Special Education Teacher

Position Overview

Assabet Valley Collaborative is seeking a Special Education Teacher for our Therapeutic Day School, Orchard Street Academy (OSA) serving grades 5th–12th.

• Believing that students succeed with positive reinforcement and behavioral supports.
• Prioritizing an instructional focus blending social‑emotional learning, culturally relevant teaching, Universal Design for Learning, and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
• Empowering and fostering student problem‑solving and independent decision‑making skills.
• Co‑designing and adapting a comprehensive curriculum to meet personalized learning needs through individual, small group, and whole group activities.
• Balancing high academic and behavioral expectations with necessary accommodations and modifications.
• Co‑designing and collaborating with families/guardians, sending districts, and providers.
• Partnering with students and stakeholders to develop, present, and implement team‑drafted IEPs.
• Collaboration with para educators for effective curriculum development and IEP accommodations.
• Working with team members to create student‑centered assessments and sustainable data systems that inform instruction and generate progress reports.
• Completing required documentation.
• Demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to evolving student and school needs.
• Participating in professional development and community events.
• Complying with collaborative policies and procedures.
• Performing all other duties as assigned.

• Ability to engage with conflict and core tensions.
• Bilingual or multilingual (a plus).
• Ability to thrive within a team while working independently.
• Encourages and fosters passion and enthusiasm for teaching and learning.
• Adherence to federal, state, and local laws (FERPA, HIPAA, IDEA).
• Experience working in schools, nonprofits, and human service organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Massachusetts DESE licensure in Moderate Special Needs, 5th–12th.
• Dual licensure in Moderate Special Needs with at least one additional core content area is highly desired.

185‑day schedule. Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Summer hours available but not required. This is an active position requiring frequent physical movement and training to intervene per AVC Physical Restraint protocol.

Annual evaluation in accordance with the Assabet Valley Collaborative personnel handbook and applicable regulations.

• Competitive salary within the public school employees sector (salary schedule with steps and lanes).
• School year (185 days) with additional summer hours available at additional compensation.
• 3 personal days, 10 sick days.
• 75% health insurance premiums covered by AVC.
• High‑deductible Health Insurance Plan with Health Savings Account (AVC contributes 50% of deductible into your HSA).
• Participation in Massachusetts state pension systems (MTRS or MSERS).
• Voluntary benefits:
  Flexible Spending, Life, Short‑term, Long‑term Insurance;
  Dental.