Floating Classroom Teacher - LaGrange School Program

Description

Who We Are

For over 60 years, Abilities First, Inc. has been empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to live their most vibrant, independent lives. From early education to adulthood, our wide range of services—including preschool and school programs, day and residential habilitation, community connections, and employment services— are designed to uplift every individual’s unique strengths and dreams.

We believe in the power of people—of every background, identity, and ability—to create change and build a more inclusive world. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is welcoming and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender and gender identities. At Abilities First, you’ll join a mission-driven team that values collaboration, celebrates individuality, and is dedicated to meaningful work. If you're ready to turn your passion into purpose, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

Who We Need

We are looking for patient, energetic and passionate Floating Teacher for our LaGrange School program located in Poughkeepsie, NY.  This is an opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team, focusing on the educational programming for all school-age children at every level of ability. As a Floating Teacher you are responsible, through the use of the integrated services model, for the assessment of each student’s individual needs, curriculum planning and development, carryover of therapy goals into the classroom setting and coordination of the classroom support staff.

 Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-3:00pm, 32.5 hours per week, 48 weeks per year (includes a 6-week summer program)  

 Pay Range: $27.15 - $32.15

Responsibilities:

• The classroom teacher uses standardized and non-standardized assessment tools to determine the current level of performance of each student. 
• The classroom teacher coordinates the planning and implementation of an instructional program that needs the individual age-appropriate educational needs of each student in the classroom.
• The classroom teacher writes IEP’s monthly progress notes and weekly lesson plans. 
• The classroom teacher organizes and maintains a neat and structured environment, which assists the facilitation of each student’s learning, which includes the use of space, selection of materials, scheduling, and behavior management. 
• Then classroom teacher coordinates classroom support staff the assessment, planning and implementation of each student’s IEP.
• The classroom teacher assists in the classroom according to staffing patterns and students’ needs (changing diapers, assistance with toileting, assistance with feeding) leading by example.
• The classroom teacher escorts and assists students to and from the bus providing opportunities for student’s increased independence in orientation and mobility.
• The classroom teacher observes and arranges for staff to observe related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and vision services to ensure the execution of those goals in the classroom. The classroom teacher should also encourage the “push-in” model of therapy within the classroom environment, when appropriate. 
• The classroom teacher develops and maintains positive interpersonal communications with staff and other professionals, maintains a good social-emotional climate, which serves to enhance the overall performance of the classroom staff, as well as creating the positive self-esteem of each student. 
• The classroom teacher attends professional/general staff meetings and in service training within the agency and throughout the community and shares that knowledge with other members of the staff. 
• The classroom teacher shares knowledge of the student with other professionals in order to appropriately meet each student’s educational needs at classroom Team Meetings, Doctor’s Conferences and School. District Committee on Special Education Annual Meetings. 
• The classroom teacher provides and maintains a sufficient and safe level of supervision of each student for the amount of time that is spent in school.
• The classroom teacher follows all agency policies and procedures and demonstrates a continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others. 
• The classroom teacher performs other appropriate job-related activities as required by immediate supervisor or as circumstances warrant. 
• Ensures that employees follow the Code of Ethical and Legal Behavior and conform to the strictest standards of Corporate Compliance and HIPAA, as well as all federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations. 
• Adhere to agency Cod