Special Education Teacher (Elementary)

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER (Elementary)

Cresthaven Academy Charter School exists to provide a comprehensive education to our scholars that develops the whole child through academic excellence, physical wellness, emotional health, and character enrichment.  Our school is built on the belief that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed when given equal access to a high-quality education.  Each of our scholars will be empowered to overcome challenges and equipped to sustain their success in school and beyond.  

Cresthaven Academy Charter School opened in August 2016 with 75 kindergarten scholars, and adds a grade each academic year until we are a K-8 school.  All Cresthaven Academy scholars receive access to the best educators and resources, serving to actualize each child’s potential and setting them on the path to college.  Cresthaven Academy Charter School is supported by Cresthaven Academy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation exists to support the school and teaching  staff in all things outside of classroom instruction, reducing the risk of burnout and raising academic standards by allowing educators to focus on their scholars. Together we incorporate comprehensive support for scholars and families into the education model, including an afterschool program, in order to inspire excellence in character, identity, and academics in each child.  

Cresthaven Academy is focused on supporting excellent teaching that closes the achievement gap.  We recognize that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student achievement.  We also value leadership and support staff because they facilitate, encourage, and help to foster the developmental growth of scholars to achieve physical, social and mental well-being by providing quality care and expertise in their respective roles.  

We are looking for Special Education Teachers for our Elementary school who are able to establish exemplary classroom culture that balances high expectations with love and support.  We seek teachers who are committed to continuously improving teaching and learning through collaboration with their grade level team.  Why join the Cresthaven Academy Family?  Great question!  We’re really passionate about kids, fun, and improvement.  To find out more, visit our website here - www.cresthavenacademy.org

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT CRESTHAVEN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 

We are invested in hiring, training, and retaining top talent.  Before the school year begins, we offer targeted training for new staff.  Aligned to our data-driven approach, we hold ourselves to the highest standards in terms of collaboration and professional development.  At Cresthaven Academy, we are all “learners” and consider ourselves part of a culture of reflection, feedback, and commitment to excellence.  Support includes:

• Built-in planning time to ensure implementation and effectiveness of our co-teaching model.  Intense collaboration with co-teacher and grade team around curriculum and sharing of best practices is a non-negotiable. 
• Weekly leadership-led professional development sessions, including grade-team planning meetings, training on classroom management and curriculum, strategies for working with Students with Disabilities (SWDs) and English-Language Learners (ELLs), and sessions to analyze student work.  
• Frequent observations by the Principal and/or Director of Curriculum & Instruction followed by targeted feedback and recommendations on how to improve teaching and learning.   

SCHOOL COMMUNITY:  

At Cresthaven Academy, we are working collaboratively with parents and community leaders to build a culture of success and student achievement.  We hold all members of our school community to high expectations, know every scholar and family by name, and offer comprehensive support to ensure success for all of our scholars.  

• Cresthaven Academy staff will communicate frequently with families and send written progress notes in English and Spanish several times per year.  The Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will assist non-Spanish speaking teachers to communicate with families and make them feel welcomed in order to support our scholars.
• We will conduct home visits for each new scholar as part of the enrollment process. 
• We will provide periodic Parent Academy sessions, a program designed to address the needs of our scholars and school community. 
• We field questions and quickly respond to phone calls from families to maintain open lines of communication. 
• After-School will be offered exclusively to Cresthaven scholars in order to provide additional academic, creative, and athletic enrichment.  Teachers will have the option of receiving a supplemental stipend for work conducted at enrichment programming.

RESOURCES & TECHNOLOGY: 

Our school model is designed to provide a comprehensive support system to develop the whole child.   We have a full-time nurse, school psychologist, and health and physical education teacher.  Additionally, you can count on the following:

• Brand new, custom-designed classrooms that are engaging and developmentally appropriate.  
• Educational technology including an interactive smartboard and chromebook center in every classroom, as well as a laptop for each staff member to maintain open lines of communication with families and colleagues.
• A leadership and support team to manage many non-instructional aspects of the school day allowing the Executive Director/Principal to focus on instruction and teacher development. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Holds a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and is eligible for a CE or CEAS, or holds a valid NJ teaching credential for the grade and/or subject required.
• Must hold or be able to obtain the New Jersey Certification 
• Must hold Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification
• Charter school or urban school setting experience is preferred, but not required.  
• A demonstrated track record of facilitating student academic growth and having a joyous, positive classroom.
• Passion and sustained commitment to ensure that joyful, rigorous instruction is delivered to every scholar, every day.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, be mission-aligned, and feel excited to be part of a Founding Team

COMPETENCIES

Cresthaven Academy teachers are individuals who demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

• BEHAVIOR AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT  Ability to establish and maintain high expectations and create 100% engagement in a classroom of scholars at all times.  
• ACCOUNTABILITY AND DATA DRIVEN  Proven record of student achievement as evidenced by student work, learning, and data.
• PREPARATION  Ability to study Cresthaven Academy’s curriculum and NJ Student Learning Standards for grade level taught, commit to collegial relationships, work collaboratively to deliver instruction at a high level, and remain flexible and adaptable to change.  
• SELF-REFLECTION  Ability to seek, accept, and implement feedback from colleagues and Principal on an going basis for continuous improvement. 
• STAMINA AND GRIT  Ability to handle the intensity required to work an extended school day and school calendar. 

Cresthaven Academy offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.  Cresthaven Academy Charter School is an equal opportunity employer.