Teacher Elementary Autism Special Education Teacher (SY 23-24)
Job Description
Company Description
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 54 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.
Uncommon Schools in Brooklyn currently manages twenty four schools serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. Our students in Brooklyn have an impressive 99% college acceptance rate.
Job Description
The Autism Special Education Classroom Teacher is passionate about assisting in the development of individual and small group instruction to meet the unique needs of Autistic students. The Special Education Autism Classroom Teacher holds primary responsibility for providing academic services and collaborating with related service providers for students who require a specialized self-contained program to thrive academically, behaviorally, and socially.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The Autism Special Education Classroom Teacher will:
Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students, both in and out of school
Show unwavering commitment to urban youth with disabilities achieving greatness
Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students are continuously progressing towards their IEP goals
Design and implement curricula and activities that meet the needs of the students in the special education program and to meet individualized academic standards
Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards
Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices
Provide individualized and consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the individual behavior plans and goals for each student
Be accountable for students’ mastery of goals as outlined in their Individualized Education Programs
Share responsibility for school-wide activities
Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities
Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral needs
Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
Engage families in their children’s education through frequent contact
Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings
Participate in an annual three-week staff orientation and training
Mentor and engage the classroom paraprofessional(s) in instructional practice and professional development
Include the classroom paraprofessional(s) in daily classroom activities to help students meet academic standards
Implement and enhance the school’s systems and culture
Build professional relationships and collaborate with the Child Study Team Supervisor, members of the Child Study Team, Principal, Dean of Students, Program Director, Case Manager, and other school staff to maximize the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students’ development
Perform other related duties as required and assigned
Qualifications
Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
Knowledge of laws and regulations governing special education
Experience working with students on the Autism Spectrum
Effective problem-solving, human relations, and communication skills
Strong organizational skills; extremely careful attention to detail and follow-through
Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable
Experience working with and in urban schools is highly preferred
Master’s degree preferred
Valid Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification required
Additional Information
Our people are what makes us Uncommon. We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise. Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.
Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role based in Newark is between $59,000 to $74,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, certifications, tenure with Uncommon Schools, and work location. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges. Please note: ranges may differ for staff who work from a location other than Newark.
Benefits: We offer comprehensive, flexible, and competitive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.
Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
