Middle School Special Education Teacher (26-27 SY)

Who We Are

Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our school's mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.

Understanding the Role

Every member of the Instructional Team at Challenge Charter Schools plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for their students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure our students have access to opportunities. We are especially committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because the best work we do is grounded in the realities and experiences of our families and students. As a Special Education Teacher, you will deliver exceptional instruction and assess student growth. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Work in a collaborative team teaching environment or an individual classroom setting
• Engage students in active learning
• Integrate technology into core classroom instruction
• Use assessment data to modify and improve student learning
• Utilize an online student system to track student progress through competencies and keep up-to-date assignments for students
• Contribute to program design and implementation
• Participate in all staff programs and academic planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Work collaboratively with other staff and teachers daily
• Enforce and uphold school policies and culture
• Communicate effectively and maintain consistent relationships with students, colleagues, and families
• Any additional responsibilities assigned by the Administration

Skills, Qualifications, and/or Competencies Required:

• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• You possess an exceptional level of patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results
• Strong classroom management skills: You can set high expectations in the classroom and keep scholars engaged
• Classroom presence: You are clear and precise when sharing new content with students and can effectively lead students through inquiry-based class discussions
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Bachelor's degree required, Master's Degree in Education, preferred
• New York State Teaching Certification required

$65,000 - $95,000 a year

The salary offer is based on year(s) of classroom teaching experience, educational requirements, and NYSED certification.


Work Year

This is a full-time twelve-month position.


School Sites

Grades K-1: 1279 Redfern Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Grades 2-5: 710 Hartman Lane, Far Rockaway, NY 11691


Grades 6-8: 1520 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Grades 9-12: 1520 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Recruitment Process

Phase I - Phone interview with a member of the recruitment team


Phase II - In-person lesson delivery and possible Interview with feedback from the Middle/High School Leadership Team

Phase III - Final Interview with the Senior Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning (6-12)

Phase IV - Reference Checks

Final - Offer and Contract with a tentative start date

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.