Special Education Teacher

Full-Time, Probationary/Tenure-Track Position

Location: Traphagen School
Reports to: Building Principal
Grade Levels: Pre-K–6
Start Date: Immediately
Position Type: Full-Time, Probationary/Tenure-Track

Position Summary

Traphagen School is seeking a compassionate, highly qualified, and student-centered, Special Education Teacher to join our instructional team. The successful candidate will provide specially designed instruction that addresses students’ individual academic, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional needs while ensuring meaningful access to the general education curriculum.

The ideal candidate will maintain high expectations for all students, use assessment data to guide instruction, and collaborate effectively with families, general education teachers, teaching assistants, related service providers, and administrators.

Essential Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction based on the New York State Learning Standards and students’ Individualized Education Programs.

• Design and implement specially designed instruction to address each student’s disability-related needs.

• Develop, implement, and monitor measurable IEP goals and objectives.

• Differentiate content, instructional methods, materials, and assessments for diverse learners.

• Provide instruction in individual, small-group, and whole-class settings.

• Use research-based interventions, explicit instruction, scaffolding, and assistive technology.

• Collect and analyze data to monitor progress toward IEP goals and inform instructional decisions.

• Prepare accurate IEP progress reports and maintain required special education documentation.

• Participate in annual reviews, reevaluations, Committee on Special Education meetings, and multidisciplinary team meetings.

• Implement accommodations, modifications, testing supports, and behavioral interventions as prescribed by students’ IEPs.

• Establish a structured, inclusive, culturally responsive, and supportive classroom environment.

• Implement proactive classroom-management practices and positive behavioral supports.

• Promote student independence, self-advocacy, confidence, and meaningful participation.

• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress, needs, and accomplishments.

• Collaborate with teachers, teaching assistants, school psychologists, counselors, therapists, service providers, and administrators.

• Maintain compliance with IDEA, Section 504, New York State regulations, district policies, and required timelines.

• Participate in faculty meetings, professional learning, school events, and other assigned responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• Valid New York State certification in Students with Disabilities appropriate for the assigned grade level and program.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Knowledge of IEP development, specially designed instruction, progress monitoring, and special education compliance.

• Ability to differentiate instruction and support students with diverse academic, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional needs.

• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and classroom-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Special Education or a related field.

• Experience teaching students with disabilities in an elementary school setting.

• Experience in integrated co-teaching, resource room, or specialized classroom programs.

• Knowledge of evidence-based literacy and mathematics interventions.

• Experience implementing Functional Behavioral Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, and positive behavioral supports.

• Familiarity with assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning.

• Experience working in culturally and linguistically diverse school communities.

• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Desired Characteristics

The successful candidate will be:

• Student-centered, compassionate, and relationship-driven.

• Committed to equity, inclusion, and high expectations for every learner.

• Collaborative, dependable, organized, and solution-oriented.

• Skilled in using data to improve instruction and student outcomes.

• Reflective and receptive to feedback and professional growth.

• Flexible and responsive to changing student and school needs.

• Committed to building strong partnerships with families and colleagues.

Salary and Benefits

Salary and benefits will be provided in accordance with the applicable Mount Vernon City School District collective bargaining agreement.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

• Letter of interest

• Current résumé

• Copy of New York State certification

• College transcripts

• Three professional references

The Mount Vernon City School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.