Teacher

Teacher – Residential School

Dousman Campus | Lad Lake, Inc.

Full-Time | School-Year Schedule

Are you an experienced teacher who knows that sometimes the most important thing you can teach a young person is that you believe in them?

Lad Lake is looking for an experienced Teacher to join our residential school at the Dousman Campus. This is an opportunity to teach students whose educational journeys have not always been successful in traditional school settings—and to be part of a team that understands that relationships are at the heart of learning.

Our teachers work with young people who may have experienced significant academic, behavioral, emotional, or life challenges. Success in this environment requires more than delivering a lesson. It requires patience, creativity, flexibility, consistency, and the ability to build genuine relationships with students while maintaining high expectations.

If you are an experienced educator who enjoys finding different ways to reach students and believes every young person can learn and grow, this may be the right opportunity for you.

What You'll Do

Teach & Engage Students

• Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction appropriate to students' individual needs and abilities.

• Create a structured, supportive classroom environment where students can learn and experience success.

• Adapt instruction, materials, pacing, and teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs.

• Use creative and experiential approaches to engage students who may have struggled in traditional educational environments.

• Establish clear expectations while maintaining a respectful, supportive classroom environment.

• Provide opportunities for students to develop academic skills, confidence, independence, and a sense of accomplishment.

• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction based on student needs and performance.

Build Relationships That Support Learning

• Develop positive, professional relationships with students while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

• Understand that behavior and engagement are often connected to a student's past experiences, needs, and relationships.

• Use trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches to support student engagement.

• Help students recognize their strengths and experience success.

• Encourage students to take ownership of their learning and progress.

• Maintain high expectations while meeting students where they are.

Support Students With Complex Needs

• Work effectively with students who may demonstrate emotional, behavioral, social, or academic challenges.

• Utilize proactive strategies to prevent and respond to classroom disruptions.

• Support students in developing problem-solving, communication, self-regulation, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Use appropriate de-escalation strategies when students are struggling.

• Collaborate with the student's treatment team to understand and support individual needs.

• Follow individualized student plans and other applicable interventions and accommodations.

Collaborate Across the Residential Environment

Lad Lake is different from a traditional school because our students live on campus. What happens in the classroom is connected to what happens throughout the rest of a student's day.

Teachers work collaboratively with:

• Residential staff

• Clinicians

• Case managers

• Other teachers

• Student support staff

• Leadership

You will communicate student progress, concerns, strengths, and strategies with appropriate team members and participate in meetings and collaborative planning as needed.

Create a Classroom Where Students Want to Be

• Build a classroom environment that is welcoming, predictable, engaging, and respectful.

• Find creative ways to make learning relevant to students' interests and future goals.

• Incorporate opportunities for hands-on learning, problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world application.

• Celebrate progress and effort—not just academic achievement.

• Help students connect what they are learning to employment, independence, relationships, and adulthood.

• Encourage students to take appropriate responsibility for their classroom and learning environment.

Participate in the Lad Lake Community

• Participate in required meetings, training, professional development, and campus activities.

• Contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

• Participate in school events, student activities, and special programming as assigned.

• Maintain appropriate documentation and student records.

• Follow Lad Lake policies and applicable educational, licensing, safety, and confidentiality requirements.

• Participate in crisis intervention and other safety procedures as trained.

• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the position.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced educator who understands that working with our students requires both strong teaching skills and strong relationship skills.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience teaching adolescents.

• Strong classroom management and student engagement skills.

• Ability to adapt instruction to diverse academic and behavioral needs.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to remain calm, patient, and effective during challenging situations.

• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of teaching experience working with youth similar to the students served by Lad Lake.

• Wisconsin Alternative Education license or appropriate alternative education licensure.

• Experience working with students with significant emotional, behavioral, or social needs.

• Experience in residential treatment, therapeutic education, alternative education, or other non-traditional educational settings.

• Experience utilizing trauma-informed, restorative, or relationship-based approaches.

• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary treatment or student-support team.

You Might Be a Great Fit If You...

• Have learned that the best classroom management starts with relationships.

• Know how to maintain high expectations without giving up on a student.

• Can recognize the difference between a student who won't engage and a student who can't yet engage.

• Are comfortable adapting your approach when something isn't working.

• Don't expect every student to learn in the same way.

• Can remain calm when a student is dysregulated.

• Enjoy working collaboratively with professionals outside of education.

• Find satisfaction in helping a student experience a success they haven't experienced before.

• Believe that every student deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and patience.

• Are looking for a teaching environment where your work can make a significant difference in a young person's life.

Why Teach at Lad Lake?

Teaching at Lad Lake isn't traditional classroom teaching.

Our students live on campus, and our teachers are part of a larger team committed to helping young people build the skills, relationships, confidence, and resilience they need for their futures.

You won't be expected to solve everything alone. You'll work alongside residential staff, clinicians, case managers, and other educators who understand that student success happens when the adults around a young person work together.

At Lad Lake, we believe young people can thrive when they have adults who see their potential, hold high expectations, build meaningful relationships, and don't give up on them.

If you're an experienced educator looking for a place where your teaching can have an impact far beyond the classroom, we'd love to meet you.

Join Lad Lake and help young people thrive.