Teacher Special Education

Job Description

Job Description

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves in the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS' reach across the United States.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is thrilled to announce we will be expanding our Children's Learning Center to two brand-new Long Island locations in Nassau and Suffolk County! These state-of-the-art facilities will serve preschool children who are blind or have low vision, as well as multiple disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or pervasive developmental delays. This expansion reflects HKSB’s commitment to ensuring that Long Island families have access to the same high-quality early education and support services that have transformed lives in Brooklyn.

The Special Education Teacher conducts a special education preschool classroom for children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Maintaining positive communication with parents, other staff members, and professionals outside of HKSB which is critical to success. Must demonstrate a sincere commitment to HKSB’s Mission and Values and always conduct him/herself at a high professional level and project a positive image of HKSB internally and externally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reports to School Principal
• All staff must complete the 5-hour Health and Safety Training as well as the 2-hour Mandated Reporter Training. These pre-service trainings count toward the total training hours required within the first six months of employment.
• Within the first six months of employment, staff must complete a total of 15 hours of approved training.
• Following the initial six-month period covering the first year, staff are required to complete 15 hours of approved training annually, resulting in a minimum of 30 hours of approved training every two years
• Utilize diverse and engaging curriculums to maximize students’ learning opportunities and promote active participation within the classroom.
• Develops and implements a whole child learning approach with specific adaptations including sensory, motor and other areas of need in collaboration with therapists.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with families to ensure carryover strategies from school to home.
• Acts as the primary contact between home and school; maintaining the liaison with school social worker as needed.
• Accurately monitors and records progress toward IEP goals while providing clear direction and oversight to staff to ensure consistent and reliable data collection.
• Continuously evaluates student progress and documents that progress in report cards, progress notes, and annual updates.
• Submits weekly lesson plans, student goal data, and newsletters to the Principal.
• Maintains accurate attendance documents and submits to the administrative assistant.
• Advocates for the educational and developmental needs of their students both in the school and in the wider community.
• Attendance at all student IEP meetings; annuals along with reconvene opportunities
• Develop and maintain strong report with school district representatives
• Participates in teacher and team meetings and completes tasks from those meetings in a timely and professional manner
• Actively participates in school wide functions such as graduation and parent days.
• Seeks out and participates in professional development activities, appropriate to the population of students, both within the school and in the larger educational community.
• Plans, assigns, and monitors instructional assistant responsibilities and schedules to promote seamless classroom operations and student support
• Prepares and delivers annual reviews for classroom teaching assistants.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Supervise all assigned classroom personnel, including Teacher Assistants and paraprofessionals.
• Manage related service providers, during class push-in sessions, ensuring roles are clearly defined and implemented with fidelity.
• The teacher maintains responsibility for continuous student supervision by directing staff assignments and ensuring consistent coverage, coordination, and compliance at all times.

Required EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Valid New York State teaching certification in one of the following:

• NYS Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2), or
• NYS Students with Disabilities (All Grades), or
• Other NYSED special education certification(s) approved to be the teacher of record in a 4410 preschool setting
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (including NYS required pedagogical coursework nearly childhood education)
• Ability to implement IEPs and deliver specially designed instruction in accordance with NYSED and CPSE expectations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to use school-based systems for documentation, communication, and recordkeeping

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid New York State teaching certificationadvanced to Professional level
• Master’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field
• Experience working with preschool-aged children (ages 3–5) with disabilities
• Experience in a 4410 preschool special education program, including familiarity with CPSE processes
• Experience implementing and managing IEP goals, progress monitoring, and related documentation
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including related service providers and families
• Familiarity with classroom management strategies aligned to early childhood and special education settings
• Experience using student information systems and classroom communication tools (e.g., ClassDojo or similar platforms)
• Experience with AACs and other assistive technology 
• Multi-lingual

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid New York State Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Birth-2nd Grade or All Grades)

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package after meeting requirements.

Position Benefits

• 403(B)
• 403(B) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off.
• Retirement plan
• Flexible spending accounts

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is an equal opportunity employer.