Special Education Teacher - Abilities First Middletown Education Center

Abilities First • Middletown, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Abilities First is seeking a patient, energetic, and passionate Special Education Teacher for its Middletown Education Center in Middletown, New York. The role works with an interdisciplinary team to deliver educational programming for school-age children across all levels of ability and attends to students’ daily needs. The teacher plans and coordinates individualized instruction, assesses student performance, develops and maintains structured classrooms, coordinates classroom support staff, and collaborates with families and other professionals to support each student’s educational needs.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for 35 hours per week and 48 weeks per year, including a six-week summer program. The stated 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 position requires appropriate New York State teaching certification or qualification, depending on educational background.

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 Certificate of Qualification.
• Verbal and written communication skills in English sufficient to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.
• Ability to push and pull students in wheelchairs; lift, bend, squat, turn at the knees, pivot, and grasp with both hands, with or without reasonable accommodation, to safely perform CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention, and lifting and carrying techniques.
• Eligibility requirements may apply.

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 each student.
• Write IEPs, monthly progress notes, and weekly lesson plans.
• Organize and maintain a neat, structured classroom environment, including space, materials, scheduling, and behavior management.
• Coordinate classroom support staff in assessing, planning, and implementing each student’s IEP.
• Assist students with daily classroom needs, including diapering, toileting, and feeding, and lead staff by example.
• Escort and assist students to and from buses while supporting increased independence in orientation and mobility.
• Observe and arrange for staff observations of related services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and vision services, to support implementation of service 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 supportive social-emotional climate for staff and students.
• Attend agency and community professional 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 a sufficient and safe level of student supervision throughout the school day.
• Follow agency policies and procedures and maintain regard for personal and others’ safety.
• 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 laws and regulations.
• Adhere to the agency 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 with 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