Middle School Learning Specialist, Math Focus at IDEAL School of Manhattan – New York, New York

Title: Middle School Learning Specialist, Math Focus

Reports to: Middle School Head

Employment Type: Faculty; Full-time, Exempt

Projected Start Date: Late August 2026

Work Location: 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is an inclusion school dedicated to creating a diverse community that affirms and accepts the full identities of all people, while inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.

Position Description

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is seeking a talented, enthusiastic, and creative Learning Specialist with a focus on Mathematics for a full-time position starting in August 2026.

IDEAL teachers are charged with inspiring students in an inclusive and nurturing learning community to achieve personal and academic excellence. IDEAL expands the definition of diversity to include ability, and thus candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach a range of learners and to scaffold lessons with note-taking guides, visual aids, and other supports to promote the success of a range of learners. It is expected that teachers engage students’ curiosity through interdisciplinary activities, discussion, and project-based learning. Middle School teachers teach four to five class sections, meeting 16-20 periods per week. While this role primarily teaches Middle School, the Learning Specialist may also teach classes across Upper School as part of the regular teaching load.

In addition to primary teaching responsibilities, the Learning Specialist will participate fully in the life of the school. All IDEAL teachers contribute in significant ways beyond the classroom; it is expected that teachers serve as advisors, mentor at least one club, and may lead their own extra-curricular activities and initiatives. They know their students as learners and as individuals, and they inspire them by setting a high bar for excellence while making the classroom fun and supporting all learners in their achievement. Occasionally, teachers may be asked to chaperone day and overnight class trips. Teachers may be required to support remediation in the Learning Center.

The successful candidate will partner thoughtfully with colleagues and parents; demonstrate the ability to inspire students at all levels to strive for both personal and academic excellence; and possess a commitment to inclusive education.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Apply expertise in student development and the pedagogy of education for typically developing students as well as those with special needs

Collaborate with the general education teacher to co-plan and implement tiered lesson plans, ensuring that curriculum is accessible to all learners through a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.

Adapt and implement tiered lesson plans incorporating differentiated instructional methods and outcomes to engage and inspire students with varied abilities and learning styles

Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students

Establish and enforce expectations for behavior and for maintaining harmony within the community

Partner with other educators, therapists, and additional professionals on the implementation of support strategies

Research and integrate contemporary and innovative curricula, texts, and technology into instruction

Contribute to CSE meetings and yearly goal reviews

Communicate regularly, via verbal and written communication, with all constituencies, including students, faculty, administration, and families

Attend and participate in weekly faculty meetings, team meetings, committee meetings, school functions, and professional development activities during and after school hours as needed, appropriate, and assigned

Meet deadlines for progress reports and other administrative tasks within a school setting

Contribute broadly and fully to the spirit and life of our students, community, and mission

Uphold the mission, philosophy, principles, policies, and procedures of IDEAL

Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, with Special Education Designation

Lead classroom teaching experience

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree, with Special Education or related designation

Independent school experience preferred

2-3 years of relevant, hands-on teaching experience preferred

Previous experience in an inclusive setting

Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning

Essential Qualities:

Appreciation for the school’s mission

A strong understanding of differentiation

The ability to collaborate as part of a team

A desire to make a difference in the school--to contribute time and talent outside of the classroom to the growth of students and the school

Benefits include: Paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending program, health reimbursement account, commuter benefits program, income protection via short and long-term disability benefits, paid family leave, discount lunch options, professional development opportunities, 403(b) plan with employer contribution(waiting period applies).

Salary Range: $65,000-85,000 (this represents the expected salary range for this position. Salary will be determined based on education, experience, and other job-related factors)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and job applicants and to making all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, caregiver status, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all policies and procedures.

This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. demotion, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.