Teacher - Special Education Teacher - Bellingham High School

BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BELLINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS Special Education Teacher
- Therapeutic Learning Center
- Bellingham High School

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the school principal, assistant superintendent for student services, the special education teacher plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students with disabilities in a therapeutic model. The person in this position is responsible for creating a flexible program and learning environment that provides specialized designed instruction for students with and without disabilities, such that the students benefit from the general education curriculum to the greatest extent possible when supported with supplemental aids, modifications, accommodations, and other needed support.

• Provide direct and indirect instructional support to students in a positive therapeutic environment.
• Develop and implement Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) with measurable goals and objectives (SMART Goals) as needed.
• Administer and interpret a variety of standardized academic assessments and construct professional assessment summary reports.
• Adhere to and implement state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates.
• Employ educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual‑motor skills, language, cognition, and memory and behavior.
• Work collaboratively with guidance department staff to support SEL and increase use of regulatory strategies.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, through implementing positive behavioral support plans.
• Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies in accordance with the student's IEP.
• Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students.
• Meet with parents to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their individualized educational needs.
• Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and other professionals to develop students' educational, physical, and social/emotional development.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
• Develop plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow‑up of students in inclusive classroom settings.
• Provide crisis intervention, as needed, for students across the school.
• Assist in collection of data for providing appropriate classroom interventions.
• Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
• Assist in preparation of data for local, state, and federal reports.
• Maintain professional competence by participating in staff development activities, curriculum development meetings, and other professional opportunities.
• Perform related work as required.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates.
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents, administrators.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement social skills groups.
• Ability to implement and utilize positive behavioral intervention strategies and de‑escalation strategies.

• Appropriate MA DESE Certification Required in Moderate Disabilities (Prek‑8 or 5‑12).
• Massachusetts Certification in Elementary 1‑6, Preferred (if applicable).
• Master's Degree Preferred.
• Experience working with students within inclusion, small group and individual settings.
• Experience working with students with social/emotional needs preferred.
• Experience working with Elementary students.
• Experience delivering specialized instruction targeting individual student goals.
• SEI Endorsement Course Required.

BTA Contract

BTA

• Physically capable of escorting students from the building in case of a practice drill or emergency situation in a safe and timely fashion.
• Must be able to move about the classroom and have the ability to bend, sit or stand frequently.

Building Principal

Students & Support Staff