Westborough Public Schools Westborough , MA 01581
Posted 2 weeks ago
The Westborough Public Schools seek a dynamic Special Educator
to join our caring staff at Hastings Elementary School
beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
The Westborough Public Schools enthusiastically welcome professionals to our district who thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the importance of relationships with our students, staff, families, and community.
We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose stellar staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families.
We educate approximately 4,000 students from Pre-K through age 22, from homes that speak almost 30 different languages.Our student population is approximately 49% Students of Color and 51% White students.
We support our vibrant, passionate, dedicated, skilled and professional staff through ongoing collaboration and feedback to ensure their safety, health, joyful practice, sense of belonging, and professional growth!
With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.
Job Title: Teacher, Special Education, GK-3
Reports to: Principal and Student Services Coordinator
Department: Special Education Grades K-3
Work Year: 2024-2025 school year, 184 days
FLSA Status: Exempt, Unit A
The Special Education Teacher fosters a love of learning that encourages student curiosity, engagement, and growth in a welcoming community of learners. The Intensive Special Education teacher shall have transition specialist experience and provide learning experiences that engage students in language arts, math, science/technology/engineering, social studies, social-emotional, and behavioral learning guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, district standards and requirements, and IEP goals. The Special Education Teacher facilitates the academic, social and behavioral supports for students with special abilities through direct service, collaboration, consultation, and coaching.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's and/or Master's degree from an accredited college/university in a related field
Professional Certification:
MA DESE licensure in Special Education, Intensive Special Needs license preferred
SEI Endorsement
Additional certification in general education and/or ESL highly desirable
Certification as a Wilson Reading Reading or Orton Gilligham instructor is highly desirable.
Specialized Knowledge: child development, disabilities, curriculum frameworks, curriuculum/instructional accommodations and modifications, assessments, IEPs and progress reports, applied behavioral analysis (ABA), inclusive practices, growth mindset, progress monitoring, cultural proficiency, anti-bias instruction, co-teaching, CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) social-emotional learning, assistive technology and technology integration.
Hiring Requirement: Completion and approval of DESE mandated CORI and SAFIS fingerprinting.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
Experience with transition and community outreach.
Experience teaching in English Language Learners in a diverse public school setting
Strong background in inclusive special education practices
Strong background in literacy and math instruction, along with science and social studies instruction
Experience writing and implementing IEPs
Experience creating SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) IEP and progress goals
Experience assessing student progress and writing data-supported progress reports
Highly desirable to have experience with:
Co-Teaching
Balanced Literacy
Readers' and Writers' Workshop
Dyslexia and Explicit phonics instruction
Guided Math Workshop model
Inquiry-based instruction
Project-based learning
Eureka Math
FOSS Science
Second Step
Responsive Classroom
Technology Integration
Assistive technology
PBS (Positive Behavioral Supports) using the FAIR system
Zones of Regulation
Social Thinking
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Schools
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in Schools
Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Collaborative Problem Solving
Behavior Activation Therapy (BAT)
SKILLS:
Create a welcoming, supportive, and equitable learning environment
Plan and implement differentiated lessons and ongoing formative assessment based on district and IEP goals and the abilities, needs, and interests of students to whom assigned
Identify and implement instructional and assessment modifications when needed
Apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional design with a demonstrated commitment to remain current in content knowledge and instructional pedagogy
Facilitate instructional services that are evidence-based: identification of student need, goal-setting, progress-monitoring, and measured outcomes of progress.
Empower students to be critical thinkers who can reflect on their learning, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and implement learned strategies
Partner and collaborate with team teachers, department colleagues, and specialists
Provide effective consultation to general education staff, special education colleagues, and families
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, colleagues, and parents
Integrate technology in order to enhance and extend student learning experiences
Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Creates a welcoming and supportive learning environment that embraces the diversity among individuals and ensures equitable opportunities for student learning and community membership
Manages a caseload of students to ensure that IEPs are implemented and that appropriate student progress is made.
Provides learning experiences across all subject areas as guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, district standards and requirements, and IEP goals, while creating an environment that is conducive to student learning and engagement.
Evaluates instructional practice and assessment strategies to increase student learning
Writes, revises, and monitors IEP implementation
Monitors student progress using data-driven SMART Goal measures, and effectively communicates such progress through written progress reports, and formal and informal communications with colleagues and families.
Effectively collaborates with colleagues as a Co-Teacher and/or consultant in order to optimize student learning
Participates in professional development activities both in and out of District
Participates in all faculty and committee meetings as required
Any other relative duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Special Educator has supervisory responsibilities for any paraeducators who may be assigned to his/her/their classroom. In this capacity, the Special Educator is expected to direct the paraeducators, offer timely and appropriate feedback to the paraeducators related to job performance, and partner with the paraeducators to provide engaged learning with their shared students.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary and benefits, for permanent benefits eligible staff, are per the contract between the Westborough School Committee and the Westborough Education Association.
The Westborough Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other class protected by law.
Date Updated: 3/16/23
Westborough Public Schools