The posting
Traphagen School is seeking a highly qualified, compassionate, and student-centered Special Education Teacher to join our elementary school community. The successful candidate will provide rigorous, differentiated, and individualized instruction designed to meet the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, and developmental needs of students with disabilities.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of specially designed instruction, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), progress monitoring, behavior supports, and evidence-based instructional practices. The Special Education Teacher will work collaboratively with general education teachers, Teaching Assistants, related service providers, families, and administrators to ensure that students have equitable access to meaningful and appropriately challenging learning experiences.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Plan and deliver standards-aligned, specially designed instruction based on students’ individual strengths, needs, and IEP goals.
• Develop, implement, and monitor IEP goals, accommodations, modifications, and instructional supports in accordance with federal and New York State special education requirements.
• Differentiate instruction and utilize multiple instructional strategies, interventions, and learning modalities to provide students with appropriate access to grade-level curriculum.
• Utilize formative and summative assessment data to monitor student progress, identify areas of need, and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Establish a structured, supportive, and inclusive classroom environment with clear routines, expectations, and systems that promote student independence and engagement.
• Implement positive behavioral interventions and supports and collaborate with appropriate staff in the development and implementation of individualized behavior plans when necessary.
• Provide explicit instruction and targeted small-group and individualized interventions based on student needs.
• Maintain accurate documentation of student progress toward IEP goals and use data to inform instructional decision-making.
• Prepare for and actively participate in Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings, annual reviews, reevaluations, parent conferences, and other student-centered meetings.
• Collaborate consistently with general education teachers, Teaching Assistants, related service providers, school psychologists, social workers, administrators, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide appropriate direction and guidance to Teaching Assistants and other support staff assigned to the classroom to ensure cohesive implementation of instructional and behavioral supports.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with families regarding student progress, strengths, needs, and strategies for supporting continued growth.
• Support students in developing academic independence, self-advocacy, communication skills, social-emotional competencies, and positive peer relationships.
• Maintain student confidentiality and consistently demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, flexibility, and a commitment to the success of all students.
• Participate in professional development, faculty meetings, collaborative planning, data meetings, and schoolwide initiatives.
Qualifications:
• Valid New York State certification in Special Education/Students with Disabilities appropriate to the grade level of the assignment.
• Knowledge of New York State Learning Standards and evidence-based instructional practices.
• Strong knowledge of IEP development, implementation, progress monitoring, and special education compliance requirements.
• Experience providing differentiated and specially designed instruction to students with a range of academic, behavioral, communication, and developmental needs.
• Strong classroom management and positive behavior-support skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze student data and use results to inform instructional planning and intervention.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to maintaining high expectations for students with disabilities while providing the individualized supports necessary for their success.
Traphagen School is seeking an educator who believes that disability does not define a student’s potential and who combines high expectations with appropriate individualized support. The successful candidate will contribute to a collaborative school culture in which students are challenged, supported, respected, and provided with meaningful opportunities to achieve academic and personal success.
