Special Education Teacher

The International Academy of Hope (iHOPE); New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Academy of Hope (iHOPE) seeks a dedicated Special Education Teacher to lead a classroom of school-aged students (3-21) with brain-based disabilities. You will provide instructional and behavioral support, align with therapy recommendations, and manage IEP processes.

Responsibilities include developing annual goals, progress reports, parent communication, and supervising support staff in a multisensory, technology-enabled learning environment.

Qualifications

• Certification in NYS for Teachers of Students with Disabilities (SWD) or Permanent Special Education Certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in education with active pursuit of Master’s level certification within 5 years.
• Two years of experience in childcare, social services, healthcare or school-based role.

Responsibilities

• Plan and teach students with brain-based disabilities, providing instructional and behavioral management support to students, individually and in small groups.
• Collaborate with each student’s school therapy team and implement therapy recommendations.
• Prepare and document annual academic goals and quarterly progress reports; participate in IEP meetings and related team meetings.
• Communicate with parents regularly and involve them in their child’s activities and progress.
• Provide direction and supervision to paraprofessionals and teacher assistants in the classroom.
• Utilize a multisensory approach incorporating art, music, and technology to design lessons to increase literacy, numeracy, communication, social, and life skills.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Initiative

Multi-tasking

Deadline oriented

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in education

Teaching Certification NYS (SWD)

Master's degree in Special Education (preferred)

Job description

The iHOPE school community strives to provide comprehensive services for our students, who present with a variety of diagnoses including Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, and other brain-based disorders. Our students participate in academic instruction with appropriate modification and adaptation, as well as therapeutic services, based upon a collaborative, researched-based model that integrates current technology. iHOPE is committed to learners with complex needs and to their social, emotional, adaptive and educational advancement. Accessibility and integration into the larger community are at the core of our belief system

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Oversees a classroom of school-aged children (ages 3-21) with brain-based disabilities and/or with other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
• Prepares lessons and teaches students, providing instructional and behavioral management support to students, both individually and in small groups.
• Incorporates social skills into daily lesson plans and activities.
• Collaborates with each student’s school therapy team as necessary and appropriate, and implements therapy recommendations to support optimal treatment of the student.
• Prepares and appropriately documents annual academic goals for students and compiles quarterly progress reports; participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) process including IEP meetings and team meetings, or legal hearings, when necessary and appropriate.
• Communicates and collaborates and/or meets with parents on a regular basis and involves parents in their child’s activities and progress.
• Provides direction, support and supervision to the paraprofessionals, teacher assistants and/or Associate Special Education Teachers in their classroom.
• Utilizes a multisensory approach incorporating art, music, and technology to design lessons to increase students’ literacy, numeracy, communication, social, and life skills.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned
• Current certification and registration as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (grades B-2, 1-6, 7-12 and/or All Grades) or Permanent Special Education Certification, issued by the New York State Education Department; or
• Bachelor’s degree in education or closely related field and active pursuit of master’s level education in a New York State Registered Program for Special Education Teacher’s Certificate (or equivalent), with anticipated completion and receipt of certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities within 5 (five) years of appointment; and two (2) years of experience in childcare, social services, healthcare and/or other school-based role.
• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task & meet deadlines
• Highly flexible personality type

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Master’s degree in special education strongly preferred
• Current NYS certification and registration as a teacher in special education (Students with Disabilities, Permanent in Special Education, etc.)
• Previous experience with school-aged children with special needs