Preschool Special Education Mentor Teacher - Brooklyn/ Staten Island

ADAPT Community Network•Brooklyn, NY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

We are currently looking for a Mentor Teacher to support our William O'Connor: Bay Ridge and Staten Island Children's Program. This position will support both schools. ADAPT Community Network, formerly United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of NYC provides a multitude of services to people with developmental disabilities. At ADAPT, we are 3,000 strong, and it takes every one of us to empower the lives of the people we support. With caring and great resources at hand, we know what it takes to help people live fuller, happier, healthier lives. Our employees show their commitment to the people we support every day, and we all deliver on our promise to provide innovative and comprehensive services to individuals with developmental disabilities. For your next career move, apply with us at ADAPT Community Network! Wherever you work among our many locations around New York City, ADAPT offers paid training, competitive benefits, and we foster a team culture of learning, support, collaboration and career growth. SUMMARY Under the general direction of the Director, the Mentor Teacher is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality educational instruction to students in Special Education and Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Programs. This role involves planning and implementing individualized educational programs, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory standards, and fostering a developmentally appropriate and inclusive classroom environment. The Mentor Teacher also serves as an instructional or teacher-team leader and professional development coach within the school building. They provide ongoing support, guidance, and modeling to teachers, assistant teachers, and student teachers to enhance instructional quality and student outcomes. As a teacher-team leader, the Mentor Teacher ensures collaboration among interdisciplinary teams (i.e., related service providers, families, etc.) and contributes to continuous program improvement.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, speak and understand English
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines
Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and appropriate software
Good interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with coworkers, employees, children and their parents and outside contacts
Must maintain confidentiality of student’s records
Must maintain confidentiality of staff records
Ability to analyze problems and determine corrective measures
Passion for ADAPT's mission and demonstrates a commitment to the non-profit disability sector.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education required
New York State Certification in Special Education for Special Education Teachers
New York State Certification in Early Childhood Education or N-6 (for Day Care and UPK Teachers)
Meet all additional NY State Certification requirements

Responsibilities

Plan, implement, and adapt daily lessons and classroom activities based on students' developmental levels and individual education plans (IEPs).
Develop and maintain both short- and long-term instructional goals and evaluate student progress regularly.
Participate in student evaluations, intake assessments, and transition planning processes.
Develop educational reports, including annual reviews, quarterly progress reports, and formal assessments in all developmental domains, where needed.
Ensure that lesson plans and classroom materials are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and accessible to all learners.
Maintain up-to-date and accurate student records, including attendance, data tracking, and anecdotal reports.
Implement and support the classroom environment with evidence-based instructional strategies and classroom management techniques.
Provide mentoring, modeling, and instructional coaching to teachers and teacher assistants, fostering a culture of reflective practice and professional growth.
Conduct regular classroom observations and provide constructive feedback aligned with agency expectations and instructional goals.
Lead professional development initiatives, in-service training sessions, and orientation programs for new and existing staff.
Collaborate with teachers to design and implement differentiated instructional strategies and individualized behavior supports.
Support the professional development and supervision of student teachers and interns on Study Plans.
Act as team leader for each student’s interdisciplinary team, facilitating collaboration and goal alignment.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, annual reviews, and other program-related committees (e.g., Education Curriculum Committee).
Maintain regular communication with the Director / Assistant Director and participate in weekly update meetings to discuss classroom performance, student progress, and staffing needs.
Collaborate with related service providers, families, and other professionals to ensure cohesive educational planning and implementation.
Oversee classroom setup, including furniture, materials, and adaptive equipment to optimize learning and ensure safety.
Manage and requisition of classroom supplies and materials in accordance with budgetary procedures.
Support arrival, dismissal, and transition routines; assist students with personal care needs including feeding, toileting, and dressing, as needed.
Implement universal precautions and adhere to health and safety protocols as noted in Article 47.
Substitute in other classrooms or support staff coverage when needed.
Attend all required staff meetings and trainings.
Contribute to curriculum development, lesson planning frameworks, and instructional resources aligned with state learning standards and agency goals.
Support the implementation of inclusive practices.
Stay informed of current trends and best practices in early childhood and special education through professional development, research, and continuing education.
Promote the agency’s mission and advocate for the needs and dignity of students with disabilities.
Contribute to Curriculum Committee meetings
Performs other related duties as requested.