History Head Teacher (Middle School)

Stephen Gaynor School•New York, NY

About The Position

We seek a dynamic, flexible, and innovative individual with a Humanities background and preferably special education experience to join our teaching team for the 26_27 school year, starting in August 2026. The ideal candidate has worked with students with learning disabilities and is eager to grow and learn with an experienced team of professionals, teaching students with various skill levels and inspiring and developing students’ interests and abilities in history and social studies. Essential Functions: Teach a range of topics related to the history curriculum, with a specific focus on American history with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. The ability to teach writing and study/student skills is expected. Develop and implement engaging, diverse, and inclusive history curricula that emphasize historical thinking, inquiry, and literacy. Teach advisory class daily, focusing on social-emotional topics and executive functioning, as well as community building. Establish class routines and behavioral expectations. Collaborate with colleagues, Assistant Teacher, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and subject area specialists to design and implement class curriculum, as well as instruction goals for individual students. Write progress reports, prepare and attend conferences. Communicate with families during conferences and at other times as necessary to promote students’ social, emotional, and academic progress. Develop a joyful and productive learning community where students feel safe to take risks Attend and participate in IEP meetings and Impartial Hearings as required Attend full faculty and staff meetings, as well as other required meetings, including division/cluster meetings. Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community. Ensure a commitment to the school’s DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds. Be an active member of the Gaynor community Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required (History focus preferred)
Two to three years’ experience as a Head Teacher working with children with learning disabilities
Share a deep interest in history
Comfortable and adept in speaking with children, parents, and teachers.
Knowledge of the cognitive, linguistic, and developmental needs
Strong communication (both written and verbal) , organizational and collaboration skills with a kind and supportive demeanor.
Ability to be flexible to adjust to classroom instruction, while ensuring the needs of all learners are met
Effective classroom management, communication, and organizational skills
Manages time to maximize student learning with the ability to multitask
Excellent interpersonal skills
Sets a respectful, collaborative, and positive tone, both inside and outside of the classroom and recognizes our responsibility to create a diverse and inclusive environment that supports and celebrates each individual in our school community
Proficient in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs & Sheets) and Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and/or Special Education preferred
Experience working with children with learning differences (preferred)
Experience using an Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction (preferred)
Independent or special education school teaching experience (preferred)

Responsibilities

Teach a range of topics related to the history curriculum, with a specific focus on American history with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens.
Develop and implement engaging, diverse, and inclusive history curricula that emphasize historical thinking, inquiry, and literacy.
Teach advisory class daily, focusing on social-emotional topics and executive functioning, as well as community building.
Establish class routines and behavioral expectations.
Collaborate with colleagues, Assistant Teacher, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and subject area specialists to design and implement class curriculum, as well as instruction goals for individual students.
Write progress reports, prepare and attend conferences.
Communicate with families during conferences and at other times as necessary to promote students’ social, emotional, and academic progress.
Develop a joyful and productive learning community where students feel safe to take risks
Attend and participate in IEP meetings and Impartial Hearings as required
Attend full faculty and staff meetings, as well as other required meetings, including division/cluster meetings.
Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community.
Ensure a commitment to the school’s DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds.
Be an active member of the Gaynor community
Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate