[2025-2026] Special Education Lead Teacher - Middle School

[2025-2026] Special Education Lead Teacher - Middle School

Full-time

Start Date: Next year opening

Department: Teacher

Company Description

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond. Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500+ students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. KIPP Capital Region is excited to open the first co-ed high school in the region during the Fall of 2025 to approximately 350 students with the goal of growing to 800 students by its year four. We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Special Education Teacher role holds the primary responsibility for developing, monitoring accommodations, and implementing the curriculum, school culture, and the success of the school's students with special needs.

Duties/Responsibilities

Curriculum Development and Instruction

• Plan and deliver instruction while maintaining and improving instructional techniques and classroom management, including assessments, grading, and other classroom responsibilities.
• Adapt and execute a rigorous, standards-aligned curriculum and assess students' progress
• Use data to inform instructional decisions
• Offer academic, emotional, and physical support while maintaining high expectations.
• Collaborate with families and Special Education teams to develop 504 and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that offer appropriate accommodations and modifications.
• Demonstrate strong pedagogy

Commitment to School and Classroom Culture

• Work collaboratively with your school team and those across KIPP Capital Region
• Help develop a school-wide culture that best fits the needs of our students, teachers, and families
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings and communicate openly with staff
• Develop positive rapport with students
• Create and foster a positive and calm learning environment
• Enforce, uphold, and exhibit the school's values, student management policies, and culture

Family Engagement

• Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all parents and share progress
• Be available for open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and other events involving parents
• Make him/herself available to students, parents, and other staff members

Growth Mindset

• Pursue challenging professional goals each year
• Willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to change and improvement
• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year (held during school hours)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited College or University, required
• Valid NYS Certification in Special Education, required
• Knowledge of national, state, and local special education statutes and the law required
• Academic expertise in Special Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, or related fields of study
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a school educator, preferably in a charter or public school environment, preferred
• Prior experience working in schools and urban communities is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours.
• Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Additional Information

WORK PERKS When you join KIPP Capital Region, you are joining in on our promise to families that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop a passion for learning and the drive necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in the Capital Region. And while the biggest perk to working at KIPP Capital Region is doing work that makes a lifelong difference in the lives of our students, you'll find that's not the only benefit we offer:

• Flexible working arrangement
• Generous time-off
• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match
• Childcare benefits
• Unparalleled work/life integration
• Casual dress code
• Relocation stipend (conditions apply)
• And so much more! For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP Capital Region, please view our Employee Benefits Summary.

Learn More: KIPP Capital Region offers a competitive salary ranging from $56,000 - $75,669/year. There is also a $5,000 sign-on bonus. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and longevity within the KIPP network. KIPP Capital Region will evaluate and determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our grade salary scale at point of hire. All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti-racism and inclusion, are part of a close-knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. Learn more about what it's like to work at KIPP Capital Region: kippcapital.org/join-our-team/. This role is located at KIPP Capital Region schools in Albany NY.