Middle School Special Education Teacher SY 27-28 (Bridgeport)

Achievement First; Connecticut; On-site; USD 51,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Service-hour stipend

Competitive benefits package

Professional development

Job summary

Achievement First in Bridgeport, CT is seeking a Middle School Special Education Teacher for the 2027-28 school year to deliver high-quality instruction, support diverse learners, and foster an inclusive classroom culture. The role requires a Bachelor's degree, teaching certification, and experience with K-12 students; full-time schedule with a salary range of $50,600–$89,989.

AF offers a comprehensive benefits package, a signing bonus, a service-hour stipend, and opportunities for professional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• GPA 3.0 preferred.
• GPA 2.5–3.0 may be considered with additional recommendations.
• Experience working with K-12 students required.
• Two or more years of teaching experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create a positive, achievement‑oriented, and structured learning environment that motivates students to meet ambitious goals.
• Deliver engaging instruction aligned to curriculum standards and student needs.
• Implement unit and lesson plans collaboratively developed with grade‑level and content teams.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Utilize interim assessment and classroom performance data to inform instruction and intervention.
• Establish and maintain strong classroom culture through consistent expectations, routines, and relationships.
• Build meaningful partnerships with families to support student success.
• Collaborate with coaches, department leaders, and school leadership to strengthen instructional practice and leadership skills.
• Participate in professional development, team meetings, collaborative planning, and data analysis sessions.
• Seek and implement feedback to continuously improve instructional effectiveness.
• Contribute positively to school‑wide initiatives and community culture.
• Exemplify Achievement First’s core values in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues.

Skills

K-12 teaching experience

Special Education

Classroom management

Family communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

• $ 5k stipend for providing service hours

Middle School Special Education Teacher

School Year: 2027-28

Salary Range: $50,600-89,989

Eligible for:

• 5k Signing Bonus
• $ 5k stipend for providing service hours

Location: Bridgeport

Schedule: Full-time

Who We Are

Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting 41 public charter schools across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For more than 25 years, AF has been recognized as one of the top tuition‑free public charter school networks in the country. We are committed to creating schools of academic excellence within nurturing environments — schools that prepare students to be college‑ready and to pursue and succeed in whatever paths they choose in life.

The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low‑income families, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Across our network, we employ more than 2,200 staff members — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence and Cranston, RI.

Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college, career, and life; deepen their understanding of self and community; and lead lives of purpose. We believe in the limitless potential within our students and their power to shape a more just society. That belief drives our deep commitment to student achievement: we aim to set a high bar for learning and create warm, demanding classrooms where rigorous instruction is paired with the care, encouragement, and consistency every student deserves.

To learn more, visit https://www.achievementfirst.org.

Who We Are Looking For

Mission-Driven Educator

Relationship Builder

Growth‑Oriented Professional

Data‑Informed Instructor

Organized and Accountable

What You Will Be Doing

Achievement First teachers create engaging, rigorous, and supportive learning environments where every student can thrive academically and personally. Teachers are responsible for delivering high‑quality instruction, fostering strong classroom culture, partnering with families, and contributing to a collaborative school community.

Key Responsibilities

Student Achievement & Classroom Culture

• Create a positive, achievement‑oriented, and structured learning environment that motivates students to meet ambitious goals.
• Deliver engaging instruction aligned to curriculum standards and student needs.
• Implement unit and lesson plans collaboratively developed with grade‑level and content teams.
• Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Utilize interim assessment and classroom performance data to inform instruction and intervention.
• Establish and maintain strong classroom culture through consistent expectations, routines, and relationships.
• Build meaningful partnerships with families to support student success.

Professional Learning & Collaboration

• Collaborate with coaches, department leaders, and school leadership to strengthen instructional practice and leadership skills.
• Participate in professional development, team meetings, collaborative planning, and data analysis sessions.
• Seek and implement feedback to continuously improve instructional effectiveness.
• Contribute positively to school‑wide initiatives and community culture.

Values & Community

• Exemplify Achievement First’s core values in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
• Foster an inclusive, affirming environment where all students feel seen, supported, and challenged.
• Promote the social, emotional, and academic growth of every scholar.

What We Expect Of You

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred.
• Candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may submit additional recommendations for consideration.
• Experience working with K‑12 students required.
• Two or more years of teaching experience preferred.

Certification Requirements

Candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain the appropriate certification required for the position and state of employment.

State Certification Resources

Connecticut: https://portal.ct.gov/sdecertification

Compensation & Benefits

Employees at Achievement First are provided with competitive compensation through a lens of equity and based on an individual’s skills, education, certification, and relevant experience.

Salary Range: [Insert state‑specific salary range]

In addition to compensation, Achievement First offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off
• Professional development and coaching
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

What We Offer

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Competitive salary aligned to experience, education, and internal equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
• Ongoing professional development and instructional coaching
• Collaborative planning time with grade‑level and content teams
• Leadership development opportunities
• Employee assistance and wellness resources

Benefits and eligibility may vary based on position and employment status.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Achievement First is committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees can thrive while advancing our mission of educational excellence and opportunity for every child. Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/