Company Overview
Family Services of Westchester (FSW) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health and social services that empower families, children, and individuals throughout their lives. With over 50 innovative programs serving 30,000 individuals annually in Westchester County, we are committed to fostering a healthy community through compassionate care.
FSW’s Prime Time Therapeutic Preschool is a Special Education Program for preschoolers in Westchester and Putnam Counties that offers a comprehensive range of individualized educational programming and therapeutic services.
JOB SUMMARY
Family Services of Westchester is seeking a Full-Time Special Education Lead Teacher to join our Prime-Time Program in Peekskill NY.
In this role, you will provide provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Co-Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels. Work in Special Classes (SC) or Special Classes Integrated Setting (SCIS) as assigned.
RESPONSIBILITES
Scope of Influence
- Responsible for documentation, reflection and planning process to devise curriculum informed by children’s IEP.
- Create a warm and inclusive environment where children and families feel welcome
- Organize physical space and selection of materials in a way that is inviting and accessible to children.
- Employ special education strategies and techniques to reinforce learning and meet needs and goals of individual students while preparing objectives and outlines aligned with NY State Preschool Core Standards utilizing thematic and standardized curriculums.
- Plan and coordinate daily lesson plans in accordance with the program's curriculum and aligned to New York State Preschool Core Standards which are reviewed by the Site Director on a weekly basis Document, reflect, and plan from observations. Employs various teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning based on identified needs, objectives, and activities to meet established IEP goals (outcomes).
Planning
- Plan and create a classroom environment with inquiry, exploration, learning and respect in mind
- Nurture children’s home languages through curated books, materials, and the physical environment
- Create a warm and inclusive environment where children and families feel welcome Organize physical space and selection of materials in a way that is inviting and accessible to children
- Create visual evidence of the narratives and curriculum occurring in your classroom
- Prepare, implement and supervise all instructional, organizational, behavioral and management aspects of the classroom assignment
- Employ special education strategies and techniques to reinforce learning and meet needs and goals of individual students while preparing objectives and outlines aligned with NY State Preschool Core Standards utilizing thematic and standardized curriculums
- Use computers, IPADS, audio-visual aides and other materials/equipment/teaching aids to supplement instructional delivery
Planning, Preparation + Curriculum Development
- Construct curriculum, based on children’s IEP and development
- Plan and coordinate daily lesson plans in accordance with the program's curriculum and aligned to New York State Preschool Core Standards which are reviewed by the Site Director on a weekly basis
- Document, reflect, and plan from observations
- Participate in weekly planning meetings with teaching team
- Employs various teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning based on identified needs, objectives, and activities to meet established IEP goals (outcomes).
- Assess students’ progress and determine the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.
- Evaluate and assess of student performance, maintain accurate data to prepare quarterly report cards, annual review reports, and establish IEP goals, collaboration with other members of a multidisciplinary team to coordinate educational placement of children and ongoing communication with parents
- Meet with the educational team and participate on transdisciplinary teams to implement IEP/IFSP goals with individual children
Communication
- Interactions with Children
- Speak and listen to children with respect and mindfulness
- Supervise the whole group, while giving individual attention
- Manage classroom procedures including transitions, routines, and activities
- Engage students in exploration to meet IEP goals
- Scaffolding children through conflict and problem solving as it relates to their IEP’s
Compliance Management
- Maintain accurate records of each student's progress on all required internal or municipality documents as well as daily data collection related to student specific progression toward IEP/IFSP goals through individualized instruction
- Maintains accurate student records, including but not limited to; attendance, accident and injury reports, health forms, task sheets, behavioral data aligned with Behavioral Intervention Plans, annual review assessments/evaluations, quarterly report cards and communication notebook
- Keep parents continually informed of student progress by sending home daily notes, meeting with parents at parent-teacher conferences, responding to parent telephone calls and maintaining correspondence as needed
- Attend scheduled meetings including All Staff Orientation, staff meetings, professional development in services, and parent/staff IEP/IFSP conferences as required Communicate with district, county, organizational agencies, or others outside the school
- Perform all other job-related duties as assigned by the Site Director or designee or as mandated by NYS DOH, SED or municipality regulations\
- Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Prime-Time children, families, and staff according to established policies and procedures.
- Becomes thoroughly familiar with FSW Employee Handbook: Human Resources Policies and Procedures and all other FSW Prime Time handbooks, service plans, and resources and adheres to them.
- Understands and implements all required policies and procedures always related to the active supervision of children, including:
a. Observation of the environment evaluates that children have a place to play and can be observed and listened to at all times.
b. Continuously scan & count for children under care and reports accurate numbers when asked.
c. Listen to children at all times to identify potential danger, like specific sounds or the lack of any sound that may trigger an action.
d. Develops knowledge to the children under care to anticipate their behavior, perform a wellness check, be proactive, and avoid putting children in danger.
- Comply with applicable State and local laws for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
- Remains up to date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including NYSED Special Education Standards, child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood (Required)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education (Preferred)
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
- Special Education Certification (Required)
EXPERIENCE
- 2+ years of experience working with young children and families in an early childhood program, implementing comprehensive family services for special needs children and families from diverse backgrounds.
SKILLS
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to maintain a calm and patient demeanor with all students.
- Thorough understanding of various special education needs and services.
- Thorough understanding of and the ability to implement a variety of effective teaching methods. Thorough understanding of policies, laws, and guidelines related to special education including IDEA, IEPs, and 504.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
WORK ENVIORNMENT
- Work is typically performed in a classroom setting, and some office work is required.
- Contact with employees and representatives of outside agencies, frequent contact with clients
- Possible exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions common to a social service agency
PHYSICAL ENVIORNMENT
- Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout school and classroom.
- Must be able to lift to 45 pounds at a time.
- Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties.
- Must be able to kneel, sit, stand, crawl, push, and pull to assist and teach children throughout the day.
- Prolonged periods sitting and working on computer to complete necessary paperwork.
There are a variety of benefits to joining Family Services of Westchester, an organization with over 65 years of history impacting vulnerable communities. In addition to the opportunity to connect with and help thousands of residents in Westchester County, FSW offers its employees an inspiring, diverse and team-based work environment with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) and generous paid time off.
At FSW, we enjoy working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and value the benefits of a diversified workplace that prioritizes our clients and the communities we serve. If you want to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people across the communities of Westchester, and this position speaks to your capabilities, experience and commitment to social service, please complete the online application on Indeed.com, upload your resume and cover letter with salary requirements. Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or email.
Family Services of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $62,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
