SY Special Education Teacher

Job Description

Special Education Teacher - Upper School

Special education teachers are overseen by the Associate Head and report directly to the Director of Student Support (upper school) in fulfilling all responsibilities.

Working individually and collaboratively, Thornton Academy special education teachers develop and provide appropriate, meaningful, and coherent learning experiences that match, challenge, and extend students’ knowledge and skills; assess student progress regularly through a range of methods; incorporate digital age tools and resources to apply learning to authentic, real‑world problems; and utilize best practices and assessment data in planning and delivering curriculum and instruction.

• Have and/or develop a high level of expertise and knowledge in content, curriculum development, and pedagogy.
• Be professionally reflective and growth‑oriented, recognize strengths, address limitations, accept constructive guidance, pursue professional development opportunities, and participate in school improvement efforts.
• Demonstrate the genuine patience, flexibility, and enthusiasm necessary for working with adolescents.
• Recognize the need for appropriate boundaries with students, establishing positive, helpful, and supportive relationships while avoiding becoming a friend, confidant, or counselor to individual students.
• Adhere to the highest professional standards in all interactions and communications with fellow members of the Thornton Academy community (faculty, students, and colleagues).
• Ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, communicate effectively, mediate conflict, and adapt quickly to rapidly changing situations.

• Plan and prepare thoroughly to use traditional and contemporary tools and resources to facilitate and inspire student learning.
• Promote, support, and model creative thinking.
• Engage students in exploring real‑world issues and solving authentic problems.
• Consult with mainstream teachers to support inclusion in the broader school community.
• Complete necessary special education paperwork and assessments within specified timelines.
• Establish and administer an effective and appropriate classroom management system that teaches, promotes, and models attributes of good citizenship and societal responsibility in both personal and digital forums.
• Plan and provide purposeful academic instruction that is clear, coherent, and appropriately differentiated, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional.
• Design and utilize digital‑age assessments to monitor, evaluate, follow up, and track student progress.
• Communicate regularly, honestly, and respectfully with parents/guardians and colleagues.
• Be thoroughly familiar with safety and emergency protocols and procedures, and follow them reliably as required.
• Work continuously to improve practice, act collegially, and exhibit leadership within the Thornton Academy professional community.
• Accept and meet professional responsibilities within the school as a whole, knowing and accepting job obligations outlined in the faculty/staff handbook and/or assigned by the Headmaster.

• Valid Maine Certification 282 or 286.
• Experience working in special education at the secondary level preferred.

• Letter of interest.
• Current resume.
• Completed “Employee Instructional Staff” application form.
• College transcript (unofficial/student‑issued copy acceptable, official copy may be requested later).
• Contact information for three work‑related references.
• Evidence of current/active CHRC certificate (required by Maine law).
• Candidate must be willing to undergo a background check and fingerprinting by the State of Maine.

All materials should be submitted electronically to lisa.estabrook. Please note “Special Education Teacher - TAMS” in the Subject line. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. If electronic submission is not possible, materials may be mailed to:
Lisa Estabrook, Thornton Academy, 438 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072.

The Thornton Academy Board of Trustees has adopted a non‑discrimination policy. Thornton Academy considers all applicants without regard to race, age, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital, veteran, or any other legally protected status.