Special Ed Teacher

Job Description

Special Education Teacher - Moderate Disabilities

Position Overview

We are seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher to provide comprehensive academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support within a highly structured therapeutic school environment. The teacher will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs), differentiated instruction, and individualized supports that address the diverse needs of students.

The ideal candidate will be committed to creating a safe, engaging, structured, and supportive learning environment while helping students make meaningful academic, behavioral, and social-emotional progress.

Responsibilities

Student Supervision & Support

• Supervise and monitor students throughout the school day to ensure their safety, engagement, and participation.
• Provide individualized support based on students' academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
• Develop individualized plans when necessary to support skill development and credit recovery.
• Maintain continuity of academic instruction during disruptions while collaborating with support staff to maintain student safety.

Academic Instruction & Assessment

• Assess students' current academic performance levels to inform instruction.
• Develop and implement differentiated instruction tailored to students' individual needs and strengths.
• Teach assigned content areas based on the needs of the school community.
• Implement daily schedules across content areas and related services.
• Develop and display daily, standards-based, student-friendly learning targets.
• Create weekly lesson plans using the school's designated planning format.
• Collect and analyze benchmark assessment data throughout the school year to establish goals and monitor student progress.
• Maintain accurate grading records, including at least three graded assignments per week.
• Use student data to prepare quarterly report cards and inform IEP goals and objectives.

IEP Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the IEP process.
• Ensure IEP goals, accommodations, modifications, and service delivery are current and appropriately implemented.
• Prepare and submit quarterly IEP progress notes and report cards within established timelines.

Classroom Environment

• Develop and maintain an organized, highly structured classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to students' maturity and interests.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media while considering students' physical limitations and individual capabilities.
• Maintain a clean, welcoming, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Take appropriate precautions to protect instructional materials, electronics, and facilities.

Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support

• Assess students' social, emotional, and behavioral performance levels to guide instruction and support.
• Employ therapeutic approaches to reduce maladaptive behaviors and promote prosocial skills.
• Discuss student strengths and areas of need using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach.
• Maintain compliance with required safety and behavior-management training.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate closely with the multidisciplinary student team.
• Effectively oversee and utilize instructional assistants to support student needs.
• Communicate professionally with parents, guardians, and other members of the student support team.
• Attend staff meetings, professional development activities, and school functions as directed.

Professional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate cultural awareness and respect for students' diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and adhere to applicable policies, practices, and regulations.
• Pursue ongoing professional development to maintain licensure and certification requirements.
• Participate actively in performance evaluations and other professional assessments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by school administration.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Current Massachusetts teaching licensure appropriate to the position.
• Candidates with either a Special Education - Moderate Disabilities 5-12 license or a Special Education PreK-8 license will be considered.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience working in educational settings with students from varied backgrounds and with diverse presentations and diagnoses is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

• The position involves frequent exposure to student activities that may present a risk of injury, discomfort, or potential harm.
• Requires considerable physical agility and the ability to perform physical management when necessary.
• Must be able to maintain a safe and supportive environment for students and staff.

Join us and become part of a community that cares deeply for its people. Arbor Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. All interested applicants must be over the age of 18, authorized to work in the United States, and pass a stringent background check, including Criminal History, Sexual Offender Registry, and Department of Children and Families (DCF-MA)/Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF-RI).

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Meet Your Recruiter

Ben Shore


About Springfield, MA

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