Future Ready Teacher

THRIVE Academy – Manson Northwest Webster CSDGrades Served: Middle School & High SchoolPosition Type: Full-Time Teaching PositionLocation: THRIVE Academy – Manson, IowaReports To: Principal / Building Administrator

THRIVE Academy is a therapeutic, trauma-informed educational program serving students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs. The Future Ready Teacher provides practical, real-world instruction focused on preparing students for adulthood, independent living, employment, relationships, and responsible decision-making.

Position Summary

The Future Ready Teacher is responsible for developing and delivering applied instruction that equips middle school and high school students with the skills necessary to function successfully as independent, productive, and responsible adults. This position blends components of life skills, employability, financial literacy, personal development, career readiness, parenting awareness, and independent living into a comprehensive "Adulting 101" style curriculum.

Instruction is aligned to multiple State SCED course areas including Life Skills, Personal and Career Readiness, Career Exploration, Employability Skills, Consumer Economics/Personal Finance, Personal Development, Child Development/Parenting, and Food Preparation & Health Management.

This position emphasizes relationship-building, mentorship, social-emotional support, and real-world application of skills through highly engaging, hands-on instruction. Teachers also serve as Homeroom Advisors, providing ongoing guidance, accountability, and support for a small group of students.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Instruction & Curriculum

• Plan and deliver engaging, practical instruction focused on preparing students for adult life and future success.
• Develop and implement curriculum aligned to State SCED course standards and student transition needs.
• Teach and facilitate instruction in areas including:
  • Life Skills & Independent Living
  • Career Exploration & Employability Skills
  • Financial Literacy & Budgeting
  • Consumer Awareness & Personal Finance
  • Decision-Making & Problem-Solving
  • Goal Setting & Self-Advocacy
  • Time Management & Responsibility
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Child Development & Parenting Basics
  • Basic Cooking Skills & Meal Preparation
  • Wellness, Healthy Habits, & Personal Responsibility
• Utilize hands-on, project-based, experiential, and community-connected learning opportunities whenever possible.
• Connect instruction to real-world situations, workplace expectations, independent living, and post-secondary readiness.
• Differentiate instruction to meet varying academic, behavioral, developmental, and emotional functioning levels.
• Integrate social-emotional learning, executive functioning supports, and trauma-informed practices into daily instruction.

Student Support & Advisement

• Serve as a Homeroom Advisor, building positive, consistent relationships with assigned students.
• Monitor student academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and personal growth.
• Support students in developing independence, self-confidence, accountability, and resilience.
• Reinforce workplace readiness skills, including attendance, communication, teamwork, initiative, and professionalism.
• Support students in developing coping strategies, self-regulation skills, and positive decision-making habits.
• Utilize de-escalation, co-regulation, and restorative practices during times of student dysregulation.

Classroom Environment & Behavioral Support

• Create a structured, safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment.
• Maintain clear expectations, routines, and procedures that support student success.
• Apply MTSS, restorative, and trauma-informed frameworks to support student growth.
• Collaborate with support staff and special education teams to implement accommodations, modifications, and intervention plans.
• Support students with behavioral plans, IEP goals, transition goals, and individualized learning needs.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate closely with paraprofessionals, counselors, student support staff, special education staff, administrators, families, and partner districts.
• Participate in IEP meetings, intervention planning meetings, transition planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Maintain regular communication regarding student progress, concerns, and successes.
• Support school-wide initiatives focused on student engagement, resilience, independence, and post-secondary readiness.

Assessment & Documentation

• Maintain accurate grades, documentation, progress monitoring, and student records.
• Monitor student progress toward academic, behavioral, transition, and independent living goals.
• Utilize student performance data to guide instructional planning and interventions.
• Assist in documenting accommodations, modifications, and progress toward individualized student goals.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to trauma-informed care, SEL, transition planning, employability skills, and therapeutic education.
• Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, collaboration, and relationship-centered practices.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with district, state, and federal requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Valid Iowa Teaching License
• Strong communication, classroom management, and collaboration skills
• Ability to build positive relationships with students experiencing academic, behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges
• Commitment to relationship-based, trauma-informed educational practices

Preferred

• Experience teaching life skills, career readiness, transition services, FCS-related courses, at-risk education, or alternative education
• Knowledge of SEL, restorative practices, PBIS, executive functioning supports, and trauma-informed instructional strategies
• Experience supporting students with disabilities, behavioral challenges, or social-emotional needs
• Ability to create engaging, applied, real-world learning experiences

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively supervise students in classroom, community-based, and school environments
• Ability to participate in hands-on instructional activities and demonstrations
• Ability to respond appropriately during behavioral or crisis situations

Work Environment

THRIVE Academy is a therapeutic, trauma-informed educational environment serving students from multiple partner districts across Iowa. Future Ready classrooms maintain small class sizes with dedicated paraeducator support to provide individualized instruction, relationship-building, and behavioral support.

Mission Alignment

The Future Ready Teacher plays a vital role in helping students develop the practical, emotional, behavioral, and independent living skills necessary for adulthood. This position supports THRIVE Academy's mission of helping students build resilience, confidence, healthy habits, and meaningful futures through individualized, relationship-centered educational practices.