Lower School Special Education Associate Teacher

The Quad Preparatory School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Join an inspiring educational community dedicated to transforming the lives of neurodiverse students. As a Lower School Special Education Associate Teacher, you will play a crucial role in creating engaging learning experiences tailored to individual needs. Collaborate with a passionate team of educators and contribute to a joyful and inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. This full-time position offers a supportive environment where you can grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children. Experience the joy of teaching and the fulfillment of empowering young minds in a vibrant school setting.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Student Loan Repayment

Retirement Plan Contribution

Disability Insurance

Generous Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Work-Life Balance

Social Events and Wellness Groups

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field required.
• Experience teaching K-5 students preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing personalized lessons for students.
• Provide social-emotional support and facilitate small-group discussions.

Skills

Lesson planning

Effective communication

Teamwork and collaboration

Patience and flexibility

Understanding of child development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in elementary education

Master’s degree in education

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

The Quad Preparatory School

Lower School Special Education Associate Teacher

Anticipated Opening for the 2025-26 School Year

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Associate Lower School Head, Academics

Annual Salary Range: $42,000-$49,000

At Quad Prep, we are on a mission to transform the lives of neurodiverse, twice-exceptional people by redefining the experience of school. Through the collective, collaborative, and empathic work of our teachers and clinicians, we are empowering our students to engage with the exciting and wonderful diversity of this world.

As we enter our 13th year, we are excited to welcome fellow innovators and collaborative colleagues to our team to be a part of this inspiring and impactful mission. At Quad Prep, a New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Accredited School, we are eager to create challenging and engaging learning experiences for our students, to seek diverse perspectives, and to work together to continuously refine and redefine best practices in neurodiverse education. The Quad Preparatory School actively seeks to advance diversity through its programs and hiring.

Why work at Quad Prep?

• ACCREDITED SCHOOL: Quad Prep was recognized as an outstanding school when it received accreditation last year through NYSAIS.
• COMMUNITY: We are committed to building a joyful and inclusive culture where everybody is celebrated for who they are.
• COLLEAGUES: Our colleagues are inspiring, consummate innovators and are at their happiest collaborating to create personalized solutions for each student.
• STUDENTS: We guarantee that you will learn something eye-opening every single day from our students — and have a lot of joy and laughter along the way!
• DEEP PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Quad Prep supports mission-driven educators and clinicians to grow their professional skills and influence in the neurodiversity educational space. Close collaboration with colleagues, coaching from supportive leaders, and thoughtful, in-depth professional learning programs keep us growing.
• GENEROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS:
  • Health: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Student Loan repayment
  • Retirement Plan contribution
  • Group Life Plan
  • Disability Insurance
  • Generous Parental Leave
• WORK LIFE BALANCE: In addition to a ten-month school year during which our staff are offered on average 33 days off (approximately 7 weeks) for scheduled holidays and school breaks, we provide generous preparation periods throughout each week, limiting the number of after work hours you will need to work.
• EXTRAS: You can build a private practice or tutor onsite during after school hours at low-cost reduced rates, available only to our Quad Prep staff.

What You’ll Do

The Quad Preparatory School is looking for an associate and a floating associate teacher for our Lower School (grades K-5) campus. These associate teachers will either be assigned to a specific classroom or fill in for head teachers, associate teachers, and psychosocial teachers when needed to provide instruction and social-emotional support to students.

Expectations:

• Assist the head teachers in planning and executing high-quality, personalized lessons in the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and social-emotional learning.
• Follow the directives of the psychosocial and educational staff in working with the individual children as per each child’s academic and social and emotional goals.
• Be versatile, flexible, and patient, yet firm.
• Empower students to take charge of their learning by providing all necessary scaffolding, modeling, materials, and resources.
• Facilitate projects and/or independent activities nurturing the talents and interests of individual students.
• Lead small-group discussions and collaborations extending from the academic curriculum under the guidance of the head teachers.
• Supervise students during non-instructional times, including snack, lunch, and outdoor time.
• Follow the professional code and policies of the school and conduct oneself in a manner that promotes the mission and vision of the school.
• Utilize Google Suite, in particular Google Drive and Docs.
• Complete clerical tasks in support of classroom learning, including data entry, photocopying, and designing bulletin boards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

1. Love for working with children
2. Strong background and interest in music
3. Desire and ability to work with students with special needs
4. Lesson planning and the ability to provide engaging and differentiated instruction
5. Ability to connect with elementary school-aged children
6. Effective oral and written communication
7. A solid understanding of elementary-aged children’s academic, social, and emotional development
8. Attention to detail
9. Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
10. Ethical conduct
11. Time management and the ability to multitask
12. Teamwork and collaboration
13. Patience and flexibility

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in elementary education (any subject area), special education, or a related field.
• Experience teaching children in grades K-5.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• At least three years experience as a full-time teacher or teacher’s assistant.
• Master’s degree in elementary education (any subject area), special education, or a related field.
• Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education and twice-exceptional youth.
• Secondary (any subject) and/or special education teaching credential.
• Experience teaching twice-exceptional youth.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a school setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the school and occasionally traveling to the Upper School campus approximately two blocks away.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is active and involves continuous standing, walking, and climbing stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. Typing is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time exempt position in an educational facility that is open eight hours a day. Teachers, psychosocial teachers, and staff clinicians work ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June). Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation is dependent upon experience and degree obtained. At Quad Prep full-time employees will have access to a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), pre-tax transit, and dependent care (DC FSA) accounts; a 401K match, and student loan repayment contributions (after one year of employment); and a range of professional development opportunities.

All staff will engage with colleagues in our ongoing staff wellness groups, relax at our social events, and collaborate in meaningful work as a valued member of our voluntary groups.

***Note that all employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Medical and Religious Exemptions may be provided.***

ADA/AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.