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Lower School Special Ed Science Teacher; Dept Chair Opportunity Available (2020-21)

Job Details

Quad Preparatory School

Lower School Special Education Science Teacher

*Department Chair Opportunity Available*

Updated: January 25, 2020


Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Lower School Director of Curriculum and Instruction

The Quad Preparatory School is an alternative, non-profit, K-12 college preparatory school dedicated to the education of twice-exceptional students, bright and creative children who learn differently. Quad Prep is a young, fast-growing school founded in 2013 that is a vibrant professional and collegial learning community for employees.

The Quad Preparatory School transforms the lives of twice-exceptional people – those who are gifted and learn differently – by redefining the experience of school. Our personalized model fully integrates social and emotional learning with challenging academics, empowering our students to rise to the level of their extraordinary talents. Through our innovative programs we are leading a larger movement in service of both twice-exceptional people and society at large.


Our teachers, clinicians, and staff joined together to craft our statement of values, which we are proud to share:

  • Quad Prep is a kind and joyful learning community where everyone is celebrated for who they are.
  • We ignite students’ strengths and passions and allow for safe academic pursuit at the highest levels by learning from mistakes.
  • We are trustworthy and steadfast, and our high academic expectations challenge students to grow uniquely as people and in the way they learn.
  • We widen our students’ perspectives, giving them the tools to know themselves and find success in the future of their choosing. 
  • We never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”

The Quad Preparatory School is  looking for a science specialist to teach all sections of science in our Lower School (grades 2-5). The teacher will provide academic instruction and social-emotional support to students in collaboration with our clinicians. Our Lower School science classes typically consist of five students across two consecutive grade levels, and there will be one associate teacher in the classroom to assist in preparing and implementing lessons. Our primary science curriculum consists of Mystery Science units. Candidates are encouraged to visit mysteryscience.com to learn more about this program.

Teachers have the opportunity to receive mentorship, coaching, and support from the clinicians as well as academic administrators. A benefit of this position is the amount of professional development one will obtain in working with twice-exceptional youth and in being mentored by veteran special education teachers, academic administrators,  and clinicians. 

Expectations:

  • Plan and implement high-quality, hands-on, engaging science lessons that are differentiated to meet the learning needs of the students. 
  • 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 teachers and clinicians 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.
  • Collaborate with the Upper School science department chair to develop a vertically aligned science curriculum for grades 2-12.
  • Plan and execute the annual science symposium.
  • Mentor and delegate appropriate tasks to the associate teacher. 
  • 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. 


Department Chair Expectations (if you would like to be considered for the department chair role, please indicate interest in your cover letter):

  • Lead regular meetings with science department staff, including all Upper School science teachers and the Lower School science specialist.
  • Ensure the documentation of each department meeting and communicate and follow-up on action items in a timely fashion.
  • Develop, implement, and refine, in collaboration with academic administration and science faculty, the scope and sequence of the science program for grades 2-12.
  • Establish science standards and, in grades 6-12, criteria for passing and ensure implementation by all members of the science team.
  • Ensure all Upper School science faculty submit syllabi, pacing guides and rubrics to define mastery.
  • Develop, in collaboration with the Chief Learning Specialist, enrichment and extension opportunities for academically gifted science students.
  • Observe and provide meaningful feedback to science teachers.
  • Serve on any search committee for a science teacher.

Competencies:

  • 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 

Work Environment: 

This job operates in a school setting. The school is located on the fourth floor of a building with two elevators. This role requires working in various locations around the school and accompanying students to a local park for outdoor time.


Physical Demands: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping all day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. During fire drills, the employee, unless physically unable, will need to use the stairs to go to ground level from the fourth floor. Typing is required for composing emails and writing reports. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: 

This is a full-time position in an educational facility which is open eight hours a day. Teachers work ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June). Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. In general, though, hours are Monday-Friday 8 A.M.-4 P.M.


Required Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, science education, special education, or a related field.
  • Experience teaching children in grades 2-5.

Preferred Education and Experience: 

  • At least three years experience as a full-time head teacher.
  • Master’s degree in elementary education, science education, science, special education, or a related field.
  • Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education and twice-exceptional youth.
  • Elementary and/or special education teaching credential.
  • Experience teaching science to elementary-aged students.
  • Experience teaching twice-exceptional youth.

AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is based on an inclusive philosophy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, familial status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law in its hiring procedures and policies.

 

 

Company

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, superlative and empathic work of our teachers and clinicians, we are empowering students to leave Quad Prep fully prepared to engage with the exciting and wonderful diversity of this world. 

Entering our 10th year and a new phase of maturity, we are excited to welcome fellow groundbreakers to our team to help us further this inspiring and urgent mission.  We are eager to challenge our status quo, to seek diverse perspectives and work together to develop better practices of neurodiverse education.  The Quad Preparatory School actively seeks to forward diversity through its programs and hiring.

Why work at Quad Prep?

  • 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 highly collaborating to create personalized solutions for each student.  
  • STUDENTS We guarantee that you will learn something eye opening  every single day from our students!
  • 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 well-designed learning sessions keep us growing.
  • GENEROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
    • Health: Medical, Dental, Vision
    • Student Loan Repayment 
    • Group Life Plan
    • Disability Insurance
    • Generous Parental Leave 
  • WORK LIFE BALANCE:  We provide generous PTO and preparation periods so that you can live the life you wish for – inside and outside of our school 
  • PROTECTED TIME *NEW FOR 22–23:  We provide coverage to allow you to  learn from one another, participate  in one of our special PD programs, conduct original research, develop special projects, and participate in our initiatives to create the culture YOU want to work in.  
  • EXTRAS
    • You can build a private practice or tutor onsite during after school hours at very low rent or no cost.

 

Who We Are (If Quad Prep is for you, you'll read what's below and feel, "that's me!")

 

At Quad Prep, we are guided by values that we hold dear and we have developed a set of practices and abilities to meet our mission.  We are:

  • Groundbreaking:  We  ignite our students’ talents and are passionate about their futures. You are:
    • Passionate about our work and  our mission
    • Creative and excited about reaching each and every learner in new ways
    • Excited to use current best practice to create new best practice in this rapidly evolving field
    • Able to set high expectations of both students and yourself and discover ways to meet them
  • Collaborative:  We function with an exceedingly deep degree of collaboration. You:
    • Communicate effectively with colleagues
    • Seek to understand yourself  in order to welcome new perspectives 
    • Are generous of spirit and willing to give and receive feedback freely
  • Trustworthy:  We are steadfast and are accountable to our students and each other  You:
    • 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
  • Constantly Learning and Growing:  You:
    • Seek personal growth
    • Help colleagues learn and improve.
    • Help the organization improve by developing new ideas and approaches.
  • Resourceful:  At Quad Prep, we dig deep to meet our mission.  You are: 
    • Highly effective and disciplined 
    • Show initiative
    • Display good judgment and sensibility
    • Excellent at classroom management
  • Flexible:  At Quad Prep, we never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”   You are:
    • Open to new ideas
    • Nimble in changing environments
    • Excited by ambiguity and change during this time of unprecedented complexity and accelerating innovation
Company info
Telephone
646.649.3913
Location
25 Pine Street
4th Floor
New York
NY
10005
US

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