Special Education Teacher

At Aspire Living & Learning, we don't just talk about making an impact, we live it. For more than 40 years, we've supported neurodiverse children and adults across New England and Maryland as they discover their passions, unlock their potential, and live more independently in their communities. Our person-centered services evolve with people's needs, from education and behavioral health to residential and community-based supports. We empower people to live lives shaped by their own interests, choices, and strengths. Join our collaborative, mission-driven team and bring your skills to work that makes a real difference every day.

Aspire Living & Learning is currently seeking an enthusiastic Special Education Teacher to join our existing team of highly dedicated and successful professionals.

Hours: M-F 7a-3p

Location: Stamford, CT

This program is a state approved Kindergarten through 12th grade special education school for students referred for both academic and social/behavioral needs. With our philosophy based in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, we use evidence-based instruction and data-based decision making to design, analyze, and modify all interventions in order to maximize student success. Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching serve as the primary instructional methods. In addition, school-wide behavior support systems are used while critical social and behavior skills are explicitly and directly taught. Students receive one on one and small group instruction in skills that are then practiced and reinforced throughout the school day. The philosophy of this program is very simple: Every student can learn given appropriate instruction in the right environment. Our program provides just that! As a Special Education Teacher, you will be responsible for managing a caseload up to 10 students within a classroom, including implementation of academic and behavior programming and overseeing the implementation of each student’s IEP. You will also provide direct supervision and delegate responsibilities to assigned Instructional Assistants and one on one ABA Therapists, while working collaboratively with the BCBA and other team members to develop and implement student programming.

Our ideal candidate:

• CT certification in special education, DSAP or Long-Term Substitute Eligible
• Familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis/Precision Teaching/Direct Instruction
• Some experience working with students with challenging behaviors
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of appropriate referral procedures.
• The ability to remain composed and adherent to best practices, even when under duress.
• Valid driver’s license required, with at least 3 years of driving experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills, experience using Therap a plus!
• Empathy, enthusiasm, and a passion and dedication for helping others.

Employees at Aspire enjoy working with a collaborative and dedicated team that values a culture of belonging and care. We take pride in offering a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• 8-weeks of PTO annually, including personal time, mental health days, and school vacations
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance - Choose from multiple medical plans, with vision coverage included at no extra cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Saving Account (HSA) options - Use pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts with JOON - Monthly funds for wellness, fitness, commuting, childcare, pet care, and more.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match - A 100% match on contributions up to 2% of your salary.
• Generous Paid Time Off - Paid sick, personal, and vacation days, plus holidays.
• Professional Growth Opportunities - Access to training, leadership and management courses, mentorship, and career advancement.
• Employer-Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Telehealth Services and more!

Our school staff enjoy working with a fun team of dedicated professionals to support children with a variety of needs. We believe in a healthy work/life balance, and our reputation for providing high quality, ethical services is one of our biggest assets.

If you want to join us in making a difference and positively impact the lives of others while charting your own path of development, then we at the Aspire team would love to hear from you.

Salary: $65,000 - $95,000 annually

Aspire Living & Learning believes it must play an active role in creating a community of employees that is diverse, inclusive and equitable. Our work benefits greatly from the contributions of people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, and individuals with disabilities. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.