The posting
High School Special Education Teacher
School Year: 2026-27
Salary Range: $66,000.00-$113,198.00
- Eligible for: 5k Signing Bonus $ 5k stipend for providing service hours 5k Stipend if you work in any of our Empower programs.
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Schedule: Full-time
WHO WE ARE
Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting 39 public charter schools across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For more than 25 years, AF has been recognized as one of the top tuition-free public charter school networks in the country. We are committed to creating schools of academic excellence within nurturing environments — schools that prepare students to be college-ready and to pursue and succeed in whatever paths they choose in life.
The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Across our network, we employ more than 2,200 staff members — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence and Cranston, RI.
Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college, career, and life; deepen their understanding of self and community; and lead lives of purpose. We believe in the limitless potential within our students and their power to shape a more just society. That belief drives our deep commitment to student achievement: we aim to set a high bar for learning and create warm, demanding classrooms where rigorous instruction is paired with the care, encouragement, and consistency every student deserves.
To learn more, visit https://www.achievementfirst.org.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Mission-Driven Educator
You are passionate about educational equity and committed to ensuring all students achieve at high levels, regardless of background or circumstance.
Relationship Builder
You build strong partnerships with students, families, and colleagues and create classroom communities grounded in trust, belonging, and mutual respect.
Growth-Oriented Professional
You embrace feedback, reflect on your practice, and continuously seek opportunities to strengthen your impact as an educator.
Data-Informed Instructor
You use student performance data to drive instructional decisions, close learning gaps, and accelerate student achievement.
Organized and Accountable
You effectively manage priorities, plan proactively, and consistently meet deadlines and expectations.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
Achievement First teachers create engaging, rigorous, and supportive learning environments where every student can thrive academically and personally. Teachers are responsible for delivering high-quality instruction, fostering strong classroom culture, partnering with families, and contributing to a collaborative school community.
Key Responsibilities
Student Achievement & Classroom Culture
- Create a positive, achievement-oriented, and structured learning environment that motivates students to meet ambitious goals.
- Deliver engaging instruction aligned to curriculum standards and student needs.
- Implement unit and lesson plans collaboratively developed with grade-level and content teams.
- Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Utilize interim assessment and classroom performance data to inform instruction and intervention.
- Establish and maintain strong classroom culture through consistent expectations, routines, and relationships.
- Build meaningful partnerships with families to support student success.
Professional Learning & Collaboration
- Collaborate with coaches, department leaders, and school leadership to strengthen instructional practice and leadership skills.
- Participate in professional development, team meetings, collaborative planning, and data analysis sessions.
- Seek and implement feedback to continuously improve instructional effectiveness.
- Contribute positively to school-wide initiatives and community culture.
Values & Community
- Exemplify Achievement First's core values in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
- Foster an inclusive, affirming environment where all students feel seen, supported, and challenged.
- Promote the social, emotional, and academic growth of every scholar.
WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred.
- Candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may submit additional recommendations for consideration.
- Experience working with K-12 students required.
- Two or more years of teaching experience preferred.
Certification Requirements
Candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain the appropriate certification required for the position and state of employment.
State Certification Resources
New York: https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Employees at Achievement First are provided with competitive compensation through a lens of equity and based on an individual's skills, education, certification, and relevant experience.
Salary Range: [Insert state-specific salary range]
In addition to compensation, Achievement First offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
- Paid time off
- Professional development and coaching
- Employee assistance and wellness programs
What We Offer
- Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
- Competitive salary aligned to experience, education, and internal equity
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Life insurance coverage
- 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
- Ongoing professional development and instructional coaching
- Collaborative planning time with grade-level and content teams
- Leadership development opportunities
- Employee assistance and wellness resources
Benefits and eligibility may vary based on position and employment status.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Achievement First is committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees can thrive while advancing our mission of educational excellence and opportunity for every child.
Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/
