The role involves overseeing a classroom of school-aged children with disabilities, preparing lessons, and providing instructional and behavioral management support both individually and in small groups. Responsibilities also include collaborating with therapy teams, documenting academic goals, participating in IEP processes, and communicating regularly with parents.
Requirements summary
Minimum Qualifications
require current New York State certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities or a Bachelor's degree with active pursuit of the required Master's level education and certification within five years, plus two years of relevant experience. Exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills, along with flexibility and the ability to take initiative, are essential.
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Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities Oversees a classroom of school-aged children (ages 3 – 21) with brain-based disabilities and/or with other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Prepares lessons and teaches students, providing instructional and behavioral management support to students, both individually and in small groups.
Incorporates social skills into daily lesson plans and activities.
Collaborates with each student’s school therapy team as necessary and appropriate, and implements therapy recommendations to support optimal treatment of the student.
Prepares and appropriately documents annual academic goals for students and compiles quarterly progress reports; participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) process including IEP meetings and team meetings, or legal hearings, when necessary and appropriate.
Communicates and collaborates and/or meets with parents on a regular basis and involves parents in their child’s activities and progress.
Provides direction, support and supervision to the paraprofessionals, teacher assistants and/or Associate Special Education Teachers in their classroom.
Utilizes a multisensory approach incorporating art, music, and technology to design lessons to increase students’ literacy, numeracy, communication, social, and life skills.
Performs all other duties, as assigned.
Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.) Current certification and registration as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (grades B-2, 1-6, 7-12 and/or All Grades) or Permanent Special Education Certification, issued by the New York State Education Department; or Bachelor’s degree in education or closely related field and active pursuit of master’s level education in a New York State Registered Program for Special Education Teacher’s Certificate (or equivalent), with anticipated completion and receipt of certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities within 5 (five) years of appointment; and two (2) years of experience in childcare, social services, healthcare and/or other school-based role.
Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills Ability to take initiative, multi-task & meet deadlines Highly flexible personality type Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above) Master’s degree in special education strongly preferred Current NYS certification and registration as a teacher in special education (Students with Disabilities, Permanent in Special Education, etc.) Previous experience with school-aged children with special needs Compensation $60,000-$70,000 annually All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran.
YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran.
YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.
Our Roots YAI was launched in February of 1957 out of a small school in Brooklyn, New York.
Initially staffed by Co-Founders Bert MacLeech and Pearl Maze MacLeech alone, their pilot program served just seven people.
According to Bert, from its very beginning YAI has been dedicated to providing innovative services for the I/DD (intellectual and/or developmental disabilities) community.
MacLeech envisioned a, “total life adjustment approach, emphasizing personal growth, social responsibility, employment goals, and the development of independence for the individual.” At a time when institutional living was the norm for people with I/DD, this vision was nothing short of revolutionary.
YAI Today Today, YAI has a team of over 4,000 employees and supports over 20,000 people in the I/DD community.
This extraordinary growth shows the ongoing need for these important services, and YAI’s success in offering them.
YAI supports people with autism, Down syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, among others.
Operating throughout Downstate New York and Northern New Jersey, YAI now offers more than 300 programs for people of all ages.
Better Together At YAI, we are driven by our mission of living, loving, working, and learning.
This applies not only to the people we support, but to our staff as well.
Commitment and passion for the work continue to unite employees and drive the organization forward.
Empowering the people we support to reach their goals remains at the heart of our organization.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran.
YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process. http://www.yai.org/
Market context
Special education teaching in New York
New York continues to need special education teachers, especially in districts balancing compliance, individualized instruction, and student support. This role is competitive because employers often look for current certification or active progress toward a related master’s degree, plus experience working with children and strong communication skills. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then confirm your certification status and prepare examples of collaboration and student support from your experience.
