School Year 26/27 Special Education Teacher- Language Based Gr. 6-8

Lynn Public Schools • Lynn, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Lynn Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Teacher for a Language Based program serving students in Grades 6-8 with Specific Learning Disabilities. These students exhibit significant learning disabilities impacting phonological awareness, language comprehension, literacy, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, memory, oral narratives, and executive functioning. Their academic progress is significantly impeded and cannot be explained by other factors. The program maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 1 teacher to a maximum of 12 students, with an aide also present. The educator is the primary instructional delivery person, responsible for student achievement and growth. This role requires strong relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with expertise in content knowledge and teaching strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Valid license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8, or 5 - 12, Severe Disabilities, All Levels
• SEI Endorsement
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism, and bias, and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities
• Knowledge of current education legislation/regulations
• Ability to work effectively with teachers, support staff, and parents and advocate for children in order to effectively problem solve
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work with all stakeholders
• Ability to meet the expectations of the Massachusetts Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree preferred
• Additional content area licensure is encouraged
• Experience in an urban district/setting preferred

Responsibilities

• Responsible for effective planning and assessment of curriculum and instruction.
• Meets and instructs assigned students in the locations and at the time designated.
• Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
• Responsible for effective instruction and culturally responsive teaching which includes making learning goals clear to the students, using appropriate instructional and questioning techniques.
• Provide small-group instruction to students diagnosed with from moderate to severe cognitive delays to ensure understanding and progress in the general curriculum.
• Write and implement goals and objectives consistent with student Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and provide timely and regular progress reports on student development.
• Provide needed accommodations for student learning and testing when required.
• Collaborate as a team member within school building in supporting other staff members to respond to student needs for modification.
• Responsible for using innovative approaches and instructional strategies, including the effective use of technologies, to increase student learning and confidence to learn.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Responsible for the promotion of high standards and expectations for student achievement and behavior.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum standards and establishes clear objectives which reflect these standards for all lessons, units, and projects.
• Implements the district's mission, philosophy of education and instructional standards and objectives.
• Assesses and documents the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required.
• Documents the learning problems of students and seeks the assistance of district specialists as required.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Assists administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, maintaining order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence especially as relates to the specific assignment and student grade and subject area appropriateness.
• Attends staff meetings as required.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with others.
• Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with students, colleagues, and parents concerning both the broad academic and behavioral progress of assigned students.
• Responsible for the promotion of equity and appreciation of diversity to ensure equitable opportunities for student learning, including, for implementing specific strategies for students with special needs, with 504 plans and/or second language learners.
• Establish and maintain a safe, nurturing and engaging learning environment with standards of student behavior that promote positive social and academic experiences.
• Regularly engage with families and extended community members in support of creating a collaborative learning environment that fosters equity for all learners.
• Utilize curricula that reflect the diverse educational, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds of the students served.
• Responsible to support students with disabilities in a general education setting.
• Responsible to support and differentiate learning for students who are second language learners.
• Performance of other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive health and dental benefits; Harvard Pilgrim PPO/HMO, Altus Dental High/Low, and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
• Short Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability

What This Job Offers

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