Job Title:Special Education Classroom Teacher – Full Time
Location: 10 Oak Park Drive Bedford MA 01730
Schedule: Full Time; Monday – Friday, 8:30-3:30
Supervisor: Special Education Mentor/Director of Clinical Operations
Position Summary: The Special Education Classroom Teacher will be responsible for designing and implementing tailored educational programs for students with disabilities. The SPED teacher will develop lesson plans, instructional materials, and provide small group instruction using incidental and naturalistic teaching techniques to groups of 3-6 students. Lesson plans are not developed using commercial curriculum. Lesson plans are developed by the SPED teacher to address the unique learning needs of each group, both across academic and social areas (examples include, but are not limited to: group 1 works on following directions plus introductory science concepts and group 2 works history, and group 3 works on current events and how they relate to history). Utilizing naturalistic teaching methods, the SPED teacher will create an environment that encourages learning through observation, and exploration. Additionally, the SPED teacher role will involve employing incidental teaching techniques, which capitalize on spontaneous learning opportunities within everyday activities. The SPED teacher will work collaboratively with each student’s Clinical Director and team to ensure content is carried over during daily instruction and materials supplement learning appropriately.
Responsibilities:
Position Specific Responsibilities
- Collaboration with multiple clinical staff and leads on IEP objectives and to ensure a unified approach to student development.
- Comfortability being observed with and without notice for clinics, tours and overlaps.
- Implement positive behavior support strategies to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
- Work closely with clinical staff to address challenging behaviors effectively.
- Conduct ongoing assessments to evaluate students' progress and adjust teaching strategies accordingly. Create and administer pre/post-tests. Efficient communication with teams to provide results.
- Maintain accurate records of students' achievements, challenges, and goals.
- Collaboration with SLPs to address student language objectives.
- Observe and identify spontaneous teaching moments during daily activities.
- Seize opportunities to teach relevant skills and concepts naturally, integrating them into the context of the moment.
- Must be organized, energetic and have strong time management skills.
- Must be able to provide lessons and run each group at the scheduled time.
- Must be flexible with student’s schedules, communication and collaboration.
- Conveying content in creative and engaging ways.
- Provide needed accommodations for student learning and testing when required
- Scaffolds and differentiates instruction for each group’s ability.
- Uses instructional practices that are likely to challenge, motivate, and engage all students and facilitate equitable, active student participation.
- Builds an effective, engaging and productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the classroom community.
- Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected.
- Motivate students to develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation, in accordance with each student's ability.
- Establish and maintain necessary standards of student behavior.
- Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
- Complete other related duties as requested and meets regularly with supervisor
General Responsibilities
o Reporting to work promptly at:
· 8:30am and remaining at work until 3:30pm (unless their responsibilities require them to come in earlier or stay later, which will occasionally occur). 15 minutes may be flexed before/after school hours as long as the employee works the required minimum 7 hours per day and their responsibilities for the day have been completed.
o Following NLG’s emergency procedures (administering SOLVE strategies, First Aid or CPR), whenever needed.
o Ensuring the safety and well-being of all students within NLG and while out in the community.
o Attendance at the following:
· Staff Meetings: All staff members are required to attend any mandatory staff meetings as scheduled.
· Trainings: All staff members are required to participate in a minimum of 24 training hours each year. Staff will be assigned mandatory trainings to complete on Paycom. Additional trainings that fulfill this requirement can be found on Paycom, NLG University, and occasionally are provided by external trainers on the half days.
o Maintenance of the following certifications:
· CPR & First Aid
· The initial and renewal trainings are provided by NLG. The initial training occurs during the Orientation week. Renewal trainings are communicated by NLG’s Nursing Department as necessary.
· SOLVE (see Physical Job Capabilities
· The initial and renewal trainings are provided by NLG. The initial 16-20 hour training occurs within the first 3 months of employment. Staff members are expected to participate in an annual 1.5 hour refresher course to be scheduled via Paycom.
· SPED License Preferred
Please note: The essential functions listed in this section are not limited only to the tasks listed and may include other duties as assigned.
Supervision and Performance Assessment:
o Nashoba Learning Group adheres to the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in its management of employees as well as in its teaching of children. Performance requirements are clearly specified, performance is measured frequently, feedback is given immediately and mastery of particular skills allows access to higher-level skills. Reinforcement is tied to performance in the form of pay, professional development opportunities, and recognition.
o This position will be evaluated/assessed annually by Supervisor on general performance, cooperation, and teamwork.
Qualifications:
o Applicants must hold a SPED license or be actively working towards obtaining a severe special education licensure. If not currently pursuing a severe special education license, the successful candidate will be expected to commence licensure immediately upon employment
o Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask
o At least two references that will attest to the staff’s interpersonal skills, energy, work ethic, ability to work on a team, leadership skills, integrity, and ability to accept and learn from feedback
o Satisfactory results for new hire and recurring background and CORI check
o A driver’s license in good standing
o Thorough knowledge of NLG’s policies and procedures
o Thorough knowledge of NLG’s daily operations and guidelines
Physical Job Capabilities:
Physical Job Requirements of this job include:
o Physically capable of keeping students/members safe and in close proximity at all times, particularly during outings
o Safely implement crisis prevention techniques and restraining members 50 pounds up to and in excess of 125 pounds when necessary
Physical Movements Required for Safe Implementation of Crisis Prevention Techniques:
o Quick and abrupt movements of upper and lower body (moving quickly, brisk and vigorous use of hands and arms)
o Rotating upper torso movements
o Arm and hand movements to grasp, range of motion movement with upper body and arms
o Balance
o Lifting and lowering (bending at knees repeatedly)
o Prolonged duration of exertion with both upper and lower body, being in one position for periods of time
NLG is committed to the philosophy and principles of equal employment opportunity. It is the policy of NLG to recruit, hire, train, and promote the most qualified candidates regardless of any race, age, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, protected genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. NLG expects all employees to support its equal opportunity objective.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
Grade school specialties:
- Elementary school
- Middle school
Physical setting:
- Private school
- Special education school
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- No nights
- No weekends
Ability to Relocate:
- Bedford, MA 01730: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person