Special Education Teacher (ICT/Self-Contained)

Job description Position(s): Special Education Teacher (ICT/Self-Contained) Reports To: Principal Compensation: Very competitive and commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package and extensive professional development opportunities are also available. Status: Full-Time Works Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:00 PM FLSA Status: Exempt Join our Team We are seeking a Special Education Teacher to work in an ICT setting. As an inclusion teacher, you must collaborate with the general education teacher in the class to plan and present lesson plans, create assessments, and make sure the needs of all students in the classroom are being met. You will oversee the education and training of students with physical, emotional, mental, and learning disabilities. The inclusion teacher's focus is on scaffolding activities and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students, not just the special education students. The Teacher will also evaluate and assess student progress against instructional objectives while following New York State-mandated due-process procedures and functions as IEP Manager to assigned students. The Special Education Teacher will collaborate with school support staff such as school counselors, occupational therapists, psychologists, and parents to help students develop and socialize. About Merrick Academy Merrick Academy is one of the first charter schools to open in New York City and the first to open (2000) in Queens. With a rich history and deep roots in the local community, Merrick Academy is an all-inclusive, independent Charter School with approximately 600 students in grades K-5 and a faculty and staff of 90. Queens’ first charter school, Merrick, has been educating children for over 20 years. Merrick Academy is a STEAM-based school cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry amongst all learners in an environment that provides extensive whole-child support based on ensuring equity and empowerment for all learners through effective and innovative approaches to teaching and learning fostered by a world-class faculty. Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities Utilize the parallel teaching model as the main model for teaching and learning. Assess students’ skills and learning requirements. Design annual Individualized Educational Plans (I.E.P) for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals. Collaborate with parents and school staff to track students’ progress. Monitor students’ behavioral patterns and arrange appropriate interventions if needed. Attend team meetings and work cooperatively with support staff team members and others in developing instructional goals and strategies. Provide research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP. Assess student progress and determine the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques. Create a positive learning experience with emphasis on individualized instruction using appropriate sources including technology devices. Attend and prepare special education evaluation and reevaluation meetings. Provide direction, supervision, and evaluation of educational assistants as directed. Comply with School Board policies and all state/federal rules and regulations. Inform parents of student's progress in the classroom. Complete all district and state reporting requirements. Engage in and support new initiatives, including the use of blended learning, project-based learning Supervise the health, safety, and welfare of students at all times. Bring all significant information relevant to health, safety, and welfare to the immediate attention of the Principal. Utilize all avenues to incorporate past lessons, performance standards, and staff development sessions to design and deliver outstanding lessons. Manage administration of the classroom, including marking daily attendance and lateness, checking notebooks, checking homework, making photocopies, displaying student work, completing meal tracking forms, helping to maintain a clean physical classroom environment, as well as any other administrative aspect of teaching. Organize classroom — including materials, and visual aids in an educationally appropriate way Record each student’s progress through both monitoring forms and marking books. Prepare progress reports (3 times per year) and report cards (4 times per year) and arrange and conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences (3 times per year). Interact with students in a firm, positive and constructive way always Engage in conversation and behavior that uplifts and guides children Recognize and encourage positive behavior Non-Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities Perform additional duties as assigned Support positive connections among students and the larger community that improve the academic and social development of the student and contribute to the achievement of educational goals. Establish and maintain student control and discipline in the classroom, on school premises, or during school activities. Employ and implement a classroom structure and consistency to encourage student responsibility, cooperation, and mutual respect consistent with district policies and procedures. Collaborate and consult with educational professionals and community service providers (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers, etc.) regarding the needs of students. Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptations, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Qualifications & Behavioral Competencies Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred Active New York State Special Education Teaching Certification required Minimum of 2 years of special education teaching experience required Experience working with at-risk student populations in some capacity preferred Working knowledge and comfort level with instructional technology Strong written, grammatical, presentation, and verbal communication skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required to develop rubrics, examine data and metrics that will enhance student knowledge and promote the performance of superior work products Proven ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with a diverse team of teachers and administrators Knowledge of childhood development and demonstrated experience with executing planned lessons to meet the differential needs of each child Open to feedback and committed to continuously improving Job Type: Full-time Pay: $50,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental Insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Experience: Special education: 2 years (Preferred) License/Certification: Teaching Certification (Preferred)