Special Education Learning Center Teacher (Anticipated)

Job Description Thurston Middle School seeks a Special Education teacher to join our caring and innovative community as for the 2026-2027 school year. The special education teacher plans, delivers, and implements effective instruction and assesses student learning in accordance with state curriculum frameworks and district goals. The special education teacher creates an educational environment in which all students are safe and achieve. The special education teacher collaborates with other professionals and students’ families to help students succeed.

OUR SCHOOL

Thurston Middle School is a thriving community of curious, kind students supported by engaged families and dedicated staff. With approximately 650 students in grades 6-8, Thurston welcomes students from the district’s four elementary schools. Our teachers model and encourage a deep investment in learning. Thurston is a proud METCO school, with strong program leadership and an unwavering commitment to supporting the values of the nation's oldest and most successful public school racial integration program.

OUR DISTRICT

Westwood is a welcoming suburban community with an exceptional track record of supporting and celebrating its public schools. As a district, we are committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, and we understand that a diverse team allows us to serve our community better. We welcome and encourage individuals of every race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status to seek opportunities within our school district. You will join the strong professional learning community of the Westwood Public Schools. In our mission to prepare students for college, career, and civic life, we work collaboratively to provide rich and rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, trusting relationships, and authentic educational experiences. We hold true to our core district values of academic excellence and a commitment to improvement; curiosity and tenacity; and respectful relationships in a caring, collaborative community.

NATURE AND SCOPE

The teacher plans, delivers, and implements effective instruction and assesses student learning in accordance with state curriculum frameworks and district goals. The teacher creates an educational environment in which all students are safe and achieve. The teacher collaborates with other professionals and students’ families to help students succeed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan engaging lessons with clear and measurable objectives that are relevant to the appropriate curriculum and the students in the class. Manage class operation by enforcing high academic and behavioral expectations, implementing routines, anticipating potential problems and taking appropriate preventative measures, and treating all students with respect. Create a positive class environment by building a relationship with each student, encouraging students to build relationships with one another, treating all students fairly, promoting students’ self-discipline and responsibility for learning, and not tolerating dangerous or destructive behaviors. Deliver instruction effectively by establishing high expectations for all students, presenting new material explicitly and in a developmentally appropriate manner, connecting new learning to students’ prior knowledge, helping students understand the relevance of what they are learning, differentiating based on students’ needs, and using a variety of pedagogic approaches. Assess student understanding of learning objectives with student self-assessments, frequent formative measures, and periodic summative measures. Collaborate with other professionals to analyze student work, draw conclusions, develop interventions and extensions, and implement new teaching strategies based on assessment data. Understand the Individual Education Programs and 504 Accommodation Plans of students in the class, participate in team meetings, and collaborate with special education and support staff members. Communicate the students’ academic, social, and behavioral progress to their parents or guardians in a respectful and responsive manner. Fulfill professional responsibilities by collaborating with other professionals and students’ parents or guardians, using good judgment, participating in professional development, reflecting on performance and making positive changes to improve student learning, being receptive to feedback, and completing assigned duties. Assuming other responsibilities assigned by the building principal in accordance with collective bargaining provisions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Current Massachusetts teaching license in relevant area or eligibility to become licensed. Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILL

Knowledge of the standards set forth in the MA curriculum frameworks and the Westwood learning expectations. Knowledge of the relevant content Knowledge of relevant School Committee Policies, district and building goals, needs of the students in the class, and relevant state and federal laws. Ability to execute the performance standards set forth in the WPS teaching rubric. Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong organizational and planning skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues. Ability to forge effective working relationships with students and parents. Technological proficiency, both in the use of technology for communication and for instruction. Ability to work under time constraints and meet deadlines.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Demonstrates caring and concern for all students. Conveys a love of learning to students. Makes positive contributions to the larger school community. Communicates clearly.Uses good judgment.

JOB ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom, and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors. Job takes place in a high-performing school district with high expectations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods. Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs. Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom. Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet. Travel among buildings may be required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military #J-18808-Ljbffr TrulyHired