Founding Special Education Kindergarten Teacher
DREAM (formerly known as DREAM Charter School and Harlem RBI), an innovative educational and youth development organization, is seeking dynamic and engaging educators to serve as Founding Special Education Kindergarten Teachers. DREAM’s South Bronx Elementary School is charged with preparing students for high-performing high schools, colleges and beyond through a rigorous academic program that develops critical thinkers who demonstrate a love of learning, strong character, and a commitment to wellness and active citizenship.
Like all DREAM employees, the Founding Special Education Kindergarten Teacher should demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and values of DREAM and should have substantial expertise in all areas of responsibility. As a member of a founding school, they should also demonstrate the drive and persistence required to lead a new school in its founding year. Come join an organization that was recently recognized as one of the “50 Best Non-Profits to Work For” by The Nonprofit Times.
Responsibilities:
Teaching and Planning:
- Implement a common core aligned curriculum through backwards planning;
- Assume responsibility for academic progress in classroom and create assessments that will accurately measure progress;
- Revise curriculum and teaching methods based on measurable data;
- Take part in weekly one-on-one feedback meetings to discuss observation feedback, role-play pedagogical strategies, analyze data and/or refine curriculum map;
- Act as RTI Case Manager for general education students identified as at-risk.
Classroom Management:
- Build a positive classroom culture, characterized by love for all scholars that promotes social emotional learning;
- Contribute to org-wide practices defining behavior management and building individual behavior plans;
- Assume the best in scholars while simultaneously continuously evaluating how to improve the implementation of systems;
- Work with peers to analyze data, revise practices, norm on team-wide initiatives, and discuss scholars with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Founding School and School Culture Responsibilities:
- Participate in and support with planning of all family engagement events;
- Share responsibilities for lunch, recess, and late scholar pick-up as needed;
- Develop strong relationships with scholar’s families, regularly communicating progress towards goals;
- Attend and be an active participant in all professional development opportunities.
Special Education:
- Write teacher reports and IEPs;
- Complete IEP Quarterly Reports;
- Lead IEP meetings with the support of the leadership team.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; appropriate New York State certification in subject area preferred;
- At least two years of teaching experience required;
- Experience working with scholars with IEPs;
- Bilingual preferred;
- Ability to embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with founding a new school, including assuming the best, leading with a learning and solutions-oriented mindset, and demonstrated ability to persevere and think quickly;
- Possess the mindset that you are all in for all scholars;
- A desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community;
- Deep embodiment of DREAM’s organizational values of teamwork, diversity, integrity, and fun.
DREAM salary is highly competitive with the New York City Department of Education and other charter schools, and is based on experience and qualifications. All DREAM teachers receive a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental insurance, a 403(b) retirement account, life insurance and access to social services through our Employee Assistance Program.