Associate Teacher, Upper School (Grades 6-12)

IDEAL School of Manhattan•New York, NY

9d•$46,000 - $48,000•Onsite

About The Position

IDEAL's Associate Teacher program provides a unique opportunity for emerging special and general educators to gain experience as educators through collaboration with established classroom teachers, therapists, and administrators. IDEAL's Associate Teacher Program is designed to be a three-year program in which they will develop the skills and experience necessary to grow in the field of education and ultimately to take on a lead role in a classroom or in another aspect of school life. Over the course of their three years in the program, Associate Teachers will be asked to work with a range of students and will, in general, be assigned a new student annually. Associate Teachers at IDEAL are required to develop the skills necessary to work with any student at IDEAL. Associate Teachers at IDEAL fill two equally essential roles. The primary role of an IDEAL Associate Teacher is to provide an assigned student in IDEAL’s Dylan Program the individualized support to promote personal and academic excellence and full inclusion in all aspects of IDEAL’s educational program. Under the direction of and with support and instruction from lead teachers and related service providers, Associate Teachers will work individually with an assigned student to: Implement differentiate instruction to promote academic growth and achievement; Establish and implement routines to strengthen executive functioning skills; Cultivate positive behaviors that build relationships and trust; and Facilitate social and emotional growth and connections. Facilitate supports to enable students to be in the classroom The individual work of an Associate Teacher with their assigned student is not limited to specific classes and activities, but rather intended to extend throughout the school day as benefits their individual student’s goals and as determined in consultation with the lead teachers, related service providers, and administrators who work with their assigned student. The secondary role of an IDEAL Associate Teacher is to contribute to the broader work of lead teachers in the classroom and of students within the larger community. Associate Teachers will contribute to school’s overall academic and extracurricular programs by: Providing additional academic support inside and outside of the classroom for all students; Supporting the students’ participation in school programs and activities; and Fostering a positive and peaceable culture within all school settings

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in relevant field
Willingness and learn in an educational environment
Appreciation for the school’s mission, in particular its inclusive learning environment and commitment to social justice
A desire and eagerness to make a difference in the school--to contribute time and talent outside of therapy sessions to the growth of students and to the broader work and life of the school
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to assist and support a student with physical mobility needs, including safely maneuvering a manual wheelchair and assisting with the proper use of adaptive educational and mobility equipment
The ability to collaborate as a part of a team, flexibility, and a sense of humor

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or current enrollment in relevant Master's program
Independent school experience
Spanish fluency or TESOL certification preferred to effectively support English language learners
At least one year of experience in a school or similar setting

Responsibilities

Work as member of co-teaching team in an inclusive classroom to implement differentiated curriculum, establish classroom routines, and support all students
Will become familiar with and implement the individual goals of their assigned student within the specific context of each of that student’s classes and activities
Partner with lead teachers, related service providers, and other professionals on the implementation of support strategies across settings
Implement differentiated materials designed by the lead teacher to support assigned students access to the curriculum in all classes and activities
Gather all necessary tools and facilitate their utilization
Communicating proactively on a regular basis with the family of assigned student
Provide support for Activities of Daily Living, as needed
Demonstrated flexibility supporting multiple different students who will offer new opportunities and pose new challenges
Attend meetings as required by the school
Implementing differentiating curriculum
Fostering academic, social-emotional, and executive-functioning skills of children
Integrating the individual goals of students across all school settings
Collaborating with colleagues in a wide variety of roles
Crafting communications for with parents and caregivers in routine and specific circumstances
Contributing to the daily activities of the school in which their student is involved
Support other students and to substitute for lead teachers or other associate teachers as needed
Develop a “passion project,” in collaboration with their division head that supports both their own growth and that of the school as a whole.
Designing and leading advisory activities
Developing a specialized workshop
Planning experiential learning opportunities
Working closely with a lead teacher in a chosen discipline to develop a unit or differentiated materials
Plan a special school-wide event
Assist a related service provider or administrator
Design and assume full responsibility for an elective or class (for third-year Associate Teachers with Masters degree and/or required expertise and experience)