Quad Preparatory School

Lower School Special Education Applied Computing and Engineering Teacher

Updated: March 13, 2020


Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Lower School Academic Director


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 a special education applied computing and engineering (ACE) teacher for our Early Childhood (grades K-1) and Lower School (grades 2-5) for the 2020-2021 school year. The teacher will provide ACE instruction (including computer science, digital citizenship, and engineering and design) and social-emotional support to students in collaboration with our clinicians. Our Lower School classrooms typically consist of ten or fewer students. 

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:

  • Plan and implement high-quality, engaging, hands-on ACE lessons that are differentiated to meet the learning needs of the students and that include coding, digital citizenship, hands-on engineering-related projects. 

  • Ensure students’ work is showcased to members of the school community, including parents and faculty.

  • Regularly assess the students and the curriculum, adapting content and instruction as appropriate; communicating assessment results to parents.

  • Subscribe to and implement the school’s philosophy of progressive and personalized education for twice-exceptional children. 

  • Collaborate with the psychosocial teachers in planning and implementing an integrated program for executive functioning within the academic curriculum. 

  • Map and evaluate curriculum.

  • Create and maintain an orderly and aesthetic learning environment that accounts for students’ social, emotional, and executive functioning needs. 

  • Maintain accurate records and carefully managed portfolios of student work to illustrate and record progress and achievement. 

  • Empower students to take charge of their learning by providing all necessary scaffolding, modeling, materials, and resources, and consistently maintain a high level of expectation for student success. 

  • Push into the homeroom classes for interdisciplinary lessons and classroom support.

  • Collaborate with other faculty and staff members to plan, integrate, and facilitate cross-curricular, inquiry-based projects. 

  • Communicate with parents and guardians to provide feedback on pupils’ academic and social-emotional progress through parent-teacher conferences, written reports, phone calls, and emails. 

  • Follow the professional code and policies of the school and conduct oneself in a way that promotes the mission of the school. 

  • Utilize Google Suite, in particular Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets. 

  • Attend all faculty and staff meetings and required special events (e.g., open houses, Curriculum Night, Carnivale). 

  • Perform other duties as assigned. 

Competencies:

  1. Love for working with children

  2. Strong background and interest in computer science and/or engineering

  3. Desire and ability to work with students with special needs

  4. Lesson planning and the ability to provide engaging and differentiated instruction

  5. Ability to connect with school-aged children

  6. Effective oral and written communication

  7. A solid understanding of elementary-aged children’s academic, social, and emotional development

  8. Attention to detail

  9. Maintaining confidentiality and privacy

  10. Ethical conduct

  11. Time management and the ability to multitask

  12. Teamwork and collaboration

  13. 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, engineering, computer science, or a related field.

  • Experience teaching children in grades K-5.


Preferred Education and Experience: 

  • At least three years experience as a full-time teacher in the area(s) of technology, computer science, engineering, and/or a related discipline.

  • Master’s degree in elementary education, special education, computer science, engineering, or a related field.

  • Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education and twice-exceptional youth.

  • Elementary, computer science, 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.
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