The Quad Preparatory School

Lower School Psychosocial Teacher (2022-23 Openings)

Updated: May 2022


Classification: Exempt 

Reports to: Lower School Clinical Director 

Annual Salary Range: 45-55K


***Want to learn more about Quad Prep? Connect with us! ***


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.”


As Quad Prep is rooted in the community of New York City, we commit, as a matter of justice and equity, that we shall work toward enrolling a student body and employing a staff that fully reflects the makeup of our community.

 

As education at Quad Prep is rooted in the idea that our neurodiverse students are to be proudly celebrated for their unique talents and potential, we commit that the whole self of every individual student, parent, and staff member shall be welcomed, valued, included, and treated always with the deepest respect and empathy.

 

And, as at Quad Prep our community is a single fabric supporting the development of all, we commit that every student shall benefit from the richness of the backgrounds and experiences that make up that fabric, so that they leave Quad fully prepared to engage with the exciting and wonderful diversity of this world.



The Quad Preparatory School is looking for psychosocial teachers in our Lower School program (2nd-5th grade) for the 2022-23 school year. Psychosocial teachers work in tandem with the two head teachers and an associate academic teacher in a classroom which consists of ten children, providing social-emotional and relevant academic (e.g., executive functioning) support to the students.


Psychosocial teachers have the opportunity to receive mentorship and support from the Lower School Clinical Director,oom head and associate teachers, and the clinical staff, including licensed speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. You will receive significant professional development and experience working with twice-exceptional youth while being mentored by veteran special education teachers and clinicians. 


Expectations:

The Psychosocial Teacher is responsible for implementing psychosocial support during group activities and independent work times. These psychosocial supports are developed with the clinical team, Lower School Clinical Director, and in consultation with academic teachers.


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

  • Coach students in utilizing psychosocial and executive functioning skills in group settings, work periods, and transitions (psychosocial teachers support the social, emotional and executive functioning skills necessary for carrying out academic assignments, and do not directly teach academic concepts and skills).

  • Facilitate learning of self-regulation, anxiety management, social thinking and impulse control skills, in collaboration with the clinical team.

  • Establish and continuously monitor students’ individual psychosocial goals and strategies.

  • Assist academic staff in psychosocial aspects of student interaction.

  • Assist children with personalized projects and daily living skills as determined by their schedule.

  • Provide scaffolding that relates to executive function and facilitating successful group work (e.g., visual schedules, strategies for working in a group, pre-planning and pre-discussions prior to activities).

  • Actively model executive function and social communication skills such as consideration of others’ input, appropriate phrasing of personal opinions, and shared interactive play.

  • Work cooperatively with school administrators, colleagues, and parents to deliver a fully-integrated, student-centered learning environment for each individual learner.

  •  Participate in all training and staff development modules, including reading required books and articles on cutting-edge 2E and other educational developments.

  •  Perform other duties as assigned.


Competencies:

  • Love for working with children

  • Desire and ability to work with students with special needs

  • Ability to connect with elementary aged students (grades 2-5)

  • Effective oral and written communication

  • A solid understanding of elementary-aged and adolescent children’s 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 fifth and sixth floors of a building with one elevator. 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 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 8:00A.M.-4:00 P.M.


Compensation and Benefits: 

Compensation is dependent upon experience and degree obtained. 


At Quad Prep you’ll have access to a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; pre-tax transit and dependent care accounts; a 401K match and student loan repayment contributions (after one year of employment); and a range of professional development opportunities, including our First Year Support Program for all new facility and staff; our Leadership Development Institute for those wishing to gain supervisory experience; and a full tuition waiver for candidates wishing to participate in our annual Certificate Program in Meeting the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Students.

 

You’ll engage with your colleagues in our ongoing staff wellness groups, relax at our game nights and happy hours, and collaborate in meaningful work as a valued member of our voluntary groups, including our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce; our Staff Ambassador Program; and our Peer Mentorship Program.


Required Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, special education, or related field.

  • One year of experience working with children in grades 2-5.


Preferred Education and Experience: 

  • Experience working with twice-exceptional youth.

  • Crisis prevention and intervention.

  • Masters degree in mental health counseling, clinical social work or related field.


***Note that all employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Medical and religious exemptions may be provided.***


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.





This position has been filled. Would you like to see our other open positions?