Upper Elementary Special Education Teacher (SY 26-27)

Explore Schools 1; New York (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Scholarship funds for certification/tu

403(b) retirement plan with employer/3

Flexible spending account

Vacation time & paid holidays

Job summary

Explore Schools in Brooklyn, NY seeks an Elementary Special Education Teacher to provide targeted, data-driven instruction for diverse learners in grades K-5. In-person work, equity-focused practices, and collaboration with grade-level teams are key responsibilities.

The role involves managing IEPs, participating in MTSS, and delivering differentiated instruction to meet rigorous standards. A strong commitment to dismantling biases and fostering inclusion is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• New York State Teaching Certification preferred.
• Special Education Certification preferred.
• Master’s Degree in Education strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted small group instruction to students throughout the day and/or co-teach.
• Provide a range of instructional, management, and assessment strategies to meet diverse needs.
• Provide direct service to students to help them achieve IEP goals.
• Collaborate with grade-level teams to support all learners across content areas.
• Plan and deliver differentiated, universally designed instruction to meet rigorous standards.
• Participate in MTSS structures and attend IEP meetings and progress monitoring.

Skills

Relationship building

Culturally responsive pedagogy

Classroom management

Inquiry-based learning

Curriculum adaptation

Detail-oriented

Family collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

New York State Teaching Certification

Special Education Certification

Master’s Degree in Education

Job description

Elementary Special Education Teacher, Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required

This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime

WHO WE ARE

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providingnearly1,700students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is bothstandards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions thatnurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionallyseekto build andmaintaina diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full ofhigh expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

WHO YOU ARE

You are a special educator with experience teaching diverse learners, including studentswho have individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in grades K-5. You are ready toprovidetargeted, data-drivenand individualized instruction to diverse learners. You prioritize student engagement, critical thinking, and relationship building in the classroom. You havedemonstratedthat you are a reflective practitioner willing to goabove and beyondto meet the needs of your studentswhile educatingthe whole child.Additionally, youpossessthe followingqualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Exceptional dedication and intentionality to achieve results and make growth in your own practice and in related student outcomes
• Ability to cultivate a positive classroom culture through building relationships with students andusing classroommanagement strategies to promote safety and inclusion of all students
• Classroom presence: you are clear and precise when sharingnew contentwith students and can effectively lead students through inquiry-based class discussions
• Ability to adapt scripted curriculum
• Detail-orientedand highly organized
• Bachelor’s degreerequired
• Classroom teaching experience required; 2 years strongly preferred
• New York State Teaching Certification, preferred
• Special Education Certification, preferred
• Master’s Degree in Education, strongly preferred

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Nearly 20%of our students receive special education services. As an Elementary Special Education Teacher, you will work with our students with disabilities by providing data driven support through differentiated and specialized instruction. You will be expected to manage the following daily:

• Provide targeted small group instruction to students throughout the dayand/or co-teach
• Providea range of instructional, management, and assessment strategies to meet thedifferent needsof students
• Provide direct service to students to help them achieve their IEP goals
• Collaborate and consult withwithgrade level teams across content areasin order tosupport the needs of all learners
• Planand deliverdifferentiated,universally-designedinstructionin order toensure all students meetrigorousacademicstandards
• Participate in MTSS structures
• Maintain compliance for students on caseload, including participating IEP meetings, writing IEPs andprogress monitoring, and communicating with families around student performance
• Use Responsive Classroom approach to cultivate a positive classroom culture including, but not limited to, morning meeting, teacher language, interactive modeling, and other related practices
• Attend and activelyparticipatein all meetings including PLCs, grade level meetings, and PD sessions
• Assistwith non-instructional supervision of students, such as arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, substitute teaching, lunch and playground duty, or supervision of extracurricular activities
• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversationsin order todismantle white supremacy culture

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools offers our staff a competitive salary and generous benefits package. Our salary scale for this role has beenestablishedusing an equity lens and is based on relevant years of experience, education, and NYS certification.

• Teachers with a bachelor's degree and between 0 – 10 years of experience can expect to receive an annualized base salary of$62,710 - $84,000 for the 2026-2027school year. Teachers with a master's degree and between 0 – 10 years of experience can expect to receive an annualized base salary of$67,486 - $93,636 for the 2026-2027school year.
• We believe teachers get better andare able todeepen their impact over time.Our scale for this role is designed to honor this, and we do not cap years of experience for an incoming teacher. Increases are offered each year based on your tenure.
• We also offer a variety ofadditionalcompensation opportunities including stipends foradditionaltime worked and leadership opportunities,additionalpay for specialized certifications, and more.
• The Recruitment team will be able to share more information about ouradditionalcompensation opportunities, along with where you will be placed on the scale during your first phone screen.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A competitive and comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employeeassistanceprogram (EAP), childcareassistance, a403(b) retirementplan with employer matching, and more!
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities to sit on various committees andparticipatein initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Our school-based staff also receive:
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Continuededucationsupport: staff are eligibletoreceivescholarshipfundstowardsqualifyingtowardsrolerelevantNew YorkStatecertificationcosts,highereducationtuition, andprofessionaldevelopment
• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days aweekwhen possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Explore Schools is a network of6charter schoolslocatedin Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communitiesofBrooklyn, NY. Our schools are currentlyoperatingfully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work isrequired.
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
• The standard work week is45 hours, though at times you may work more.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and move quickly in an emergency.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Aresection,Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It isimportant to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work.We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employmenton the basis ofrace, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status.If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.