Special education Teacher, substantially separate program, Pre K-1

Special education Teacher, substantially separate program, Pre K-1

Gill-Montague Regional School District Hillcrest Elementary School
- Turners Falls, Massachusetts
- Open in Google Maps

• Job : 5814653
• Final date to receive applications: Posted until filled
• Posted: Jul 02, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date: To Be Determined
• Position Type: Full-time
• Job Categories: Special Education >
  General Special Education

Seeking a dedicated, empathetic, and highly skilled Special Education Teacher to lead our Substantially Separate classroom serving students in Preschool through Grade 1.

In this role, you will support a small cohort of young learners with significant complex learning, communication, sensory, and behavioral needs. Because this is a substantially separate setting, your focus will be on creating a highly structured, predictable, and nurturing environment. You will tailor foundational academic, developmental, and life skills to each child's unique Individualized Education Program/IEP goals, ensuring our youngest students have a positive and safe introduction to school.

• Instruction & IEP Implementation:
  Design and deliver specialized, multi-sensory instruction aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, heavily modified to meet individual developmental levels. Write, implement, and track progress on IEP goals.
• Classroom Environment:
  Establish a highly structured, predictable, and visually supported classroom routine (using tools like visual schedules and token economies) to help students navigate their day.
• Behavioral Support:
  Implement positive behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) and utilize trauma-informed, de-escalation strategies. Supervise and coordinate with behavior technicians or BCBAs to support students with intense behavioral needs.
• Collaboration & Team Leadership:
  Direct and collaborate with classroom paraprofessionals to ensure instructional and safety consistency. Partner closely with related service providers (Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists) to integrate therapy goals into daily classroom routines.
• Communication:
  Maintain frequent, supportive, and transparent communication with families, providing daily or weekly updates on student progress, behavior, and milestones.

• Licensure:
  Valid Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) license in Severe Disabilities (All Levels) or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8), depending on the specific profile of the student.
• Skills:
  
  Deep understanding of child development and early literacy/numeracy; proficiency with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and assistive technology; training in crisis intervention and de-escalation methods (e.g., Safety-Care, CPI) or willingness to become certified.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

• Cynthia Sheehy, Principal
• 30 Griswold Street
• Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376
• Phone:
• Email:
  Cynthia.
  
  Sheehy