[2025-2026] Special Education Teacher

Position Details

  • Job Title: [2025-2026] Special Education Teacher
  • Department: All Schools
  • Job Category: Instruction

As a national thought leader in deeper learning, Harlem Village Academies is distinguished as the only charter school network in New York offering Montessori PreK and culminating in the International Baccalaureate. HVA is a community of PK-12 schools, a college support program, and a graduate school, the Deeper Learning Institute, where teachers earn a master’s and certification.

The unique deeper learning model at HVA focuses on student independence, critical thinking, ethical leadership, intellectual curiosity, and intrinsic motivation. Serving 98% Black and Latino students, HVA consistently outperforms the district, city, and state by wide margins, and ranks at the very top of charter schools. 100% of HVA high school students earn admission to college each year, and 83% are the first in their families to attend college.  

The Opportunity 

Teaching at Harlem Village Academies is an incredible opportunity—an experience unlike any other. Teachers say that they choose HVA because:

  • Teachers feel respected and valued: HVA views teachers as intellectuals. The hard work of every teacher is seen and appreciated.
  • Teachers want to be part of deeper learning: The HVA instructional model is truly unique. HVA is serious about ambitious pedagogy, and teachers learn how to teach students to be self-directed, sophisticated thinkers. 
  • Teachers love the small, close community: HVA teachers enjoy a special esprit de corps! Teachers are close with leaders and enjoy a warm relationship with colleagues.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and teach highly engaging, academically rigorous curriculum and lessons, aligned with HVA’s standards and deeper learning pedagogical philosophy
  • Invest several hours per week in professional learning, including personalized instructional coaching, co-planning, department meetings, grade level meetings and other learning work 
  • Build strong, lasting relationships with students, inspiring them to hold themselves to a high standard of academics and character
  • Establish and uphold classroom expectations that support students to develop increased agency, responsible autonomy and ownership over learning
  • Analyze assessment data and use it to inform your instruction
  • Collaborate with colleagues to share best practices and ensure student mastery of standards
  • Maintain close relationships with families, including phone calls and conferences
  • Contribute to the school community by attending school events, leading a club, reading group, athletic team, or other initiative

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher
  • New York State Special Education certification preferred
  • 2-3 years of relevant teaching experience required, 5+ years of teaching experience preferred
  • Strong track record of student achievement in your past teaching
  • Ability to create a class environment in which students feel safe, supported and challenged to engage deeply in meaningful work
  • A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement
  • Unshakeable conviction that all students can learn at a high level
  • Highly thoughtful and reflective, committed to always getting smarter with colleagues, reflecting on mistakes, welcoming feedback and making continual adjustments in your practice

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $107,000, and is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications. HVA is committed to providing our team with a range of benefit offerings at a competitive value.

Deeper Learning Institute

Teachers are able to apply for the Deeper Learning Institute (DLI), a graduate program specifically for HVA educators.  Attending DLI is an exceptionally unique opportunity to complete graduate work immersed in the study of deeper learning with a cohort of HVA colleagues. DLI is housed right here at HVA and courses are directly relevant to our teacher’s daily practice. Completing DLI, a two year program, results in both a master’s degree and certification in elementary (childhood grades 1-6 developmental level) and special education (students with disabilities).

Organizational Culture

Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Harlem Village Academies. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset, a very strong work ethic, an inner drive for excellence and will thrive working in an entrepreneurial and results-driven environment.

Harlem Village Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to diversity among our staff. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

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