Quad Preparatory School
Lower School Special Education Head Teacher (2020-2021 School Year)
Updated: January 15, 2020
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Lower School Director of Curriculum and Instruction
The Quad Preparatory School is an alternative, non-profit, K-12 college preparatory school dedicated to the education of twice-exceptional students, bright and creative children who learn differently. Quad Prep is a young, fast-growing school founded in 2013 that is a vibrant professional and collegial learning community for employees.
The Quad Preparatory School transforms the lives of twice-exceptional people – those who are gifted and learn differently – by redefining the experience of school. Our personalized model fully integrates social and emotional learning with challenging academics, empowering our students to rise to the level of their extraordinary talents. Through our innovative programs we are leading a larger movement in service of both twice-exceptional people and society at large.
Our teachers, clinicians, and staff joined together to craft our statement of values, which we are proud to share:
Quad Prep is a kind and joyful learning community where everyone is celebrated for who they are.
We ignite students’ strengths and passions and allow for safe academic pursuit at the highest levels by learning from mistakes.
We are trustworthy and steadfast, and our high academic expectations challenge students to grow uniquely as people and in the way they learn.
We widen our students’ perspectives, giving them the tools to know themselves and find success in the future of their choosing.
We never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”
The Quad Preparatory School is looking for special education teachers for our Lower School (grades 2-5) for the 2020-2021 school year. Teachers will provide academic instruction and social-emotional support to students in collaboration with our clinicians. Our Lower School classrooms typically consist of ten students across two consecutive grade levels, and there are two head teachers, one associate teacher, and one psychosocial teacher in each classroom. One head teacher provides instruction in language arts, while the other teaches mathematics (utilizing Singapore Math) and social studies. We are currently looking for teachers who are comfortable teaching language arts, mathematics, and social studies to grades 2-5. Candidates who have a preferred subject and/or grade level may indicate so in their respective cover letters.
Teachers have the opportunity to receive mentorship, coaching, and support from the clinicians as well as academic administrators. A benefit of this position is the amount of professional development one will obtain in working with twice-exceptional youth and in being mentored by veteran special education teachers, academic administrators, and clinicians.
Expectations:
Planning and implementing high-quality, engaging lessons that are differentiated to meet the learning needs of the students.
Regularly assessing the students and the curriculum, adapting content and instruction as appropriate; communicating assessment results to parents.
Subscribing to and implementing the school’s philosophy of progressive and personalized education for twice-exceptional children.
Collaborating with the psychosocial teacher in planning and implementing an integrated program for executive functioning within the academic curriculum.
Mapping and evaluating curriculum.
Creating and maintaining an orderly and aesthetic learning environment that accounts for students’ social, emotional, and executive functioning needs.
Maintaining accurate records and carefully managed portfolios of student work to illustrate and record progress and achievement.
Empowering students to take charge of their learning by providing all necessary scaffolding, modeling, materials, and resources, and consistently maintaining a high level of expectation for student success.
Collaborating with other academic staff and psychosocial staff members to plan, integrate, and facilitate cross-curricular, inquiry-based projects.
Communicating with parents and guardians to provide feedback on pupils’ academic and social-emotional progress through parent-teacher conferences, written reports, phone calls, and emails.
Mentoring and delegating appropriate tasks to the associate teacher, in collaboration with the other head teacher in the classroom.
Following the professional code and policies of the school and conducting oneself in a way that promotes the mission of the school.
Utilizing Google Suite, in particular Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets.
Attending all faculty and staff meetings and required special events (e.g., open houses, Curriculum Night, Carnivale).
Performing other duties as assigned.
Competencies:
Love for working with children
Desire and ability to work with students with special needs
Lesson planning and the ability to provide engaging and differentiated instruction
Ability to connect with school-aged children
Effective oral and written communication
A solid understanding of elementary-aged children’s academic, social, and emotional development
Attention to detail
Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
Ethical conduct
Time management and the ability to multitask
Teamwork and collaboration
Patience and flexibility
Work Environment:
This job operates in a school setting. The school is located on the fourth floor of a building with two elevators. This role requires working in various locations around the school and accompanying students to a local park for outdoor time.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping all day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. During fire drills, the employee, unless physically unable, will need to use the stairs to go to ground level from the fourth floor. Typing is required for composing emails and writing reports. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time exempt position in an educational facility which is open eight hours a day. Teachers work ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June). Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. In general, though, hours are Monday-Friday, 8 A.M.-4 P.M.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, special education, or a related field.
Experience teaching children in grades 2-5.
Preferred Education and Experience:
At least three years experience as a full-time head teacher.
Master’s degree in elementary education, special education, or a related field.
Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education and twice-exceptional youth.
Elementary and/or special education teaching credential.
Experience teaching twice-exceptional youth.
AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is based on an inclusive philosophy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, familial status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law in its hiring procedures and policies.