Special Education Teacher - Southbridge Middle School

About the role

Southbridge Public Schools serves approximately 2,200 students across six schools, currently undergoing a transformative journey. The district is particularly focused on improving its secondary schools, with recent successes highlighted in a video showcasing the improvements at Southbridge Middle School.

Responsibilities

• Implement and adapt direct/explicit academic and specially designed instruction across content areas using multi-sensory teaching, differentiated strategies, including use of modified content, methodology, and performance criteria as needed, as well as assistive/educational technology in the classroom.
• Collaborate with grade level classroom teachers, other special education teachers, and specialists to provide comprehensive and effective services to assigned students.
• Promote and assist in the implementation of research-based strategies to ensure the transition and generalization of students' academic and social goals within the regular education environment and throughout the school.
• Assess student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals (e.g., behavioral, motor development and communication skills, academic needs, vocational abilities, etc.) for purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration.
• Serve as contact person for designated caseload, including completion of all associated paperwork (monitoring student performance, writing IEPs/progress reports, etc.), management of the Team process (conducting Annual Reviews, conferencing w/ parents/Team members, etc.), and maintenance of communication between teachers, specialists, families, and any outside providers.
• Utilize appropriate classroom management strategies, including a comprehensive positive behavior intervention system, to ensure a successful and motivating instructional environment within the classroom and throughout the school for designated students.
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of established district curriculum goals, establish and communicate clear objectives to the students for all lessons, units and projects.
• Prepare for classes assigned, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor as required by the teachers' contract.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs of capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
• Strive by instruction and action to implement the district's philosophy of education, instructional goals and objectives and performance expectations.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Diagnose the learning challenges of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as required.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Follows the Southbridge Public Schools code of conduct for the classroom which is consistent with established administrative policies and develops rules of classroom behavior which are enforced in a fair and just manner.
• Plans and supervises assignments for paraprofessionals, and makes written evaluations as required.
• Maintains an ongoing program of professional growth that satisfies district requirements but also satisfies personal expectations as a professional.
• Takes an active part in the contractually-approved teacher evaluation process, contributing to a mutual agreement concerning the results of that evaluation.
• Attends building and district meetings to promote communication and mutual decision making among the staff; said meetings to be held during the extended day.
• Attend established traditional school sponsored activities (e.g., Back to School Night, Open House, programs, activities) agreed upon by the building administrator and the faculty consistent with the teachers' contract.
• Contribute to the decisions made by the district and building regarding budget, facilities, curriculum, and personal well-being.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Provide supervision to assigned paraprofessionals.
• Cookordinate student and staff schedules to ensure compliance with IEP requirements and the efficient use of resources.
• Consult with staff and administration on instructional/student issues as an active, participatory Team member.

Qualifications

• Perform other duties as reasonably required.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution; Hold a valid Massachusetts Teaching License in Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, PreK-12 OR Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, All Levels. Hold a valid Massachusetts SEI Endorsement OR Grade-level appropriate ESL License; Meet all state and federal guidelines in order to be fully licensed and Highly Qualified; Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.
• Qualifications-preferred: Experience in urban, high-poverty, and/or turnaround schools; Major/minor in specific teaching content area; Additional certification in Teacher of English Language Learners (ESL); Demonstrated experience in English Language Development (ELD) and Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) strategies strongly preferred; Bilingual language proficiency (Spanish/English) strongly preferred. The applicant should have knowledge and/or experience with students with moderate to severe needs.

Benefits

Southbridge Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.