Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher – Residential Youth Services

Location: Memphis Youth Academy – Memphis, TN
Job Type: Full-Time
Pay: $70,000–$75,000 annually

About Youth Opportunity & Memphis Youth Academy

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at-risk youth. Memphis Youth Academy in Memphis, Tennessee, is an approximately 68-bed program serving boys ages 13–18 in a trauma-informed residential setting. The program integrates clinical mental health and behavioral treatment with daily academic instruction, art, music, recreation, and social skills development.

Youth typically spend 6–9 months in the program, participating in individual, family, and group therapy, restorative justice, life skills training, victim-impact awareness, and pre-vocational preparation. Small group living units foster stability, engagement, and preparation for reintegration into school and community environments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with immediate vesting
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays – earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period
• Free RX delivery on most medications
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment

About the Role

The Lead Teacher plans, prepares, and delivers classroom instruction that supports students’ academic, interpersonal, and daily living skills. This position monitors student progress, maintains educational records, supervises assigned support staff, and assists with administrative responsibilities.

The Lead Teacher promotes Memphis Youth Academy’s philosophy and educational objectives while helping create a positive learning environment that meets students’ individual needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in designing and implementing educational programs, including staff in-service training.
• Deliver instruction through a defined course of study to support academic achievement, interpersonal development, and daily living skills.
• Administer developmental testing and subject-specific assessments to evaluate student competency and support the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Collaborate with teachers to adapt classroom assignments and instructional materials to meet individualized learning needs within established lesson plans.
• Demonstrate classroom procedures and subject-specific skills using methods that address individual student needs.
• Assess student progress toward academic, behavioral, communication, motor development, and vocational goals.
• Provide feedback on student progress to students, parents or guardians, and administration.
• Guide students in improving performance, problem-solving skills, and personal well-being.
• Collaborate with instructional staff, school personnel, families, administrators, and community resources to improve student outcomes.
• Prepare and maintain instructional materials, grades, attendance records, behavior logs, and other required documentation.
• Provide direct supervision of youth as needed.
• Monitor and supervise the daily activities of assigned support staff.
• Assist support staff with challenging situations involving staff, families, or youth.
• Support colleagues’ professional growth by sharing resources, providing feedback, and offering encouragement.
• Maintain required staff-to-youth ratios and group sizes at all times.

Other Duties Include

• Maintain a high standard of role model behavior for youth.
• Participate in required training and professional development activities.
• Report acts, incidents, or conditions that may indicate inappropriate youth-to-youth or staff-to-youth relationships.
• Report all uses of physical force and unusual incidents according to established guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education and/or Special Education.
• Experience: At least three years of relevant teaching experience working with children with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical disabilities preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered.
• Supervisory Experience: At least one year of supervisory experience preferred.
• Certifications: Teaching certification and Special Education certification required.
• Training: Ability to successfully complete initial and ongoing training and certification in Universal Precautions, First Aid, CPR, and restraint procedures.
• Professional Development: Maintain professional and technical knowledge through educational workshops, professional publications, networking, and participation in professional organizations.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods and perform prolonged data entry.
• Must meet applicable state requirements regarding communicable diseases, to the extent permitted by law.

Other Requirements

• Maintain an appropriate, valid state driver’s license.
• Meet state criminal background check requirements and complete pre-employment screening.

Apply Today

Make a difference with us. Apply through Indeed or visit www.youthopportunity.com/yourfuture.

Youth Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.