IDEAL School of Manhattan·New York
The Associate Teacher provides individualized academic and social-emotional support to students within an inclusive classroom setting. They collaborate with lead teachers and therapists to implement differentiated instruction and foster a positive, equitable learning environment.
Title: Associate Teacher, High School
Reports to: Division Head
Employment Type: Faculty; Full-time, Exempt
Projected Start Date: Late August 2026
Work Location: 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004
The IDEAL School of Manhattan is an inclusion school dedicated to creating a diverse community that affirms and accepts the full identities of all people, while inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.
IDEAL’s Associate Teacher program provides a unique opportunity for emerging special and general educators to gain experience as educators through collaboration with established classroom teachers, therapists, and administrators. IDEAL’s Associate Teacher Program is designed to be a three-year program in which they will develop the skills and experience necessary to grow in the field of education and ultimately to take on a lead role in a classroom or in another aspect of school life. Over the course of their three years in the program, Associate Teachers will be asked to work with a range of students and will, in general, be assigned a new student annually. Associate Teachers at IDEAL are required to develop the skills necessary to work with any student at IDEAL.
Associate Teachers at IDEAL fill two equally essential roles.
The individual work of an Associate Teacher with their assigned student is not limited to specific classes and activities, but rather intended to extend throughout the school day as benefits their individual student’s goals and as determined in consultation with the lead teachers, related service providers, and administrators who work with their assigned student.
In general, over the course of their three years in the program, responsibilities for the position of Associate Teacher include, but are not limited to, the following:
Work as member of co-teaching team in an inclusive classroom to implement differentiated curriculum, establish classroom routines, and support all students
Will become familiar with and implement the individual goals of their assigned student within the specific context of each of that student’s classes and activities
Partner with lead teachers, related service providers, and other professionals on the implementation of support strategies across settings
Implement differentiated materials designed by the lead teacher to support assigned students access to the curriculum in all classes and activities
Gather all necessary tools and facilitate their utilization
Communicating proactively on a regular basis with the family of assigned student
Provide support for Activities of Daily Living, as needed
Demonstrated flexibility supporting multiple different students who will offer new opportunities and pose new challenges
Attend meetings as required by the school
Associate Teachers should anticipate dedicating about 10% of their time to their passion project or special work. Although administrators will support Associate Teachers in designing schedules that allow for their project, the Associate Teacher’s project may not supersede or interfere with their primary responsibilities.
In some instances, where a third-year Associate Teacher has a Masters degree and/or required expertise and experience, they may apply to design and assume full responsibility for an elective or class. In these cases, the third-year Associate Teacher will be compensated according to the school’s policies.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
$46,000-48,000 (this represents the expected salary range for this position. Salary will be determined based on education, experience, and other job-related factors)
for full time employees include: Paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending program, health reimbursement account, commuter benefits program, income protection via short and long-term disability benefits, paid family leave, professional development opportunities, 403(b) plan with employer contribution(waiting period applies).
The IDEAL School of Manhattan is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and job applicants and to making all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, caregiver status, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures.
This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. demotion, discipline, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive education and social justice. Strong communication, collaboration skills, and a willingness to learn in a dynamic school environment are essential.
Market context
In New York, classroom teacher roles are typically shaped by steady school staffing needs and competition for educators who can demonstrate strong instruction and classroom leadership. This role is competitive because it calls for advanced chess knowledge, proven teaching experience, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities while supporting student success. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your application to show concrete teaching results and leadership examples.