Middle School Earth Science Special Education Teacher - The Quad Preparatory School

Quad Preparatory School

Middle School Earth Science Special Education Teacher

Updated: February 15, 2024

Classification: Exempt 

Reports to: Upper School Associate Academic Director/Middle School Dean of Faculty

Salary: $70,000-$80,000

The Quad Preparatory School is an alternative, non-profit, K-12 college preparatory school dedicated to the education of twice-exceptional students, bright and creative children who learn differently. Quad Prep is a young, fast-growing school founded in 2013 that is a vibrant professional and collegial learning community for employees.

The Quad Preparatory School transforms the lives of twice-exceptional people – those who are gifted and learn differently – by redefining the experience of school. Our personalized model fully integrates social and emotional learning with challenging academics, empowering our students to rise to the level of their extraordinary talents. Through our innovative programs we are leading a larger movement in service of both twice-exceptional people and society at large.

Our teachers, clinicians, and staff joined together to craft our statement of values, which we are proud to share:

• Quad Prep is a kind and joyful learning community where everyone is celebrated for who they are.

• We ignite students’ strengths and passions and allow for safe academic pursuit at the highest levels by learning from mistakes.

• We are trustworthy and steadfast, and our high academic expectations challenge students to grow uniquely as people and in the way they learn.

• We widen our students’ perspectives, giving them the tools to know themselves and find success in the future of their choosing. 

• We never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”

The Quad Preparatory School is looking for a special education science teacher to work with our 8th graders, teaching a course in Earth & Space Science. The teacher will provide academic instruction at the high-school level  on topics that include but are not limited to: rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, weather and climate including climate change, and oceanography. Teachers are also responsible for social-emotional and executive functioning skills support as part of the weekly curriculum in collaboration with our clinicians. Our eighth-grade classes typically consist of six or fewer students. 

Teachers have the opportunity to receive mentorship, coaching, and support from the clinicians as well as academic administrators. A benefit of this position is the amount of professional development one will obtain in working with twice-exceptional youth and in being mentored by veteran special education teachers, academic administrators, and clinicians. 

Expectations:

• Plan and implement high-quality, hands-on, inquiry-based science lessons that are differentiated to meet the learning needs of the students. 

• Regularly assess the students and the curriculum, adapting content and instruction as appropriate; communicating assessment results to parents.

• Subscribe to and implement the school’s philosophy of progressive and personalized education for twice-exceptional children. 

• Collaborate with the clinicians including Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Pathologists in planning and implementing an integrated program for executive functioning within the academic curriculum. 

• Map and evaluate curriculum.

• Collaborate with the Lower School science specialists and the Upper School science teachers to ensure a vertically aligned science program.

• Develop and teach electives.

• Create and maintain an orderly and aesthetic learning environment that accounts for students’ social, emotional, and executive functioning needs. 

• Maintain accurate records using both the school’s learning management system as well as carefully managed portfolios of student work to illustrate and record progress and achievement.

• Empower students to take charge of their learning by providing all necessary scaffolding, modeling, materials, and resources, and consistently maintaining a high level of expectation for student success. 

• Collaborate with other academic staff and psychosocial staff members to plan, integrate, and facilitate cross-curricular, inquiry-based projects. 

• Communicate with parents and guardians to provide feedback on students’ academic and social-emotional progress through parent-teacher conferences, written reports, phone calls, and emails.

• Follow the professional code and policies of the school and conduct oneself in a way that promotes the mission of the school. 

• Utilize Google Suite, in particular Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets. 

• Attend all faculty and staff meetings and required special events (e.g., open houses, Curriculum Night, Carnivale). 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

1. Love of working with Middle School-aged children

2. Strong knowledge of and affinity for Earth Science & Oceanography

3. Desire and ability to work with students with special needs

4. Lesson planning and the ability to provide engaging and differentiated instruction

5. Ability to connect with Middle school-aged children

6. Effective oral and written communication

7. A solid understanding of Middle school-aged children’s academic, social, and emotional development

8. Attention to detail

9. Maintaining confidentiality and privacy

10. Ethical conduct

11. Time management and the ability to multitask

12. Teamwork and collaboration

13. Patience and flexibility 

Work Environment: 

This job operates in a school setting. The school is located on the fifth and sixth floors of a building with an elevator. This role requires working in various locations around the school and occasional travel to the Lower School campus approximately two blocks away.

Physical Demands: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is active and involves standing and walking. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. During fire drills, the employee, unless physically unable, will need to use the stairs to go to ground level from the fifth or sixth floor. Typing is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: 

This is a full-time exempt position in an educational facility which is open eight hours a day. Teachers work ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June). This position is an immediate hire starting on March 1, 2024 or sooner. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. In general, though, hours are Monday-Friday 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in science education, elementary education, special education, Earth Science, Geology, Oceanography, or a related field.

• One year full-time teaching experience with children in grades 5-9.

Preferred Education and Experience: 

• At least three years experience as a full-time science teacher in grades 5-9.

• Master’s degree in science education, elementary education, secondary science education, special education, Earth Science, Geology, Oceanography, or a related field.

• Special education training, including Writing Revolution and training in the areas of gifted education and twice-exceptional youth.

• Familiarity with reading and writing IEPs.

• Elementary (K-6 or K-8), Secondary Science, and/or Special Education teaching credential.

• Experience teaching twice-exceptional youth and conducting Type 3 Projects.

Compensation and Benefits: 

Compensation is dependent upon experience and degree obtained. 

At Quad Prep you’ll have access to a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; pre-tax transit and dependent care accounts; a 401K match and student loan repayment contributions (after one year of employment); and a range of professional development opportunities, including our First Year Support Program for all new facility and staff; our Leadership Development Institute for those wishing to gain supervisory experience; and a full tuition waiver for candidates wishing to participate in our annual Certificate Program in Meeting the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Students.

You’ll engage with your colleagues in our ongoing staff wellness groups, relax at our game nights and happy hours, and collaborate in meaningful work as a valued member of our voluntary groups, including our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce; our Staff Ambassador Program; and our Peer Mentorship Program.

Want to learn more about Quad Prep? Connect with us! 

***Note that all employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Medical and Religious Exemptions may be provided.***

ADA/AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People and Culture department at peopleandculture@quadprep.org.

The Quad Preparatory School is based on an inclusive philosophy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, familial status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law in its hiring procedures and policies.