History Head Teacher (Middle School)

Job Overview :

We seek a dynamic, flexible, and innovative individual with a Humanities background and preferably special education experience to join our teaching team for the 26_27 school year, starting in August 2026. The ideal candidate has worked with students with learning disabilities and is eager to grow and learn with an experienced team of professionals, teaching students with various skill levels and inspiring and developing students’ interests and abilities in history and social studies.

Essential Functions:

• Teach a range of topics related to the history curriculum, with a specific focus on American history with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. The ability to teach writing and study/student skills is expected.
• Develop and implement engaging, diverse, and inclusive history curricula that emphasize historical thinking, inquiry, and literacy.
• Teach advisory class daily, focusing on social-emotional topics and executive functioning, as well as community building.
• Establish class routines and behavioral expectations.
• Collaborate with colleagues, Assistant Teacher, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and subject area specialists to design and implement class curriculum, as well as instruction goals for individual students.
• Write progress reports, prepare and attend conferences. 
• Communicate with families during conferences and at other times as necessary to promote students’ social, emotional, and academic progress.
• Develop a joyful and productive learning community where students feel safe to take risks
• Attend and participate in IEP meetings and Impartial Hearings  as required
• Attend full faculty and staff meetings, as well as other required meetings, including division/cluster meetings. 
• Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community. 
• Ensure a commitment to the school’s DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds.
• Be an active member of the Gaynor community
• Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required (History focus preferred) 
• Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and/or Special Education preferred
• Two to three years’ experience as a Head Teacher working with children with learning disabilities
• Share a deep interest in history
• Comfortable and adept in speaking with children, parents, and teachers. 
• Experience working with children with learning differences (preferred)
• Experience using an Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction (preferred)
• Independent or special education school teaching experience (preferred)
• Knowledge of the cognitive, linguistic, and developmental needs
• Strong communication (both written and verbal), organizational and collaboration skills with a kind and supportive demeanor.
• Ability to be flexible to adjust to classroom instruction, while ensuring the needs of all learners are met
• Effective classroom management, communication, and organizational skills
• Manages time to maximize student learning with the ability to multitask 
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Sets a respectful, collaborative, and positive tone, both inside and outside of the classroom and recognizes our responsibility to create a diverse and inclusive environment that supports and celebrates each individual in our school community
• Proficient in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs & Sheets) and Microsoft Office

Stephen Gaynor School offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive professional development program. Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter and contact details for at least two individuals who can supply reference letters upon appointment. 

Please apply online at Employment Opportunities.

THE GAYNOR DIFFERENCE: UNLOCKING EACH STUDENT’S POTENTIAL

Since 1962, Stephen Gaynor School has been redefining what’s possible for children with learning differences. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Gaynor provides an individualized, evidence-based education for students in Pre-K through 8th grade who learn differently, including those with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. 

At Gaynor, our nearly 400 students benefit from small classes, a 3:1 student–teacher ratio, and specialized instruction, ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive. Faculty work side by side with in-house specialists in speech, occupational therapy, literacy, and psychology— integrating academic, emotional, and developmental growth into every student’s experience. 

Beyond academics, Gaynor emphasizes confidence, self-advocacy, and belonging. Students learn to understand how they learn best, communicate effectively, and take pride in their progress. The school’s joyful, inclusive community celebrates diversity and nurtures each child’s curiosity and creativity, ensuring they feel valued and supported at every step. 

Graduates leave Gaynor with a strong foundation—academically prepared, emotionally grounded, and equipped with the tools to navigate new challenges. Families describe the experience as transformative: a place where children are understood, empowered, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.

Our Diversity Mission: Stephen Gaynor School is dedicated to promoting and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community. We recognize, value, and celebrate many types of diversity, including neurodiversity, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, sexual orientation, family composition, language, and gender identity/expression.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Stephen Gaynor School is an equal employment opportunity employer. Gaynor is committed to building a culturally diverse and anti-racist workforce. We provide opportunities for employment without discrimination or harassment on the basis of (including hairstyle), color, religion, creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage, age, pregnancy, marital/partnership status, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran or active military service member status, disability, genetic predisposition, status as a victim of domestic violence, prior arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law (collectively, the “Protected Characteristics”).

Salary : $72,500 - $100,407