Preschool Special Education Teacher - Abilities First Straus Family Pavilion School in New Windsor NY

Abilities First • New Windsor, NY

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Abilities First is seeking a patient, energetic, and passionate Preschool Special Education Teacher for the Straus Family Pavilion Pre-School program in New Windsor, New York. Using an integrated services model, the teacher assesses each student’s individual needs, plans and develops curriculum, carries therapy goals into the classroom, and coordinates classroom support staff. The position serves students with developmental disabilities and supports their educational needs, independence, safety, and social-emotional development.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 35 hours per week, for 48 weeks per year, including a six-week summer program. The listed annual pay range is $52,624–$53,684 with a bachelor’s degree and $57,684–$58,684 with a master’s degree. Actual starting pay depends on qualifications, experience, skills, education, internal equity, and other job-related factors.

The role requires a master’s degree in Special Education with appropriate New York State teaching certification, or a bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field with graduate-level coursework in Special Education and New York State Provisional Certification or a Certificate of Qualification. Certification for grades 1–6 is also stated as required.

Abilities First is a mission-driven organization serving people with developmental disabilities and describes itself as an equal opportunity employer. The position is full-time and eligible for benefits including personal and sick time, additional paid time off in accordance with the school calendar, medical, dental and vision plans, a free 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, retirement savings plan options, employer-paid life insurance, access to Free Will, tuition reimbursement, career development training, on-demand pay, and staff appreciation events, awards, celebrations, and recognition.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Special Education with appropriate New York State Teaching Certification; or a bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field, graduate-level coursework in Special Education, and New York State Provisional Certification or a Certificate of Qualification.
• Certification for grades 1–6 is required.
• Ability to push and pull students in wheelchairs and to lift, bend, squat, turn at the knees, pivot, and grasp with both hands, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Verbal and written communication skills in English sufficient to complete regulatory documentation.

Responsibilities

• Use standardized and non-standardized assessment tools to determine each student’s current level of performance.
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of an instructional program that meets the individual, age-appropriate educational needs of students in the classroom.
• Write IEPs, monthly progress notes, and weekly lesson plans.
• Organize and maintain a neat, structured learning environment, including classroom space, materials, scheduling, and behavior management.
• Coordinate classroom support staff in assessing, planning for, and implementing each student’s IEP.
• Assist students according to staffing patterns and student needs, including diapering, toileting, and feeding, and lead staff by example.
• Escort and assist students to and from the bus while supporting increased independence in orientation and mobility.
• Observe, and arrange for staff to observe, related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and vision services to support classroom implementation of therapy goals.
• Encourage the push-in model of therapy in the classroom when appropriate.
• Maintain positive communication with staff and other professionals and foster a constructive social-emotional climate for classroom staff and students.
• Attend agency and community professional or general staff meetings and in-service training, and share relevant knowledge with staff.
• Share student information with professionals at classroom team meetings, doctors’ conferences, and school district Committee on Special Education annual meetings.
• Provide and maintain sufficient and safe supervision of each student during school hours.
• Follow agency policies and procedures and maintain regard for personal safety and the safety of others.
• Perform other appropriate job-related activities as required by the immediate supervisor or circumstances.
• Ensure employees follow the Code of Ethical and Legal Behavior, Corporate Compliance standards, HIPAA, and applicable federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations.
• Adhere to the agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior and perform responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards.

Benefits

• Personal and sick time, with additional paid time off in accordance with the school calendar
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Free 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement savings plan options
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Access to Free Will
• Tuition reimbursement
• Career development training opportunities
• On-demand pay
• Staff appreciation events, employee awards, team celebrations, and ongoing recognition

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level