Navigating Education Job Opportunities on Staten Island: A Focus on Special Education at Uncommon Schools

This article explores the landscape of education job opportunities on Staten Island, with a particular focus on the requirements for special education positions at Uncommon Schools. Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, they are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond.

Uncommon Schools: A Commitment to Excellence

Uncommon Schools' students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting their dedication to their success. Uncommon Schools invests deeply in educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Uncommon Schools teachers are passionate about developing and monitoring accommodations for students with special needs, advocate for students, and believe that specialized instruction and related services increase academic achievement. Special Education teachers offer academic, emotional, and physical support while maintaining high expectations.

The Role of a Special Education Teacher at Uncommon Schools

Special Education teachers at Uncommon Schools play a vital role in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Their responsibilities encompass several key areas:

Instruction

Special Education teachers modify, differentiate, and teach an inclusive curriculum that emphasizes diversity. They collaborate with families and Special Education teams to develop 504 and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that offer appropriate accommodations and modifications. A core function is creating an inclusive and safe environment where students feel empowered to become self-guided learners.

Special Education Specific Responsibilities

Collaboration is key, as Special Education teachers work with general education teachers, school leaders, and families to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments and ensure compliance with Individualized Education Plans. Managing a caseload of IEPs, including gathering academic growth data, writing IEPs, and participating in IEP meetings, is also a critical aspect of the role. They teach pull-out, push-in, small group, and one-on-one instruction and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in their classroom.

School Culture

Building positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard is essential. Special Education teachers partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their child's learning needs. Moreover, they engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions. Participation in weekly, school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model core values, and encourage student achievement is also expected, as is partnering with the grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications and Requirements for Special Education Roles

To be considered for a Special Education position at Uncommon Schools, candidates typically need to meet the following qualifications:

A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development
An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students
A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives
A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years experience preferred).
Academic expertise in Special Education, the Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, or related fields of study.
Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

While certification is not required to be hired at Uncommon, teachers do need to meet NY state certification eligibility requirements. To meet these requirements, you must enroll in a teacher preparation program and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher during your employment with us if you do not have a degree in education. Uncommon Schools teachers are required to become certified in the state of New York within a reasonable period after beginning employment.

Compensation and Benefits at Uncommon Schools

Uncommon Schools offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of their staff and their families. Their compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation for this role is between $72,000 to $115,000. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $72,000.

Benefits include:

Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
Extensive, best-in-class training and development
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
Financial Planning
403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Uncommon Schools

Uncommon Schools values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape their school culture. They are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities they serve-with over 70% of their staff identifying as people of color.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. They also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions.

Additional Opportunities in the NYC Department of Education

In addition to teaching positions, the NYC Department of Education employs a wide variety of professionals and paraprofessionals in schools. Those interested in working as a paraprofessional in New York City public schools can start by working as a substitute paraprofessional.

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