Elementary Special Education Teacher (grade 5)

Duties

• Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at times designated.
• Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of established district curriculum goals, setting and communicating clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects.
• Prepares for classes and provides written evidence of preparation upon request of the immediate supervisor as required by the teachers’ contract.
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location and the needs of the students.
• Implements the district’s philosophy of education, instructional goals, objectives, and performance expectations through instruction and action.
• Assesses student accomplishments regularly, provides progress reports, and communicates with parents as necessary.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Diagnoses student learning challenges regularly and seeks assistance from district specialists as needed.
• Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Follows the SPS code of conduct and establishes fair and just classroom behavior rules.
• Plans and supervises assignments for paraprofessionals and provides written evaluations as required.
• Maintains an ongoing program of professional growth that meets district requirements and personal expectations.
• Participates actively in the contractually-approved teacher evaluation process, contributing to mutual agreement on evaluation results.
• Attends building and district meetings to promote communication and mutual decision-making among staff.
• Attends traditional school-sponsored activities (e.g., Back to School Night, Open House, programs) as agreed upon by the building administrator and faculty.
• Contributes to district and building decisions regarding budget, facilities, curriculum, and personal well-being.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.

Qualifications

• Highly qualified with required competency in the content area.
• Appropriate content/program area educator license (Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities) and PreK-8 grade level licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Bachelor’s Degree with appropriate license; Master’s Degree with appropriate content area license preferred and/or expected within 5 years.

About Our District

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts, committed to providing a learning environment that opens doors of infinite possibilities for our students and staff. We serve approximately 24,000 students, with over 44 languages spoken and 60 countries represented. Our district fosters a positive, professional environment where individuals feel valued, respected, supported, seen, and heard. We are dedicated to equity and excellence, offering competitive salaries, benefits, and cutting-edge professional development opportunities. Our programs support staff growth, including mentorship, instructional leadership, and career advancement initiatives.

For specific inquiries about this position or assistance with matching your skills, contact Carmen Molina-Figueroa at molina-figueroac@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, ancestry, age, disability, military service, veteran status, marital status, or homelessness. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination or participate in equal opportunity investigations.

Inquiries about Title IX may be directed to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator at titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr. The Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325. Policies and grievance procedures are available at www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination.