Special Education Teacher

At Karafin, our mission is to help every student achieve their maximum potential.

The Karafin School was founded in 1958 to serve students with special needs.  In its early years, it expanded rapidly and became well known for its emphasis on an individualized approach and its concern for each student’s specific needs.   

Throughout the sixty-five years of its existence, the Karafin School has changed to adapt to technological developments and changing educational standards.  It has maintained a high graduation rate, with most of its students going on to two and four year colleges.

Today the Karafin School continues to serve students who have not experienced success in public schools.  The high standards which have distinguished the school from its earliest days are now maintained by an experienced and dedicated staff. 

We are seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher with a strong commitment to academic excellence and a passion for English language instruction. The ideal candidate will possess a solid background in English studies and subject-area teaching, along with meaningful experience supporting students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs or 504 plans. This teacher will play a key role in fostering a supportive, inclusive, and differentiated classroom environment in a 6:1:1 setting, where all students are empowered to achieve success in reading, writing, and language development.

• Develop and implement dynamic lesson plans that align with curriculum and are accessible to students with varying abilities.
• Modify instruction and materials to accommodate individualized education plans (IEPs) and learning differences.
• Collaborate with counselors and related service providers to support students with special needs.
• Provide one-on-one and small group instruction as needed to reinforce learning goals.
• Monitor and document student progress, behavior, and engagement, and communicate regularly with parents and support staff.
• Use formative and summative assessments to evaluate student learning and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Establish and maintain a structured, respectful, and supportive classroom environment.
• Participate in IEP meetings and contribute to the development of individualized plans.
• Engage in professional development and remain current on best practices in differentiated instruction and inclusive education.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related subject Required; Master’s degree preferred.
• New York State teacher certification Required 
• Demonstrated experience working with students with special needs preferred
• Strong classroom management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming, and academically rigorous learning environment.
• Must be willing to undergo a  background check and comply with all applicable school and local education requirements.

Preferred Attributes:

• Dual certification in a subject area and Special Education
• Experience with positive behavior supports and/or trauma informed practices
• Comfort using instructional technology and learning platforms (e.g. Teams or Frontline)

Salary Range: $45k-$60k depending on experience. 

Benefits: 

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k

Competitive Time Off 

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Our school is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

#IND1