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

Abilities First • New Windsor, NY

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Abilities First is hiring a Special Education Teacher for its Straus Family Pavilion school program in New Windsor, New York. The teacher joins an interdisciplinary team supporting school-aged children and is responsible for assessing individual student needs, developing and implementing lesson plans, supervising classroom staff, and supporting curriculum planning and development.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 35 hours per week and 48 weeks per year. The role follows the school calendar from September through June and includes a six-week summer program. Annual salary is $52,624–$53,624 with a bachelor’s degree or $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 position 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, graduate-level coursework in Special Education, and New York State Provisional Certification or a Certificate of Qualification. The teacher must be able to perform specified physical tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation, and communicate verbally and in writing in English for regulatory documentation.

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.
• 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 students’ individual, age-appropriate educational needs.
• Write IEPs, monthly progress notes, and weekly lesson plans.
• Organize and maintain a neat, structured classroom environment, including its space, materials, scheduling, and behavior management.
• Coordinate classroom support staff in assessing, planning for, and implementing each student’s IEP.
• Assist students with classroom needs such as diaper changes, toileting, and feeding, while leading by example.
• Escort and assist students to and from the bus, encouraging greater independence in orientation and mobility.
• Observe and arrange for staff to observe related services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and vision services, to support implementation of goals in the classroom.
• Encourage the push-in model of therapy in the classroom when appropriate.
• Maintain positive communication with staff and other professionals and foster a positive social-emotional climate for staff and students.
• Attend agency and community staff meetings and in-service training, and share acquired 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 the school day.
• 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 and HIPAA standards, and applicable federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations.
• Adhere to the agency’s Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, performing responsibilities with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith, and respect for others and the law.

Benefits

• Personal and sick time, with additional paid time off in accordance with the school calendar.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Free Employee Assistance Program available 24/7.
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Access to Free Will.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Career development training opportunities.
• On Demand Pay, providing access to earnings as early as the next day.
• Staff appreciation events, employee awards, team celebrations, and ongoing recognition of exceptional performance and service.

What This Job Offers

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