Teacher- Special Education Autism​/ABA Elementary

Job Description

Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 5,100 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.

• We intentionally build a community that is anti‑racist, inclusive, and culturally responsive.
• We ensure that students, families, and staff get the support they need to be successful.
• We seek out and incorporate the voices of those impacted, with a commitment to include those who have been excluded in the past.
• We promote access and inclusion for all students, staff, and families.
• We respect, embrace, and honor the diversity of our students, families, staff, and community.
• We reflect on our own behavior to minimize harm to others.
• We create a culture of acceptance and empathy so that everyone feels valued and is able to contribute to our community’s success.

Holyoke Public Schools seeks a highly qualified full‑time ABA Teacher to provide specialized instruction for elementary students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or related neurodiverse disabilities, in a self‑contained classroom. This program emphasizes academic instruction, daily living skills, social development, independence skills, behavioral support, and inclusion readiness through use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) instructional methodologies. The teacher collaborates with a Board‑Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), ABA para‑educators, behavioral technicians, related service providers, and families to ensure students receive comprehensive support and access to inclusive learning opportunities as appropriate.

• Implement district‑approved curriculum and ABA instructional strategies, including discrete trial instruction (DTI), functional communication training (FCT), incidental teaching, and generalization training.
• Develop and deliver individualized and group lesson plans based on student needs.
• Conduct skills‑based and academic assessments to determine goals and appropriate programming.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in compliance with IDEA and FAPE regulations.
• Maintain accurate records, document student progress, and ensure confidentiality of special education files.
• Implement behavior management strategies or formal behavior support plans (BSP) to support skill development and reduce challenging behaviors.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including general education staff, BCBA, OT, PT, Speech/Language Pathologists, and other specialists.
• Train, supervise, and provide guidance to classroom‑based support staff.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance specialized instructional skills.
• Build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Participate in staff meetings, committees, and other school‑based initiatives as assigned.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by building and district administration and coaches.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in an ABA setting and/or working with autistic and/or neurodiverse students.
• At least one year of experience supervising classroom staff, preferred.
• Proficiency in implementing ABA strategies and inclusionary practices.
• Familiarity with research‑based assessments and curriculum tools (i.e., ABLLS‑R, AFLS, VB‑MAP, Teachtown, STAR Program) preferred.
• Strong skills in data‑driven instruction and curriculum planning.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, diverse student populations, and urban school settings preferred.
• Proficiency in integrating technology and media into instruction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply.

• Massachusetts Educator Licensure in MOD DIS PK‑8, SEVERE DIS PK‑8

Holyoke Public Schools