Special Education Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Special Education Teacher

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (48-Week Position)

Reports To: Assistant Principal/Executive Director

About Archbishop Damiano School – Westville, NJ

Archbishop Damiano School (ADS) serves students ages 3–21 with multiple disabilities through individualized educational programming that supports academic growth, communication, independence, and life readiness.

We are a mission-driven school community where compassion, collaboration, structure, and high expectations come together to support exceptional learners.

Position Summary

Archbishop Damiano School seeks a dedicated and skilled Special Education Teacher to join our instructional team. This role is ideal for an educator who thrives in a collaborative, student-centered environment and is committed to supporting learners with diverse academic, developmental, communication, and behavioral needs.

Classroom assignments may vary across programs based on student and school needs; successful candidates demonstrate the flexibility and skill set to support learners across developmental levels while fostering a structured, engaging, and supportive classroom environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Special Education Teacher will:

• Design and deliver individualized instruction aligned with NJDOE standards, student IEPs, and functional learning goals.
• Create and maintain a structured classroom environment that promotes engagement, communication, independence, and positive student outcomes.
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning, sensory, developmental, and behavioral support needs.
• Implement positive behavior supports, proactive classroom management strategies, and de-escalation techniques as appropriate.
• Support student growth across academic, social-emotional, adaptive, and daily living skill areas based on individualized programming.
• Collaborate effectively with paraprofessionals, related service providers, and administrators to support cohesive classroom instruction.
• Utilize assistive technology, augmentative communication systems, and instructional accommodations, when appropriate.
• Monitor student progress, maintain required documentation, and actively participate in IEP meetings and interdisciplinary planning.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and instructional supports.
• Contribute to a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in professional development, school events, and other duties aligned with the needs of the school.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

Successful candidates typically bring:

• Strong classroom leadership and the ability to establish structure while building meaningful student relationships.
• Experience supporting students with varying communication, behavioral, and learning needs.
• Confidence managing classroom teams, including collaboration with paraprofessionals and related service providers.
• A calm, flexible, and solution-oriented approach in dynamic classroom environments.
• The ability to balance compassion, consistency, and high expectations in supporting student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Valid New Jersey certification as Teacher of the Handicapped (TOH) or Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) required.
• New Jersey instructional endorsement in Preschool through Grade 3 (P–3) or Elementary K–6 required, consistent with DOE requirements.
• Experience supporting students with developmental, communication, and behavioral needs in structured educational settings preferred.
• Experience implementing positive behavior supports and structured classroom management practices preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Successful completion of the New Jersey Department of Education Criminal History Background Check required.

Work Environment

This position supports students with a range of individualized needs. Depending on classroom assignment, students may benefit from communication supports, behavioral interventions, sensory regulation strategies, mobility supports, or functional/adaptive programming. Teachers are supported through collaboration, training, and interdisciplinary teamwork to be successful in these environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• 48-week full-time position aligned with the ADS school calendar
• Salary range: $58,000–$68,000 annually, based on experience and education
• Benefits eligibility after 60 days
• Single health coverage fully covered by the school
• PTO/Sick Time Bank
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option
• Professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Archbishop Damiano School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating an inclusive and respectful workplace for all.