Unique opportunity for experienced elementary, middle & high school math teachers to join a ground-breaking K-12 school for bright & gifted kids with complex profiles

Join an innovative school with a breakthrough, neuroplasticity-based program that moves the field of education forward by reducing or even removing learning, social-emotional and executive function disabilities by "rewiring" student profiles. Students have gained as much as 6 grade levels in 6 months with our research-backed approach.

Timeframe: Limited immediate openings; most positions start with training in June/July. Some teachers may begin part-time and transition to full-time.

About our school and the positions:

We are a small, K-12 project-based learning school serving exceptionally bright kids whose educational and social experiences are complicated by uneven neuropsychological profiles. We work with twice-exceptional students and are the first school in the world for kids with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Our clinical team includes an internationally-renowned neuropsychologist, and we use profile data to dig into the science of what's holding students back, helping them develop an authentic growth mindset while rewiring foundational skills through neuroplasticity.

This is a whole new educational model with different opportunities and expectations for teachers. Our teachers work as a team across subjects to develop standards-based, deep-dive project-based learning units for gifted kids across a wide range of ages, in ability-based groupings of no more than 6 students. They receive training in understanding student struggles beyond behavioral approaches, giving teachers greater agency to identify problems and differentiate instruction. Teachers also learn how to utilize movement to enrich academic instruction, through our OT-designed Body-Informed Learning pedagogy.

This is a unique opportunity to learn an educational approach delivering transformational growth. Our protocols, proven over 6 years, achieve results other schools haven't thought possible. We seek teachers who are eager to learn this approach while empowering complex learners who are often unsuccessful in traditional environments. You should expect that this is a steep learning curve requiring you to "unlearn" behavioral assumptions and techniques followed in other settings.

Cajal Academy is a fast-paced, fluid environment in a beautiful, historic SONO building. We have an entrepreneurial culture more akin to a tech startup than a siloed public school. Everyone collaborates on student admissions, curriculum planning, building care, and marketing. We seek team players eager to grow our organization and mission to modernize education through neuroscience. Cajal was granted NEASC Candidacy status in June 2023 and is working towards full accreditation.

Responsibilities of the role:

Specific responsibilities include:

•        Collaborating with teammates across disciplines to develop multi-disciplinary, ‘deep dive’ project-based learning units that integrate curriculum from across language arts, science, social studies, math and visual arts

•        Plan and deliver high-quality, standards-based lessons coordinated with current project-based learning units

•        Implement Cajal Academy protocols (training provided)

•        Participate in daily sensory sessions, student meals and social activities while forming essential student connections

•        Monitor and assess student progress using competency-based grading

•        Provide regular, effective written parent communication on student progress

•        Monitor student behaviors, report observations to team meetings and implement clinical team recommendations

•        Contribute to organizational development including admissions process and social media content

Requirements:

We seek teachers who are passionate about empowering students, not just delivering curriculum, and excited to master our model and protocols. This requires creative problem-solving with an analytical mindset, flexible thinking, empathy and the ability to set aside behavioralist approaches. All teachers must be team players eager to deliver integrated project-based learning, engage beyond walls of their classrooms and help build our organization as a leading voice for educational change.

Our students have a range of math learning needs, from teaching fundamentals to young learners, to breaking down math in novel ways for students with dyscalculia across all grades, to teaching calculus to gifted high schoolers. We address math challenges by breaking down mathematical functions into composite neurocognitive skills and adapting task demands to reduce demand for areas of weakness within their otherwise strong neuropsychological profiles: a data-driven process led by our neuropsychologist and Head of School. We seek math teachers with demonstrated expertise in standards-based instruction at elementary, middle and/or high school levels who are eager to learn these techniques.

The successful candidate will be:

•        Passionate about empowering bright, gifted kids overcoming challenges including learning disabilities, social cognition issues, self-regulation difficulties, motor coordination disorders and chronic medical conditions

•        Creative problem solver and flexible thinker with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, comfortable in fast-paced environments

•        Able to flexibly adapt strategies and set aside assumptions about children's motivations; eager to learn our neuroscience-based approach

•        Has extensive teaching experience OR master's degree or higher in curriculum development or related field. CT Certification preferred but not required

•        Has strong knowledge of CT curriculum standards OR commitment to developing this knowledge before starting

•        Eager to learn new approaches and question traditional assumptions about student motivations, needs and abilities

•        Committed to trauma-informed education and classroom management rather than behavioralist approaches

•        Strong team player excited to collaborate across educational, clinical, administrative and business roles

•        Eager to help grow our school and movement by participating in admissions, administrative, marketing and business aspects

Schedule of Responsibilities:

Students are in session Monday-Friday, 9-3, on a traditional school calendar. Teaching staff are on-site 8:30-4:30, providing time to collaborate on curriculum development, plan/prep lessons, and refine approaches for individual students. Teachers typically have time during the day for lesson plans; where not possible, preparation is completed in their own time.

Summer schedule: All teachers participate in our 4-week summer session, providing academic/therapeutic continuity and essential training. Six weeks are designated "Floating Summer Holiday" weeks. Each staff member covers essential functions (admissions, marketing, curriculum prep) for two weeks and takes four weeks off (pay accrues during the previous school year).

Compensation and Benefits:

All teaching staff must be present during days that school is in session, and align personal vacation with school holidays. Full-time salaried teachers receive paid sick/personal days, paid holidays, accrued Floating Summer Holiday pay, and are eligible for company medical, dental and vision insurance. All staff may participate in a Connecticut retirement savings program.

Beginning January 2026, new educators and clinicians join our Educator Training Program, receiving on-the-job training in our protocols and methodology. Staff demonstrating mastery (typically ~6 months) receive Cajal Academy Educator Certification and become eligible for 50% tuition remission for one child in their immediate family. Compensation for training program positions is $60-70,000, depending on experience, certification and demonstrated abilities.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should complete the Employment Application available on our website, including a resume and 3 work references.

See it in action!

It’s a bit of an understatement to say we do math a little differently. Use the arrows to the right to scroll through our gallery of Cajal Academy's approach to math instruction in action!