Special Education LINKS-Autism Teacher

Springfield Public Schools • Springfield, MA

1d

About The Position

The Special Education LINKS-Autism Teacher helps students learn subject matter and skills that contribute to their development as mature, capable, responsible, and productive citizens. The teacher plans and delivers instruction suited to students’ individual needs, interests, abilities, and learning challenges, while creating a classroom environment conducive to learning. The role involves assessing student progress, maintaining required records, communicating with families, and collaborating with district specialists and paraprofessionals.

The teacher implements district curriculum goals and educational expectations, participates in professional growth and evaluation processes, attends building and district meetings, and contributes to decisions concerning budgets, facilities, curriculum, and staff well-being. The position requires appropriate Massachusetts licensure for teaching students with severe or moderate disabilities. A master’s degree with the appropriate content-area license at the high-school level is preferred and expected within five years.

Requirements

• Be highly qualified, with required competency in the content area.
• Hold appropriate content- and grade-level licensure.
• Hold a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Teacher of Severe or Moderate Disability license (PK–8 or 5–12).
• Hold a bachelor’s degree with the appropriate license.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree with the appropriate content-area license at the high-school level is preferred and expected within five years.

Responsibilities

• Meet and instruct assigned classes at designated locations and times.
• Plan programs of study that address students’ individual needs, interests, and abilities.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to students’ maturity and interests.
• Guide learning toward district curriculum goals and communicate clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
• Prepare for assigned classes and provide written evidence of preparation when requested by the immediate supervisor, as required by the teachers’ contract.
• Use varied instructional techniques and media suited to the location and the needs and capabilities of students.
• Implement the district’s educational philosophy, instructional goals, objectives, and performance expectations through instruction and conduct.
• Regularly assess student accomplishments, provide required progress reports, and communicate with parents as needed.
• Maintain accurate and complete records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Regularly diagnose student learning challenges and seek assistance from district specialists as needed.
• Take necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Follow the SPS classroom code of conduct and establish and fairly enforce classroom behavior rules consistent with administrative policies.
• Plan and supervise paraprofessional assignments and provide written evaluations as required.
• Maintain professional growth that meets district requirements and personal professional expectations.
• Participate in the contractually approved teacher evaluation process and contribute to mutual agreement concerning evaluation results.
• Attend building and district meetings held during the extended day to support communication and shared decision-making among staff.
• Attend traditional school-sponsored activities, such as Back to School Night, Open House, programs, and activities, as agreed upon by the building administrator and faculty in accordance with the teachers’ contract.
• Contribute to district and building decisions regarding budgets, facilities, curriculum, and personal well-being.
• Strive to maintain and improve professional competence.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and benefits.
• Professional development opportunities for all staff.
• Mentoring and support from instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches throughout the year, including in lesson planning, data analysis, and management.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs that help staff achieve a college degree or pursue certification pathways.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level