Special Education Teacher

About the role

Birch Family Services is a leading provider of education, employment, and community support services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families in New York City. Every year, the organization supports more than 2,000 people across 31 locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Educators work in a supportive and collaborative environment with direct access to leadership and the opportunity to influence how we make a direct and lasting impact on children and their families.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a collaborative leader of the classroom team, providing instruction in a variety of settings using effective instructional techniques customized to individual student goals and objectives; provide appropriate instruction to other classroom staff.
• Effectively organize the classroom environment, instructional materials, and schedule to match and maximize learning, including maintaining clean and organized work and common areas.
• Utilize appropriate assessment tools and ongoing data collection to:
  • Develop and implement goals and objectives for each child.
  • Measure and communicate present level of performance.
  • Make referrals as necessary.
• Adhere to the school philosophy regarding behavior management and implement all relevant techniques appropriately.
• Understand your role in language and communication facilitation and appropriately utilize techniques for each child.
• Conduct or participate in all activities and meetings relevant to the position or required by supervisor (e.g., Initial and Annual Reviews, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Open School Night, Home Visits, Parent Center meetings, Team, Department, and Classroom Meetings).
• Comply with regulatory requirements and school policy and procedures in all areas; complete and submit within designated timeframes all necessary documentation for regulatory and funding agencies.
• Maintain appropriate and effective interpersonal relationships with team and department members, parents, other staff, supervisors, administrators, and outside agencies.
• Demonstrate:
  • Open communication, flexibility, and the ability to learn and utilize team-building strategies.
  • The ability to self-evaluate, utilize supervision, and problem-solve.
  • The ability to both offer and accept assistance to/from others.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA or Master’s Degree.
• Experience working with special needs students.
• New York State Certification in Special Education for Students with Disabilities, B-2 Initial or Professional. Willing to consider an individual with a BA who is currently enrolled in a Special Education Master’s Program leading to Teacher Certification.
• Trained or willing to be trained in CPR/First Aid, SCIP, CPI, and Choking Prevention.