Your Dream Teaching Job: Lead Teacher of Neurodivergent Children

This is the dream job for the right person, not the right résumé. If you've ever worked with a child who struggled and thought "I know exactly what this kid needs, and it's not what a typical classroom gives them," keep reading. We welcome applicants from all kinds of backgrounds: special education teachers, OTs, SLPs, behavior specialists, art teachers, yoga teachers, therapists, tutors, camp counselors, anyone with real, hands-on experience working with kids.

About Fáilte Academy

Fáilte Academy is a small nonprofit microschool in Bryn Mawr serving up to ten neurodivergent, twice-exceptional, and creative children in grades 1–6, many of whom haven't belonged in other schools or have experienced school trauma. Our work is grounded in Dr. Stanley Greenspan's Floortime model and blends Waldorf-inspired philosophy with modern, evidence-based literacy instruction. No grades, no tests, no forced participation.

What This Work Actually Asks of You

Many of our students carry real trauma, and many have a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile, where ordinary requests can trigger fight, flight, or shutdown. Some days the lesson plan doesn't happen at all — staying calm and present while a child cannot is the most important work we do. Other days, a child who hasn't trusted an adult in years chooses to sit next to you. Both are real. You won't do this alone — you'll be one of three adults sharing a single classroom of ten kids, co-regulating and problem-solving together.

You'll Be the Right Person for This Job If

• You have meaningful, hands-on experience with neurodivergent children — classroom, clinical, therapeutic, camp, or home setting
• You're genuinely comfortable with unconventional education
• You know your own nervous system well enough to stay calm and grounded when a child cannot
• You see a struggling child where others see a defiant one
• You believe connection comes before curriculum
• You hold a college degree by the start date

Responsibilities

• Co-plan and co-teach daily instruction across literacy, math, history, science, handwork, art, music, movement, and outdoor time
• Deliver small-group, Science of Reading–aligned literacy and math at each child's pace
• Apply the Floortime model to follow each child's lead and support emotional regulation
• Build authentic relationships with every student
• Write narrative progress reports every 6 weeks and lead family conferences
• Maintain warm, ongoing communication with families

Preferred Experience (any combination welcome — we hire for fit, not a checklist)

• Floortime training
• PA Instructional certificate (Elementary or Special Education)
• Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, LETRS, or other Science of Reading training
• Waldorf training or experience
• Background as an OT, SLP, behavior specialist, or related-services provider
• Mixed-age or microschool experience
• Skill with handwork, music, art, yoga, or outdoor education

What You'll Benefit From

• $40,000–$60,000 based on experience
• Paid personal/sick days and school holidays
• Optional paid summer programming
• A cohort of ten students within a three-adult team
• Ongoing Floortime coaching from the founder
• Start date: August 2026

As a small nonprofit, we don't currently offer health insurance or retirement benefits — we're transparent about that up front.

Required Clearances

PA Act 34, Act 151, and FBI Act 114 child abuse clearances (current or obtainable before start), mandated reporter training before start.

To Apply

Email jennifer@failteacademy.org with your résumé, a few paragraphs about a child you supported through a hard moment, a few sentences on what draws you to this model specifically, and contact info for three professional references.

Paid leave and school vacations.