Lead Teacher

Department:  PSSD

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Work Schedule:  Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM, year-round position.

Reports to:  PSSD Director

Wage Range: $37.66-$55.00/hr. DOE/DOQ (salary not hourly)

Updated: 9/02/2025

·    *Full Medical, Dental and Vision benefits after 60 days employment (30 days (about 4 and a half weeks) for active Licensed or Certified Healthcare Professionals).

1.       HL7N (Healing Lodge of the 7 Nations) pays 100% of the insurance premium for Full-time Employees (30 hours+).

2.       HL7N pays $6,000 for Employee out of pocket expenses for medical, dental, and/or vision utilizing the Navia Card.·   

·    *$75,000 Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term disability after 90 days. HL7N pays 100% of the Life Insurance premium for Full-time Employees (30 hrs.+).

   *Annually Employees receive 12 paid holidays; 20 Paid-Time-Off (PTO) days per year after the employee has been employed FTE (30 hrs.+) and achieve successful 90-days performance evaluation rating.

·    *403(b) Thrift Savings Plan with the HL7N maximum pension contribution of 4%, completed 12 months of employment (2,080 hrs.) and successful performance evaluation rating.

·    *Healing Lodge employment may qualify for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations is a youth residential treatment facility which provides a safe and caring healing environment for adolescents in need. Located on 51 acres, our wellness program provides a peaceful environment for treatment balanced in traditional, cultural, and spiritual values and practices. These values and practices foster respect, honesty, generosity, strong cultural identification, and hope for positive life changes.  The Healing Lodge treatment program integrates traditional, spiritual, and cultural values with chemical dependency and mental health counseling to create a comprehensive approach toward healing.  Residents include both Native American and non-Native from all areas of the country.

The Lead Teacher and Teacher of Record oversees the HL7N educational program for residents under the general direction of the PSSD Director, with assistance from appropriate staff personnel, and per the Educational Cooperative Alternative Learning Agreement with Spokane Public School (SPS). A classroom teach, supervise and enhances an effective learning environment; facilitates the learning with SPS adopted assessments, curriculum and instructional materials; establishes learning objectives and standards based upon general HL7N guidelines; provides instruction, documents learning via WA State Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) guidelines, counsels, disciplines, and supervises to meet the individual needs of assigned residents; and, to evaluate student performance and progress.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

·   Fosters a safe educational environment conducive to the learning process; plans an instructional program designed to meet individual resident needs and whole groups which include at risk or special needs youth.

·   Uses necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of the residents and to the nature of the learning activities, program and/or curriculum involved; implements established program or curriculum objectives; attends in-service training and continues to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for instruction.

·   Establishes and implements, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom management policies and procedures governing resident behavior and conduct; provides guidance and support to encourage residents to progress across a mastery-based and ALE learning framework.

·   Confers with residents and other staff, maintaining an open positive relationship as appropriate to provide guidance and evaluation, and to encourage resident achievement and post-secondary planning.

·   Establishes classroom goals and objectives, in conformation with courses of study specified by State statutes, regulations and guidelines; evaluates and records student progress; prepares reports for local, state, and federal compliance purposes.

·   Collects and interprets a variety of data; provides reports for administrative purposes.

·  Attends or participates in all required staff meetings and training deemed necessary by the HL7N and/or PSSD Director to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional achievement.

·         Serves on staff committees as required.

·         Participates in a variety of activities to enhance personal and professional skills.

·         Performs related tasks consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience:

·         Bachelor's degree in Education with a Washington State Teacher Certification.

·         Minimum of 3 years of experience teaching grades 6-12, struggling students, and/or academic intervention expertise.

·         Academic preparation for or experience in teaching a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population.

·         Being a cooperative member of school multidisciplinary team for the development of instructional and behavioral goals that support struggling students across a continuum of services and instructional needs.

Preferred Education and Experience:

·         Secondary Math or English credential.

·         Proficiency with education technologies used for instruction and assessment, such as Apex, Lexia, Dreambox, Kahn Academy, and NWEA MAP.

·         Knowledge of Washington State Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) requirements.

·         Well versed in Special Education law, student accommodations, providing students with resources and reporting requirement per WA ALE Guidelines.

·         Trauma-informed teacher.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of: Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management techniques; effective instructional techniques; high school and beyond planning; rules and procedures for student safety.

Skill in: Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communication; effective communication with residents, care team and guardians in a diverse community; designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of academic levels from elementary through high school.

Ability to: Deal with students in a positive and confident manner; be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population; adapt to change and remain flexible; organize activities; manage student behavior; use good judgement to maintain a safe learning environment; provide instruction and demonstrate techniques; use necessary equipment, computers, or software; direct assistants; in some positions, administer first aid and CPR; establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, staff and administrators.

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations:

Working Conditions:

Required to deal with a wide range of student achievement and behavior; required to remain flexible to meet resident immediate needs; required to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize; may experience frequent interruptions; may occasionally deal with distraught or dysregulated residents; potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; may teach in a classroom without telephone communication.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods of time, occasionally standing or climbing on a stool or ladder. Must be able to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; bend, stoop, or kneel; reach with hands and arms in any direction; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. You must be available to work flexible hours.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The Healing Lodge believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit our employees nor the organization to just the work identified. We expect each employee to offer his/her services whenever necessary to ensure the company's success.