Middle School Special Education Teacher

Who We Are

Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our school's mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.

Understanding the Role

Every member of the Instructional Team at Challenge Charter Schools plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for their students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure that our students have access to opportunities. We are especially committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because we believe the best work we do is grounded in the realities and experiences of our families and students. As a Special Education Teacher, you will deliver exceptional instruction and assess student growth. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Work in a collaborative team teaching environment or individual classroom setting

• Engage students in active learning

• Integrate technology into core classroom instruction

• Use assessment data to modify and improve student learning

• Utilize an online student system to track student progress through competencies and keep up to date assignments for students

• Contribute to program design and implementation

• Participate in all staff programs and academic planning, implementation, and evaluation

• Work collaboratively with other staff and teachers daily

• Enforce and uphold school policies and culture

• Communicate effectively and maintain consistent relationships with students, colleagues, and families

• Any additional responsibilities assigned by Administration

Skills, Qualifications, and/or Competencies Required:

• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues

• You possess an exceptional level of patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results

• Strong classroom management skills: you can set high expectations in the classroom and keep scholars engaged

• Classroom presence: you are clear and precise when sharing new content with students and can effectively lead students through inquiry-based class discussions

• Detail-oriented, and highly organized

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's Degree in Education, preferred

• New York State Teaching Certification required

Benefits & Perks

• Challenge Charter School's staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off, matching of retirement contributions up to 3%, and more.

• Comprehensive benefits package including four health plans to choose from, two dental plans, and vision insurance. We also offer flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care, and transit.

• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities

• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment

• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning

• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals

$60,000 - $120,000 a year

Salary is based on qualification and experience.

School Site

12-79 Redfern Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Selection Process

Phase I - Phone Interview with a member of the Human Resources Team

Phase II - Virtual Panel Interview with the Elementary Leadership Team on Google Meet

Phase III - In-Person Lesson Delivery

Phase IV - Final Interview with Senior Director of Teaching and Learning K-5

Phase V - Reference Check

Final - Offer and Contract