Special Education Teacher: Preschool (CPPI Grant)

Fitchburg School District•Fitchburg, MA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is part of the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grant, focused on expanding access to quality preschool, building local quality, and ensuring equitable access to special education and inclusion. The Special Education Teacher will observe students to identify academic and developmental skill needs, offer Tier 1/2 suggestions, provide coaching, maintain records, and communicate student progress and recommend growth opportunities to faculty. The role involves collaborating with preschool itinerant teams, traveling between multiple sites, providing learning experiences aligned with state and district standards, differentiating instruction using an RTI framework, and implementing the district's and CPPI's missions. The teacher will document student progress, complete evaluations, manage classrooms effectively, promote high student achievement standards, and utilize innovative teaching strategies, including technology. Additionally, the role may involve suggesting home-based activities for students' motor skill development.

Requirements

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education license in: Moderate disabilities Prek-8; SEI Endorsement
Demonstrated experience supporting students with special needs
Knowledge of current education legislation/regulations
Ability to work effectively with teachers, support staff, and parents, and advocate for children to effectively problem-solve
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work with all stakeholders
Belief in the commitment to increasing personal growth, both academic and social-emotional, to obtain the highest level of achievement for every student.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred
Early childhood and urban experience preferred
Clinical Fellows considered

Responsibilities

Observe all students to determine preschool learners with academic and developmental skill needs.
Offer Tier 1/2 suggestions.
Provide coaching.
Keep appropriate records.
Inform faculty about observed growth and recommend specific opportunities for school/home growth in academics.
Collaborate with preschool itinerant teams, including OT, SPED Teacher, and S/L Pathologist.
Travel between several sites in partnership with city preschools, including, but not limited to, YMCA, and Head Start.
Provide learning experiences guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and district standards and requirements, while creating an environment that is conducive to student learning.
Differentiate instruction and provide appropriate opportunities for learning using response to intervention (RTI) framework.
Implement the district's mission, philosophy of education, and instructional standards and objectives as well as CPPI’s mission.
Document the progress and/or concerns of students and seek the assistance of additional district specialists as required.
Complete any necessary evaluations that measure progress according to professional guidelines.
Monitor and supervise students through effective classroom management.
Promote high standards and expectations for student achievement.
Be responsible for using innovative approaches, and instructional strategies including the effective use of technologies, to increase student learning and confidence to learn.
Follow professional practices consistent with the district's policies in working with students, parents, and preschool colleagues.
Suggest activities families can do with their child to assist and supplement the student's fine and gross motor skills.