Associate Teacher, Lower School

Title: Associate Teacher, Lower School

Reports to: Division Head

Supervises: N/A

Employment Type: Faculty; Full-time, Exempt

Projected Start Date: August 2025

Work Location: 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is an inclusion school dedicated to creating a diverse community that affirms and accepts the full identities of all people, while inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.  

Position Description

The IDEAL School of Manhattan currently seeks a high-energy, passionate educator to offer 1:1 support as an Associate Teacher in Lower School with a student with moderate to significant disabilities in an inclusion classroom. IDEAL’s Associate Teacher program provides a unique opportunity for special and general educators to gain experience through collaboration with established classroom teachers. Associate Teachers will support individual students and may also lead small group instruction and whole group instruction under the guidance of the lead classroom teachers. This role will commence late August 2025.

The incumbent will have a strong ability to collaborate and follow the design of the established classroom routine, as well as the ability to create individual goals for his or her assigned student. Ability to differentiate curriculum, establish an individual schedule, and design instructional strategies is required. Experience with behavior management and ability to implement creative support strategies is a plus.  

In addition to supporting individual students and collaborating with classroom teachers to design and differentiate curriculum, Associate Teachers select an individual area in which they will contribute to school life and be supported in growing their skills.  Some may elect to tutor or lead small groups each day in the Learning Center, while others may lead weekly whole-group instruction within the classroom.  Still others may want to teach an elective in an area of interest, develop an after-school workshop, or create another project that develops a skill set and benefits the IDEAL community. Discussion of the broader area in which successful candidates would like to contribute and grow is a goal setting process.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Working as member of co-teaching team in an inclusive classroom to plan and differentiate curriculum, establish classroom routines, and support all students

• Collaborating and following the design of the established classroom curriculum, as well as creating and implementing individual goals for assigned student

• Partnering with teachers, therapists, and additional professionals on the implementation of support strategies across settings

• Creating differentiated lessons and materials to support assigned student’s access to curriculum

• Communicating proactively on a daily basis with the family of assigned student

• Attending CSE meetings and yearly goal reviews, as needed

• Utilizing specific instructional techniques to meet individual student needs

• Supporting the school by contributing in an aspect of school life determined in coordination with division head and lead teachers

• Providing support for Activities of Daily Living, as needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; candidates currently enrolled in relevant Master's program encouraged

• 1-2 years of relevant school-based, practicum, camp, or volunteer experience 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or current enrollment in relevant Master's program 

• Independent school experience 

Essential Qualities

• Appreciation for the school’s mission, in particular its inclusive learning environment and commitment to social justice

• A desire and eagerness to make a difference in the school--to contribute time and talent outside of therapy sessions to the growth of students and to the broader work and life of the school

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• The ability to collaborate as a part of a team, flexibility, and a sense of humor

Benefits Include: Paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending program, health reimbursement account, commuter benefits program, income protection via short and long-term disability benefits, paid family leave, employer provided lunch options, professional development opportunities, 403(b) plan with employer contribution(waiting period applies).

Salary Range: $46,000-48,000 (this represents the expected salary for this position. Salary will be determined based on education, experience, and other job-related factors)

Equal Opportunity Employer 

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and job applicants and to making all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, caregiver status, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures.

This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.