Special Educator - Therapeutic Academic Program; TAP

Special Educator - Therapeutic Academic Program (TAP)

Portsmouth School Department – Portsmouth Middle School – Portsmouth, Rhode Island

• Job : 5824901
• Final date to receive applications: Jul 18, 2026 11:59 PM (UTC)
• Posted: Jul 10, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date: Aug 26, 2026
• Position Type: Full-time

JOB TITLE: Therapeutic Academic Program Special Education Teacher

REPORTS TO: Building Administrator

POSITION SUMMARY: The Therapeutic Academic Program (TAP) Special Educator supports students requiring SEL support beyond tier 2 to access the general education setting. The educator plans and provides individualized and specialized instruction that delivers an appropriate and rigorous learning experience for students with SEL needs as outlined in an IEP or RTI plan. The program emphasizes collaboration with families, engaging students in their learning, and supporting colleagues with strategies that enable successful educational access.

• Adheres to the policies and related directives of the Portsmouth School Department.
• Promotes the attainment of the District’s Mission Vision, and Strategic Plan.
• Provides direct academic and social/emotional instruction.
• Coordinates paraprofessionals working with students throughout the school setting.
• Collaborates with general education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, district BCBA, direct providers, and other special educators.
• Designs and implements Individual Educational Programs to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities and completes IEP progress reporting in a timely fashion.
• Follows the student IEP and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, including the delivery of high‑quality services, and the provision of accommodations/modifications for instruction and assessment.
• Develops/modifies social, emotional, academic curriculum, and behavioral programs for a wide variety of learning profiles.
• Supports the development of and implements Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Manages and de‑escalates challenging behaviors.
• Collects data using progress monitoring tools and reports student progress to service providers and family.
• Provides co‑teaching and inclusion support.
• Communicates effectively with parent/guardian to support a positive home‑school relationship.
• Demonstrates the ability to work with students with autism, social/emotional diagnoses, and behavioral challenges.
• Implements a social‑emotional curriculum.
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned by the building Principal or Director of Student Services.
• Member of the building safety care team.

• Currently certified by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as a Secondary Special Education Teacher in Grades 6‑12 or Special Education K‑6 or Special Education K‑8.
• Safety Cares Certified.
• Restorative Practices Training preferred.
• Demonstrated awareness of and/or proficiency in the Science of Reading in accordance with Rhode Island’s Right to Read Act.
• Completion of an approved Right to Read training program or possession of current certification of proficiency or awareness (out‑of‑state teachers may be granted one year from hire to complete the required training).

• Communicate and detect information at levels to be able to make presentations and exchange information in person and on the telephone.
• Express oneself so others will be able to clearly understand.
• Constantly operate a computer keyboard and manipulate paper.
• Detect, determine, perceive and identify documentation and reports, and observe students.
• Meet multiple demands from several people and meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, indoors and outdoors, and move and traverse to maintain a safe learning environment.
• Stamina to work irregular or extended hours, including a full day and attending meetings or supervising evening events.
• Work at a desk, conference table, small student classroom table, or in meetings in various configurations.
• Position self to retrieve items overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally.
• Move and transport…