We have an opening for a Lower School Special Education Teacher for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of subject area, content and teaching methodology
- Massachusetts special education license: Moderate Disabilities PreK-8
- Experience working in special education setting (at least three years preferred)
- Understanding of therapeutic milieu and classroom management strategies
- Strong communication, organization and writing skills
Schedule:
- 10 months/full time
- Salary and benefits, including vacation time, determined by the Executive Director
Supervised by: Head Teacher
Responsibilities:
- Plan and deliver effective lessons, activities, homework and units aligned with MA Curriculum Frameworks
- Differentiate instruction, lessons, and homework consistent with students’ IEPs and learning needs
- Work collaboratively with teachers within your team to plan lessons and brainstorm ideas and strategies for working with students who are struggling both behaviorally and academically
- Collect data on student performance based on IEP goals and benchmarks
- Report on student progress through quarterly progress reports
- Complete IEPs and progress reports on schedule
- Attend IEP team meetings, as needed
- Work with Head Teacher, team, and other academic teachers to conduct curriculum based assessments, MCAS, and other assessments, as indicated
- Participate actively in formal and informal supervision and training to increase understanding of learning issues, refine teaching practices and continually improve overall job performance
- Provide coverage for classes/electives when indicated
- Supervise and engage with students during socially focused times, such as snack and lunch
- Effectively manage the classroom and school setting by respond to student behaviors in the classroom and throughout the milieu by utilizing Gifford behavioral systems
- Utilize physical management (Safety Care) techniques to help maintain community safety
- Demonstrate respect for diversity among our staff and student body and promote a safe learning environment for all students and community members
- Lead group activities and student interest groups
- Actively participate in daily team meetings, activities, and all staff meetings
- Communicate serious incidents and other pertinent matters to appropriate leaders in a timely and effective manner and write incident reports when necessary
- Develop positive relationships with families and serve as case monitor for assigned students to inform parents of student progress
- Participate in a few out of hours activities, such as Parents’ Night
- Understand and represent Gifford’s culture and mission to students, families and others
- Within the context of your position at Gifford and as the job evolves, be open to new ideas, opportunities and responsibilities assigned by your supervisor and/or the Executive Director
Physical Requirements
- Ability to participate in outdoor physical activities to include kneeling, stooping and lifting up to 25 pounds