The Special Education positions at TEP are designed as collaborative team-teaching positions, whereby the Special Education teachers work alongside general education teachers in general education classrooms (which have both General Ed and Special Ed students). The Special Education teacher also teaches several small group reading classes for students who are significantly behind grade level in reading. A strong background in reading instruction is a crucial element of this position. (This is why we refer to the position as Special Education/Reading Specialist.)

In general, the vision for TEP’s Special Education program will be shaped and modified by the Special Education teachers who are hired. As such, the above represents the current vision for TEP's Special Education program, one that will likely be modified by the particular beliefs and experiences of the Special Education teachers whom TEP hires.

TEP has already hired its first Special Education teacher who is working with TEP’s first cohort of 5th graders during the 2009-10 academic year. TEP is currently seeking 3 additional Special Education teachers - one will join the team beginning in the 2010-11 academic year (when TEP will have both 5th and 6th graders),  one will join the team beginning in the 2011-12 academic year (when TEP will have 5th, 6th and 7th graders), and one will join the team beginning in the 2012-13 academic year (when TEP will have 5th through 8th graders).