What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lower School Special Education Head Teacher position at Quad Preparatory School?
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Lower School Academic Director
Annual Salary Range: $61,000-$110,000
At Quad Prep, we are on a mission — to transform the lives of neurodiverse, twice-exceptional people by redefining the experience of school. Through the collective, collaborative, and empathic work of our teachers and clinicians, we are empowering our students to engage with the exciting and wonderful diversity of this world.
As we enter our 13th year, we are excited to welcome fellow innovators and collaborative colleagues to our team to be a part of this inspiring and impactful mission. At Quad Prep, a New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Accredited School, we are eager to create challenging and engaging learning experiences for our students, to seek diverse perspectives, and to work together to continuously refine and redefine best practices in neurodiverse education. The Quad Preparatory School actively seeks to advance diversity through its programs and hiring.
Why work at Quad Prep?
- ACCREDITED SCHOOL: Quad Prep was recognized as an outstanding school when it received accreditation last year through NYSAIS.
- COMMUNITY: We are committed to building a joyful and inclusive culture where everybody is celebrated for who they are.
- COLLEAGUES: Our colleagues are inspiring, consummate innovators and are at their happiest collaborating to create personalized solutions for each student.
- STUDENTS We guarantee that you will learn something eye-opening every single day from our students — and have a lot of joy and laughter along the way!
- DEEP PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Quad Prep supports mission-driven educators and clinicians to grow their professional skills and influence in the neurodiversity educational space. Close collaboration with colleagues, coaching from supportive leaders, and thoughtful, in-depth professional learning programs keep us growing.
- GENEROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
- Health: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Student Loan repayment
- Retirement Plan contribution
- Group Life Plan
- Disability Insurance
- Generous Parental Leave
- WORK LIFE BALANCE: In addition to a ten-month school year during which our staff are offered on average 33 days off (approximately 7 weeks) for scheduled holidays and school breaks, we provide generous preparation periods throughout each week, limiting the number of after work hours you will need to work — so that you can live the life you wish for — inside and outside of our school. Additionally, our students are dismissed midday each Friday in order for you to meet with your team and division, as well as plan, and prep.
- EXTRAS You can build a private practice or tutor onsite during after school hours at low-cost reduced rates, available only to our Quad Prep staff.
- Passionate about our work and our mission
- Creative and excited about reaching each and every learner in new ways
- Excited to help create new, evidence-based best practices in this rapidly evolving field
- Able to set high expectations of both students and yourself and discover ways to meet them
- Communicate effectively with colleagues
- Seek to understand yourself and others in order to welcome new perspectives
- Are generous of spirit and willing to give and receive feedback and input freely
- Are kind, welcoming, and inclusive
- Can be counted on to do what you say you will do
- Have a high level of ownership for personal and team results
- Can purposefully develop skills to find success in your work and our learning community
- Ask for support when you need it
- Project an unflappable, firm, and kind presence to our students
- Seek opportunities to learn and grow in your professional practice
- Support colleagues by sharing best practices and nurturing their learning
- Help the organization grow and improve by developing and sharing new ideas and approaches
- Are highly effective and dedicated
- Show initiative
- Display good judgment and sensibility
- Excellent at supporting students inside and outside the classroom
- Open to new ideas
- Nimble in fluid, changing environments
- Excited by growth, change, and innovation
- Plan and implement high-quality, engaging lessons that are differentiated to meet the learning needs of the students.
- Develop individualized educational plans for each student and maintain a constant structure and routine throughout the school day.
- Collaborate with the clinical team to develop and implement behavioral plans for each student.
- Regularly assess the students and the curriculum, adapting content and instruction as appropriate; communicating assessment results to parents.
- Subscribe to and implement the school’s philosophy of progressive and personalized education for twice-exceptional children.
- Collaborate with the psychosocial teacher in planning and implementing an integrated program for executive functioning within the academic curriculum.
- Map and evaluate curriculum.
- Create and maintain an orderly and aesthetic learning environment that accounts for students’ social, emotional, and executive functioning needs.
- Maintain accurate records and carefully managed portfolios of student work to illustrate and record progress and achievement.
- Empower students to take charge of their learning by providing all necessary scaffolding, modeling, materials, and resources, and consistently maintain a high level of expectation for student success.
- Collaborate with other academic staff and psychosocial staff members to plan, integrate, and facilitate cross-curricular, inquiry-based projects.
- Communicate with parents and guardians to provide feedback on pupils’ academic and social-emotional progress through parent-teacher conferences, written reports, phone calls, and emails.
- Mentor and delegate appropriate tasks to the associate teacher, in collaboration with the other head teacher in the classroom.
- Follow the professional code and policies of the school and conduct oneself in a way that promotes the mission of the school.
- Utilize Google Suite, in particular Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets.
- Attend all faculty and staff meetings and required special events (e.g., open houses, Curriculum Night, Carnivale).
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Love for working with children
- Desire and ability to work with students with special needs
- Lesson planning and the ability to provide engaging and differentiated instruction
- Ability to connect with school-aged children
- Effective oral and written communication
- A solid understanding of elementary-aged children’s academic, social, and emotional development
- Attention to detail
- Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
- Ethical conduct
- Time management and the ability to multitask
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Patience and flexibility
- Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, special education, or a related field.
- Minimum one year paid experience teaching children in grades K-5 as a full-time head teacher.
- At least three years experience as a full-time Special Education head teacher.
- Master’s degree in Special Education, or a related field.
- Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education, twice-exceptional youth and behavioral management
- Special education teaching credential.
- Experience teaching twice-exceptional youth.
- CPI training
Salary : $61,000 - $110,000
