Special Education Teacher - RISE Program

New Bedford Public Schools•New Bedford, MA

39d

About The Position

RISE Academy- Reaching Independence through Supportive Education RISE Academy is New Bedford Public School's elementary level Social/Emotional Program for students grade Pre-K to grade 5. RISE is a separate, highly specialized educational program within Pulaski Elementary School, New Bedford Public School's performing arts magnet school. In addition to providing RISE students highly structured individualized special education services, our students participate in Pulaski Elementary School's full range of specialists' classes in art, gym, health, music, and dance. The guiding principle at RISE Academy is our belief that behavior is communication and there is no such thing as a bad child. We understand that RISE students often present with unmet needs, lagging skills, and misdirected energy. We choose to see the good in ALL our students by focusing on relationship building and the power of connection. At RISE our goal is for all our students to successfully return to their general education classroom within their neighborhood school A RISE Special Education Teacher is responsible for day-to-day management of the classroom and provision of instruction, including development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals, assessment, and curriculum design. A RISE teacher is responsible for the supervision of classroom staff, ongoing parent contact, and collaboration with behavior support staff and community collateral contacts. RISE Academy is a highly specialized special education program that provides individualized services to students with social/emotional disabilities. These students can exhibit severe behavioral dysregulation and may require the use of Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) supports to manage behaviors that place that student and/or others at risk. As a result, any teacher applying to the position must be willing to participate in ongoing CPI professional development. The Special Education Teacher is responsible for day to day management of the classroom and provision of instruction, including development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals, assessment, and curriculum design. The teacher is also responsible for the supervision of classroom staff and ongoing parent contact. The teacher is expected to collaborate with general education/special education teachers to ensure student needs are met.

Requirements

Minimum of bachelor's degree in special education or related field
Certification as a Special Education teacher
Knowledge in the area of developmental disabilities
Familiar with special education assessment tools
Knowledge of curriculum design and development
Knowledge of MA Curriculum Frameworks and MCAS alternative assessments
Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing the provision of Special Education and the Special Education process

Responsibilities

Design and carryout developmentally appropriate motivating curriculum/programming as warranted by IEP goals/MA curriculum framework
Develop data collection systems using curriculum based and school wide progress monitoring tools to monitor progress towards goals and standards
Implement behavior and incentive plans and maintain data to support children's behavior and social emotional needs.
Guide classroom support staff in implementing activities that support children's goals and other areas of need and in collecting data.
Provide direct individual and/or group instruction through inclusion and/or resource models
Provide trans-disciplinary programming through consultation with professional and therapeutic staff
Conduct thorough educational evaluations, developmental assessments, and/or progress monitoring necessary for quarterly progress reports, annual assessment and re-evaluations
When scheduled, prepare MCAS alternate assessment on students assigned
Provide assistance in ADLs for students as necessary
Implement social skills training approaches and programs
Utilize various techniques to provide sensory diets for students
Initiate and support the use of assistive technology to provide access to the curriculum and to support communication as necessary
Support the transition of students within the classroom and building by using positive behavior supports, visuals, and developmentally appropriate interventions.
Daily maintenance of supplies, equipment, and departmental space
Organize daily schedule to meet caseload requirements and uses indirect time appropriately
Consult with staff in other discipline areas to improve programming
Facilitate ongoing parent communication and encourage family involvement
With the guidance of the team facilitator or Supervisor and in collaboration with required team members, develop appropriate individual IEPs consistent with District expectations and all applicable laws and regulations
Participation in ongoing professional development in the Special Education Department and in your school(s) to support the implementation of School and District initiatives and goals
Other duties as outlined by the Special Education Director or Designee