Academic Support

Support children and adolescents with assignment completion during school programming.
Observe, record, and communicate patient academic progress to the inpatient team and home schools.
Use observational data to inform school contacts during conferences and as needed.

Communication & Collaboration

Communicate with families as needed regarding educational concerns.
Coordinate with school partners to support educational needs and transition planning.
Report relevant clinical and non-clinical concerns to classroom, clinical, and administrative leadership.

Documentation & Compliance

Complete all required documentation accurately and within assigned timelines.
Maintain current patient and program records in compliance with accreditation, licensing, regulatory, and partnership standards.

Team Participation

Participate in unit meetings, staff meetings, treatment team discussions, and supervision as assigned.

Environment & Professional Standards

Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe environment in accordance with health and safety regulations.
Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and behaviors.
Complete additional duties as assigned per program guidelines.

Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, or Child Development is required with one year of relevant teaching experience required.

Bachelor's degree in behavioral health field and 3 years of relevant teaching experience required.
Ability to relate sensitively to students and be consistently responsive to their needs.
Emotional stability, maturity and must show evidence of good judgment.
Knowledge and understanding of developmentally appropriate practices.
Effectively communicate information to other staff members, parents, visitors, etc.
Supervisory and leadership skills strongly preferred.
May in the course of their job duties be in rooms where medications are stored.
No contact with medications is allowed.

ATTENTION: A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL BACHELOR’S DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Special Education or Emotionally Socially disturbed within 8 weeks of hire required. Required License ACT 48 (completion of 180 continuing professional education hours every 5 years) to maintain an active teaching certification required. Maintain all Pennsylvania Department of Education(PDE) requirements, including any new requirements deemed necessary by PDE.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
Teaching Certificate
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
Act 33 with renewal
Act 34 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Apply Here

5 Questions You Should Ask During the Interview

Here are 5 questions we think you could ask during your interview. Use them as a guide to help you write your own questions.

Remember: Always have at least 5 questions prepared for the interview. If you do not, you run the risk of looking unprepared.

What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?

Why ask this? You want to ensure you have a clear understanding of expectations before accepting the role. Knowing how success is measured helps you hit the ground running and avoid surprises about performance evaluations. It also signals to the employer that you're results-driven.

Can you describe the team dynamic and the company culture?

Why ask this? Skills and experience matter, but if the work environment isn’t a good fit, you won’t be happy or productive. This question helps you gauge whether the company values collaboration, how teams interact, and whether the culture aligns with your work style and values.

What are the biggest challenges facing the person in this role right now?

Why ask this? Every job has challenges, and it’s better to know them upfront. This helps you assess whether the role is a good fit for your strengths and whether the company is realistic about its expectations. If they hesitate to answer, it could be a red flag.

How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being??

Why ask this? Burnout is real, and some companies expect employees to sacrifice personal time for the job. By asking this, you’ll get a sense of how they value work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being—things that are crucial for job satisfaction and long-term success.

These questions help you make an informed decision while also showing your professionalism and strategic thinking!

Quick Apply