Special Education Teacher - Kindergarten ICT

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.

Every member of the Instructional Team at Challenge Preparatory Charter School plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond. As a General Education Teacher, you will deliver exceptional instruction and assess scholar growth. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team. The staff of CPCS is committed to teaching students the values of scholarship, respect, honesty, courage, and balance in a collaborative technology-infused, inclusive family-like environment. Teachers assist all scholars in their content area classes so they may reach their full potential by focusing on their individual aspirations and strengths. Planning for students of all ability levels, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities is expected so that these students may achieve academic mastery. Additionally, the school will offer opportunities for teachers to participate in the following:

• After-school and/or Saturday tutoring, sports, enrichment, arts and family programs
• In-house committees of special programs
• Professional development such as inquiry work, intervisitations, common planning, and collaborative conversation
• Because roles in small schools are varied and complex, serious consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate in their resume and cover letter experience and/or willingness to commit to the school’s mission and core beliefs and to become involved in these essential aspects:
• Collaborating with colleagues to write unit plans and interim assessments; sharing teaching strategies, visiting peer classrooms, analyzing student data, and developing best practice pedagogy that supports literacy and critical thinking skills across all subject areas
• Employing a variety of collaborative team-teaching models for ELL students and special needs students
• Applying data gathered through formative and summative assessments to guide instructional plan
• Utilizing technology which includes a parent/student portal and school website that provides regular written updates and/or grades

Challenge Preparatory Charter School will consider candidates who can demonstrate:
Commitment to and alignment with the CPCS mission, vision, program goals, and curriculum
Strong communication skills with students, families, staff, and community members
Ability to create a positive school culture that is welcoming, fun, and conducive to learning
Bachelor's degree required
Teaching experience in an urban school setting preferred
The ability to create a classroom setting where students of every academic level experience enjoyment, engagement, and enthusiasm in their learning
Ability to use data to drive instruction
Challenge Charter School's staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off, matching of retirement contributions up to 3%, and more.
Comprehensive benefits package including four health plans to choose from, two dental plans, and vision insurance
We also offer flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care, and transit
Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities
Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
Professional development: weekly PD, year-round trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
This is a full-time position commencing mid-August through June
The salary offer is based on year(s) of classroom teaching experience, educational requirements, and NYSED certification.
School Sites
Phase I - Virtual Interview with the HR Recruiter
Phase II - Demo, Panel Interview, and Interview with the Senior Director of Teaching and Learning K-5
Final - Reference Check, Offer, and Contract

This full-time position begins in mid-August and goes through the end of June.
Challenge Charter School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, particularly in the Far Rockaway area, and committed to educating students. Challenge Charter School offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. 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. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.