Join an innovative school with a breakthrough, neuroplasticity-based program that moves the field of education forward by reducing or even removing learning, social-emotional and executive function disabilities by "rewiring" student profiles. Students have gained as much as 2-6 grade levels in 6 months with our research-backed approach.
School begins for students: September 8, 2026
About our school and the position:
We are a small, K-12 project-based learning school serving exceptionally bright kids whose educational and social experiences are complicated by uneven neuropsychological profiles. We work with twice-exceptional students and are the first school in the world for kids with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. We re-engineered school from the ground up, creating a new model that operationalizes what neuroscientists know today about how children learn, socialize and grow. This has lead to a ground-breaking educational approach that is proving successful at reducing or removing learning disabilities, by ‘rewiring’ the foundational skills that hold them back through a research-backed process driven by our expert clinical team. This allows us to go beyond accommodating students’ challenges to actually reduce or even remove them.
This new educational model is made possible by a close-knit and highly-collaborative team. Our teachers work as a team across subjects to develop standards-based, deep-dive project-based learning units for gifted kids across a wide range of ages, in ability-based groupings of no more than 6 students. They receive training in how to understand student struggles beyond behavioral approaches, giving teachers greater agency to identify problems and differentiate instruction. Teachers also learn how to utilize movement to enrich academic instruction, through our OT-designed Body-Informed Learning pedagogy. Teachers work side by side with clinicians, and get their expertise (and opportunities to ask questions) in the classroom and in weekly team meetings where each student’s profile is discussed in detail, so our teachers have the information they need to move kids forward in the classroom. Our students present a wide array of both strengths and challenges regarding ELA in particular.
This is a unique opportunity to learn an educational approach delivering transformational growth. Our protocols, proven over 7 years, achieve results other schools haven't thought possible. We seek teachers who are eager to learn this approach while empowering complex learners who are often unsuccessful in traditional environments. You should expect that this is a steep learning curve requiring you to "unlearn" behavioral assumptions and techniques followed in other settings, while learning new ways to understand, predict and respond to student needs. Cajal was granted NEASC Candidacy status in June 2023 and is working towards full accreditation.
Cajal Academy is a fast-paced, fluid environment in a beautiful, historic SONO building. We have an entrepreneurial culture more akin to a tech startup than a siloed public school. Everyone collaborates on student admissions, curriculum planning, and raising awareness for our program. We seek team players who are eager to join our mission to modernize education through neuroscience.
Responsibilities of the role:
- Collaborating with teammates across disciplines to develop multi-disciplinary, ‘deep dive’ project-based learning units that integrate curriculum from across language arts, science, social studies, math and visual arts
- Plan and deliver high-quality, standards-based lessons coordinated with current project-based learning units in collaboration with teachers in other discplines
- Implement Cajal Academy protocols (training provided)
- Participate in daily sensory sessions, student meals and social activities while forming essential student connections
- Monitor, assess and report student progress using competency-based grading
- Provide regular, effective written and oral parent communication on student progress and narrative-based student progress reports
- Monitor student behaviors, report observations to team meetings and implement clinical team recommendations
- Contribute to organizational development including admissions process and social media content
Requirements:
We seek teachers who are passionate about empowering students, not just delivering curriculum, and excited to master our model and protocols. This requires creative problem-solving with an analytical mindset, flexible thinking, empathy and the ability to set aside behavioralist approaches. All teachers must be team players eager to deliver integrated project-based learning, engage beyond walls of their classrooms and help build our organization as a leading voice for educational change.
The successful candidate will be:
- Able to deliver high quality, standards-based English language arts instruction through traditional, discussion, and activity-based learning, up to and including high school level reading, writing, grammar, and literary analysis
- Work with students who demonstrate a wide range of both challenges and strengths regarding ELA. (For example, the ability to hold discourse on high-level literary analysis in one class while helping other students develop solid beginning reading skills, regardless of respective age or grade level)
- Passionate about empowering bright and gifted kids overcoming challenges including learning disabilities, social cognition issues, self-regulation difficulties, motor coordination disorders and chronic medical conditions
- Creative problem solver and flexible thinker with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, comfortable in fast-paced and dynamic environments
- Able to flexibly adapt strategies and set aside assumptions about children's motivations; eager to learn our neuroscience-based approach
- Has extensive teaching experience OR master's degree or higher in curriculum development or related field. CT Certification preferred but not required
- Has strong knowledge of CT curriculum standards OR commitment to developing this knowledge before starting
- Eager to learn new approaches and question traditional assumptions about student motivations, needs and abilities
- Committed to trauma-informed education and classroom management rather than behavioralist approaches
- Strong team player excited to collaborate across educational, clinical, administrative and business roles
- Eager to help grow our school and movement by participating in admissions, administrative, marketing and business aspects
Schedule of Responsibilities:
Students are in session Monday-Friday, 9-3, on a traditional school calendar. Teaching staff are on-site 8:30-4:30, providing time to collaborate on curriculum development, plan/prep lessons, and refine approaches for individual students. Teachers typically have time during the day for lesson plans; where not possible, preparation is completed in their own time.
All teachers participate in our 4-week summer session, providing academic/therapeutic continuity and essential training. Six weeks are designated "Floating Summer Holiday" weeks. Each staff member accrues up to three weeks of “Floating Summer Holiday” that can be taken during those designated weeks and helps to cover essential functions (admissions, marketing, curriculum prep) during the remaining time (pay accrues during the previous school year).
Compensation and Benefits:
All teaching staff must be present during days that school is in session, and align personal time off with school vacations and federal holidays, which are paid. Full-time salaried teachers receive paid sick/personal days, paid holidays, accrued Floating Summer Holiday pay, and are eligible for company medical, dental and vision insurance. All staff may participate in a Connecticut retirement savings program. Compensation is $60-70,000, depending on experience, educational background, certification and demonstrated abilities.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should complete the Employment Application available on our website, including a resume and 3 work references.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- With what age ranges of children have you worked in an educational capacity?
Education:
Work Location: In person
