Teacher- Special Education

YAI • New York, NY

22h • $60,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This position oversees a classroom of school-aged children (ages 3 – 21) with brain-based disabilities and/or with other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The teacher prepares lessons and provides instructional and behavioral management support to students, both individually and in small groups, incorporating social skills into daily lesson plans. Collaboration with each student’s school therapy team is necessary to implement therapy recommendations. Responsibilities also include preparing and documenting annual academic goals, compiling quarterly progress reports, and participating in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, including meetings or legal hearings. Regular communication and collaboration with parents are essential to involve them in their child’s activities and progress. The teacher provides direction, support, and supervision to paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, and/or Associate Special Education Teachers in their classroom. A multisensory approach, incorporating art, music, and technology, is utilized to design lessons aimed at increasing students’ literacy, numeracy, communication, social, and life skills. YAI was founded in February 1957 in Brooklyn, New York, by Bert MacLeech and Pearl Maze MacLeech, initially serving seven people. YAI has always been dedicated to providing innovative services for the I/DD community, with a vision for a “total life adjustment approach, emphasizing personal growth, social responsibility, employment goals, and the development of independence for the individual.” This vision was revolutionary at a time when institutional living was common for people with I/DD. Today, YAI has over 4,000 employees and supports more than 20,000 individuals in the I/DD community, including those with autism, Down syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. Operating throughout Downstate New York and Northern New Jersey, YAI offers over 300 programs for people of all ages. The organization is driven by its mission of living, loving, working, and learning, applying this not only to the people they support but also to their staff. Commitment and passion unite employees and drive the organization forward, with empowering individuals to reach their goals remaining central to YAI's mission.

Requirements

• Current certification and registration as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (grades B-2, 1-6, 7-12 and/or All Grades) or Permanent Special Education Certification, issued by the New York State Education Department; or Bachelor’s degree in education or closely related field and active pursuit of master’s level education in a New York State Registered Program for Special Education Teacher’s Certificate (or equivalent), with anticipated completion and receipt of certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities within 5 (five) years of appointment
• Two (2) years of experience in childcare, social services, healthcare and/or other school-based role.
• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task & meet deadlines
• Highly flexible personality type

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in special education strongly preferred
• Current NYS certification and registration as a teacher in special education (Students with Disabilities, Permanent in Special Education, etc.)
• Previous experience with school-aged children with special needs

Responsibilities

• Oversees a classroom of school-aged children (ages 3 – 21) with brain-based disabilities and/or with other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
• Prepares lessons and teaches students, providing instructional and behavioral management support to students, both individually and in small groups.
• Incorporates social skills into daily lesson plans and activities.
• Collaborates with each student’s school therapy team as necessary and appropriate, and implements therapy recommendations to support optimal treatment of the student.
• Prepares and appropriately documents annual academic goals for students and compiles quarterly progress reports; participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) process including IEP meetings and team meetings, or legal hearings, when necessary and appropriate.
• Communicates and collaborates and/or meets with parents on a regular basis and involves parents in their child’s activities and progress.
• Provides direction, support and supervision to the paraprofessionals, teacher assistants and/or Associate Special Education Teachers in their classroom.
• Utilizes a multisensory approach incorporating art, music, and technology to design lessons to increase students’ literacy, numeracy, communication, social, and life skills.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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