Associate Special Education Teacher

About the Role

The Associate Teacher works under the direction of a licensed classroom teacher to ensure curriculum is implemented correctly, plan and schedule students, assist with classroom organization and materials preparation, supervise paraprofessional staff as assigned, and provide assistance and relief to paraprofessionals for scheduled breaks. The Associate Teacher will assist the teacher in developing lesson plans, completing formative assessments, maintaining all records and materials for the classroom, ensuring that the classroom is prepared for educational activities for the next day, and assist with students as needed.

Responsibilities

• Student Support:
  • Ensure that staff is providing ongoing instruction and academic programming.
  • Ensure that staff is following all functional communication protocols.
• Classroom Support:
  • Ensure staff is following the classroom schedule.
  • Help teacher with all preparations of materials for the students each day.
  • Help teacher keep the classroom and materials clean, organized, and put away.
  • Assist with staff implementation of Positive Behavior Support Plan & behavioral protocols.
  • Help teacher in conducting academic, group, and social activities.
  • In the absence of the classroom teacher, ensure all classroom and supervisory duties are fulfilled, including providing periodic observations and assistance with performance evaluations for assigned staff.
• Behavior Management:
  • Manage behavioral episodes in a positive and respectful manner under Crotched Mountain policies and procedures.
  • Utilize training to de-escalate students safely when they pose an immediate safety risk.
  • Perform standing restraints safely and effectively; avoid, deflect, or redirect inappropriate physical contact.
  • Anticipate events likely to cause problems and explain, teach about, or avoid them.
• Medical Support:
  • Support the medical needs of the students.
  • Recognize signs of impending medical concerns and, when trained, administer medication as prescribed.
  • Respond to seizure protocols for students with seizure disorders.
  • Respond to injury emergencies, contact required personnel, and document medical incidents according to policy.
• Collaboration:
  • Develop cooperation and teamwork while working toward solutions that benefit all involved.
  • Facilitate and/or attend classroom meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
  • Keep teacher and other team members informed and up-to-date.
• Documentation:
  • Ensure thoroughness in accomplishing all required paperwork.
  • Monitor and check documentation and organize time and resources efficiently.
  • Ensure staff completes all required documentation on time, including medication sheets, one-to-one sheets, IEP data collection, Behavioral Support Plan data, and shift-to-shift communication logs.
  • Accurately document medical information using Matrix Point of Care.
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Be immediately ready to support the classroom and students at the start of each shift.
  • Utilize prompting and prompt fading techniques.
  • Attend all required team meetings and supervision meetings (e.g., RBT).
  • Report all feedback, observations, and concerns to the teacher.
  • Check email at least once per day.
  • Ensure only encouraging conversations occur around students; report negative conversations.
  • Ensure all engagement and interactions with students are appropriate, functional, encouraging, and positive.
  • Ensure staff have and present all materials needed for students at all times.
  • Distribute teaching materials (e.g., assignments, workbooks, papers, pencils).
  • Follow all task analyses, teaching protocols, discrete trials, and naturalistic teaching techniques.
  • Complete a physical every three years per child care licensing regulations.
  • Advocate and protect clients’ rights in accordance with current policies and procedures.
  • Actively participate in vocational opportunities, field trips, community outings, and special events.
  • Assist with meals and snacks following all dietary and prescribed Meal and Nutrition protocols.
  • Assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) as needed, including personal hygiene, toileting, and dressing.

Requirements

• Willing and able to work with students of all ability levels.
• Obtain and maintain a Para-educator II certification through the New Hampshire Department of Education.
• Complete RBT training within six months of being hired.
• Complete an Individual Professional Development Plan with measurable goals through the assigned Classroom Teacher.
• Complete 50 hours of professional development activities aligned with identified goals over three years.
• Renew certification through the New Hampshire Department of Education every three years.

Benefits

For Full-time Employees

• Health Insurance: Offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield, with generous company contribution.
• Enhanced Retirement Plan: 25% - 33% employer match based on tenure.
• Student Loan Assistance: Consolidation, counseling, and limited employer contribution.
• Discounted Tuition: Available through college and university partnerships.
• Tuition Assistance: Reimbursed or prepaid college coursework.
• Home Mortgage Initiative: Favorable down payment (3-5%) and reduced closing costs co-paid by Seven Hills.
• Work-Life Balance:
  • Generous Accrued Paid Vacation: 3 weeks in your first year.
  • Vacation Cash-Out Option.
  • 3 Paid Personal Days.
  • 11 Paid Holidays.
  • Accrued Paid Sick Time.

For Part-time Employees

• Accrued Paid Sick Time.
• Enhanced Retirement Plan: 25% - 33% employer match (minimum of 20 worked hours per week).
• Student Loan Assistance: Consolidation and free debt counseling.
• Personal PTO (minimum 20-hour regular part-time schedule; does not apply to per diem).