Self Contained Middle School Special Education Teacher (SY 26-27)

Explore Schools • Brooklyn, NY

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture 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 intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

Requirements

• Experience working with students with disabilities, including students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, specific learning disabilities, and speech and language disabilities.
• Ready to provide targeted, data-driven and responsive instruction to diverse learners.
• Prioritize building a trusting and caring classroom culture, where all learners feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
• Implement instructional and pedagogical strategies focused on moving students towards grade level proficiency.
• Reflective practitioner willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of your students while educating the whole child.
• Relationship builder and a collaborator: enjoy partnering with families, paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, related service providers, and other educators.
• 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, particularly the outcomes of exceptional learners
• Ability to cultivate a positive classroom culture to promote safety and inclusion of all students
• Ability to use differentiated strategies to support students with emotional regulation
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Experience teaching students with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, required
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Classroom teaching experience required

Nice To Haves

• New York State Teaching Certification, strongly preferred
• Special Education Certification, preferred
• Master’s Degree in Education, preferred

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high-quality instruction aligned to students’ IEP goals and state standards.
• Elevate differentiation and universally-designed instruction to ensure all students meet rigorous academic standards
• Provide targeted small group instruction to students
• Utilize a range of instructional, management, and assessment strategies to meet the different needs of students
• Track, monitor, and respond to instructional data to foster student learning
• Maintain compliance for students in your class, including participating in IEP meetings, writing IEPs and progress 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
• Adhere to schoolwide system to support students with emotional regulation, including deescalation
• Partner with Related Service Providers to implement and reinforce student supports
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings including PLCs, grade level meetings, and PD sessions
• Assist with non-instructional supervision of students, such as arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, substitute teaching, lunch and playground duty, or supervision of extracurricular activities
• Build team and community with paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, related service providers, and families to support students
• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversations to dismantle white supremacy culture

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous benefits package
• Additional compensation for attending optional professional development in July or early August
• Increases offered each year based on tenure
• Additional compensation opportunities including stipends for additional time worked and leadership opportunities
• Additional pay for specialized certifications
• Competitive and comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families
• 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
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Childcare assistance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• 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 and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition

What This Job Offers

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