Teacher- Special Education

Manhattan Star Academy; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Manhattan Star Academy is seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher to design and implement lessons for students with IEPs and various disabilities. You will differentiate instruction for small groups and individuals, collaborate with therapy teams, and document progress toward annual goals.

The role requires current NYS certification for Students with Disabilities or active pursuit of certification, plus relevant experience in school settings. Strong communication with parents is essential.

Qualifications

• Current certification and registration as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities orPermanent Special Education Certification by NYSED.
• Bachelor’s degree in education and active pursuit of master’s level education in an NYS Registered Program with anticipated certification within 5 years.
• Two years of experience in childcare, social services, healthcare or other school-based setting.
• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task and meet deadlines

Responsibilities

• Oversees a classroom of school-aged children (ages 3–21) with brain-based or other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Prepares lessons and teaches students with instructional and behavioral management support.
• Incorporates social skills into daily lesson plans and activities.
• Collaborates with therapy team and implements therapy recommendations.
• Prepares and documents annual academic goals and quarterly progress reports; participates in IEP meetings.
• Communicates with and involves parents in child’s activities and progress.
• Provides direction to paraprofessionals and teacher assistants in the classroom.
• Uses multisensory approaches (art, music, technology) to support literacy and life skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Preferred: NYS certification in Special Education and related credentials

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Multi-tasking

Initiative

Education

Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification

Bachelor's degree in education

Master's degree in Special Education (preferred)

NYS certification for Students with Disabilities

Job description

Under the direction of education leadership, the Special Education Teacher designs and implements lesson plans for students based on their individualized education needs (differentiation) and prepares to teach students in whole-group, small group and individualized sessions, as appropriate. Employs appropriate teaching methods based on student needs and supports a multisensory approach by coordinating with therapy team, as appropriate. Prepares, modifies and tracks progress related to annual academic goals and/or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for assigned students.

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